Welcoming New Board Member Larry Deist!

My name is Larry Deist and I began working with the Rally Foundation in August of 2008 when I was asked to coordinate a charity fundraising effort where I work. I was put in touch with Dean Crowe through a mutual friend and I met with her to see what the needs of Rally were and to see if we could help.

From the first moment she explained Rally’s mission, I was hooked. It was also a day when she on her way to visit Alexa Rorbach, (who I now credit as the angel who changed my life) in the hospital.

Her fight was so courageous it just touched my heart. Dean told me that if I wanted others to get involved, all I had to do was show the Rally video. I was skeptical until I viewed it and saw Alexa and her beautiful smile closing with “Fighting cancer was hard, but here I am still making the best of each day. Please help me and kids like me by joining the Rally for childhood cancer research.”

The rest, as they say, is history. I did indeed show that video and with the help of tons of volunteers we were able to raise a sizable amount of money for Rally in a few months.

Since that event, I have been involved in the last two Benefits Bashes and last year’s Celebrity Softball Game. I was even inspired by “Rally Kid” Catherine Rowan to become a Rally Athlete and successfully completed the Disney Marathon this past January.

I have met some of the most amazing volunteers and even more amazing children and their families who fight cancer every day. I am inspired by those who take the time to support Rally and certainly humbled every time I pick up the phone and speak with one of the staff or volunteers. Their spirit is infectious! I am thrilled to be a part of Rally through the Gentlemen’s Committee and the Board of Directors. I look forward to helping in any way I can in the future and hope that Alexa would be proud. She was truly an angel. Rally On!