Inspirational and uplifting event, sparked by Sachem alum, kicks off with massive support from community
The Sachem community was shocked when Matt “Dezy” DiStefano was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer. Rallying behind one of its own, the community quickly adopted the motto #DezyStrong.
The latest and largest show of support was the Dezy Classic golf outing at Mill Pond on Monday, August 5. Hundreds flocked to the course and the dinner as Dezy and his friends and family officially launched the DezyStrong Foundation.
“When people find out they have cancer, they think their life is over,” said DiStefano. “For me it’s different. For me it’s the beginning of something special in life. A life in which I can help others change their way of mentally approaching the disease, learning to be a warrior, a fighter, and have hope.”
DiStefano, a Sachem alum, teacher and coach, is using his illness as a platform to help others. The foundation’s first honorees were Kaelyn McCandless, Jeff Killian, and Kayla Spero.
Killian, a 1994 Sachem graduate, ran track and cross-country and was a close childhood friend of DiStefano. He lost his battle with cancer 19 years ago and a donation was made to the Jeffery P. Killian Memorial Scholarship at Fairfield University.
Spero, 15, a Sachem student who recently passed away after a valiant battle with cancer, was represented by her family at the event. McCandless, 10, of Lindenhurst, has been battling brain cancer for nearly three years.
The DezyStrong Foundation also partnered with The Ferro Foundation to award scholarships to Dominic Pikura (St. Francis College, Brooklyn) and Ben Naouai (Johnson & Wales).
DiStefano, an inductee of the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame and College of Mount St. Vincent Hall of Fame for his volleyball efforts, has vowed to keep fighting on behalf of others.
“I prefer to say that I am going to conquer this disease,” he said. “I will control it, rather than have it control me. This is why I founded the DezyStrong Foundation. To help others stay positive, control their mindset, and most of all – keep grinding DezyStrong style!”
