Tom Patania - Isabella Santos Foundation’s “Dream Team”

Story: Julie Smith   Photo: Katherine Williams

"As a fundraiser and coach, I know how gratifying it is to run for something much bigger than yourself,” said Tom Patania, better known as Coach Tom. “I wanted to create a team that would honor Isabella and help kids that are fighting cancer right now." Patania wanted to find a local charity that was making a difference in his community. He came across the Isabella Santos Foundation’s video and immediately fell in love with this child whom he would never have the opportunity to meet. Isabella lost her battle to neuroblastoma in 2012 at age 7. Patania felt compelled to act, so he started “the Dream Team,” an endurance running program that that raises money for the Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) while training for half and full marathons. “From all the stories I have heard about her, she wouldn't have it any other way,” he says. “As a team, we are motivated to fight for our cause and draw inspiration from one another to achieve our goals.” Since the original season in 2014 with 25 runners, the Dream Team has grown to over 100 runners with a goal of raising $150,000 this season. Says Coach Tom: “Raising money for pediatric cancer will one day be a thing of the past, but until then, we run.”

To donate to Dream Team: https://www.firstgiving.com/IsabellaSantosRun/2016-isabellas-dream-team