"It was a good way to help a good cause and we had the rink," recalls Innamorati. "When I decided which charity [for the show to benefit], I read an article in Newsweek about it and I felt it was a good cause because family members have it and it hit too close to home."
Innamorati was one of the best figure skaters in the area before graduating from Staples and is now attending Northwestern University. The available rink he's referring to is The Rinks at Shelton, which is co-owned by Westporter Alan Phillips and Westonite Howard Saffan and they have donated the rink all three years. Skate for a Cure had its third annual show Saturday night and although the crowd was smaller than the previous two years with many believing that the show's proximity to the Fourth of July caused the smaller crowd, the show was still a success.
One, money was raised to fight a debilitating disease and all funds that are raised makes a cure more realistic. Two, 2007 U.S. men's figure skating silver medalist Ryan Bradley and reigning U.S. National Pairs Silver Medalist Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov dazzled the crowd with their moves on the ice. Three, many other local skaters, including two who have juvenile diabetes, one who wears an insulin pump at all times, were also stellar on the ice. Lastly, everyone in attendance enjoyed the show and their enthusiasm was evident throughout the evening.
"We skate for the art of skating and performing and skating for a cause like that meant a lot," says Bradley. "This hit home to me because my coach's [Tom Zakrajsek] daughter [Madison] was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and to skate tonight was special."
Leah Agler and Martin Nirschel were the executive producers of the show. Agler, a junior at Adelphi University, was a North Atlantic Regional medalist, led off the night and along with her mother, Yelena, recruited the skaters for the show.
"I've been skating for 11 years and I love going out there and entertaining and I love having a purpose so it can be deep," says Leah Agler. "I'm skating because I want to feel what I'm skating for. I don't know what I can do [to find a cure for juvenile diabetes], but if I can raise money by skating, that's great."
Brogan Kavanagh of Newburgh, N.Y., is a North Atlantic Regional Medalist and was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 8, the year of her first competition. Kavanagh wears an insulin pump at all times. MacCaille Peturrson, age 16, of Simsbury has been skating for nine years and is a New England Regional competitor. Peturrson was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes five years ago.
Both Kavanagh and Peturrson sparkled on the ice and were an inspiration to others.
"She [Kavanagh] has two things in her life to make it tough and I'm thankful I'm healthy and I have a gift," says Leah Agler. "I don't want to receive anything and I want to give. If people can overcome this, then I should be able to excel and be great at what I set out to do. There are no excuses not to excel and to be the best I can be. Everyone who came were great."
Nirschel says, "It shows it's a serious disease, but you can overcome it and live a competitive life."
Nirschel's eldest daughter Annie, 12, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes one week before turning 4, has done well in life, becoming one of Manhattan's top child voice-over stars, doing various commercials. The younger Nirschel, Phoebe Louise Bodurtha, who both sang during a routine in each half, and emcee Frank Simms also enhanced the show.
"Skating is a great thing for them because it takes their mind off of it temporarily and it's great they are able to do it," says Bradley on Kavanagh and Peturrson. "Just having to deal with diabetes takes discipline because they have to watch what they eat and take their insulin. They are great for the sport because they treat their bodies well and they are well-disciplined."
No matter what sports you play or
teams you root for, winning this
battle is more important than all
the battles on the court, field,
mats, ice and water. Finding a cure
for juvenile diabetes should be a
cause we're all united in and
everyone who helped put this night
together deserves every plaudit they
get. To contribute to the JDRF
Fairfield County chapter, send your
checks to JDRF at 200 Connecticut
Ave., Suite 5H, Norwalk, CT, 06854.
For information, call 854-0658. The
address of the main headquarters is
JDRF International, 120 Wall St.,
19th floor, New York, New York,
10005.