DRCF 2008 Officers and Board of Directors

Adam M. Walcoff, Esquire, President
Daniel Cellucci, Vice President
Michele Frisko, Secretary
Debra Matthews, Treasurer

Dean Randazzo, Honorary Trustee
Jon Baker, Trustee
Nick Bricker, Trustee
Joseph Breitinger, Trustee
Rob Eger, Trustee
Mike Fry, Trustee
Pat Flynn, Trustee
John Jackson, Trustee
Frank Levin, Trustee
Bob Matthews, Trustee
Joe Randazzo, Trustee
Tom Sullivan, Trustee
Mark Zappone, Trustee

Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation
PO Box 149
Somers Point, NJ 08244

Bio – Dean Randazzo

“My attitude right now is, just be positive. I had these lumps on my neck for a year, and before I knew what I had, I was really worried. When I found out what it was, I said, ok, this is what I need to do to get better, you gotta have a plan. Some days are better than others. I’m a lot weaker in the legs, more winded, and don’t have the same energy. My doctor told me I probably won’t be able to surf the way I was surfing before the treatments, but surfing actually makes me feel better, the more I surf. It’s therapeutic, you’ve got the salt air, it cleans you out, and it’s better than sitting on the couch and getting stagnant. I love to surf and nothing’s going to stop me."

Since his treatment, Dean has been feeling great and continuing his assault on the WQS tour. In 2002, Dean placed 3rd in the Foster’s Cup at Trestles. He backed that up with a win at the 2002 Independence Day Classic in Barbados. Most recently, Dean was chosen as a member of the East Coast Team at the 2003 X-Games IX, the eventual champions.

Roots

Despite the millions of visitors who flock to their beaches each summer, dreams of going pro are much harder to sustain among surfers in the Northeast. While the waves are formidable and there is nowhere in the world like the Jersey Shore in the summer, wetsuits and determination can only stretch the summer season from March through November, leaving surfers far less time in the water than their competitors from warmer climates.

That wouldn’t stop Dean. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the “Dazzler” grew up surfing the waves off the Margate Pier. At age 14 he focused completely on surfing and went professional at the age of 21.

In 1996, Dean qualified for the World Championship Tour. For the next five years he traveled the globe mastering waves. He earned a reputation as a gifted surfer but very little money. Most surfers survive on prize money and stipends from sponsors and health benefits are usually out of the picture. Fortunately, Dean began earning enough to buy health insurance.

Trouble

In June of 2001, Dean noticed “some lumps” in his neck. He was apprehensive about seeing a doctor, but when the symptom persisted, he finally went. The lumps turned out to be Hodgkin’s disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes.

Dean’s treatment consisted of 8 weeks of chemotherapy and 22 radiation treatments that ran from July through Christmas Eve of 2001. Despite the struggle with treatment, he continued to compete from July through September. At that point, he had to stop traveling to major events. Worried about his career, Dean had kept the diagnosis a secret for fear of losing his sponsorship contracts.

Dean feels strongly that continuing to surf during treatments helped maintain his positive attitude and physical stamina, contributing to the success of treatment.

As always, Dean turned to his family. He talked over the situation with his brother Joe. They decided that coming out with the truth was the best course of action and further, that Dean could use his respected reputation in the surfing world to help others. In August of 2001, they founded the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation.

The Foundation

Now in remission and back on the international circuit, Dean knows that early detection can make all the difference in a cancer patient’s success. In 2002, an estimated 20% of Hodgkin’s victims will die of the disease, while 72% of those treated within a year of diagnosis will live at least another ten years.

Knowing that many surfers can not afford health insurance or medical bills, Dean, Joe, family and friends formed the Foundation, with the objective of bringing the surfing community together to raise money for those diagnosed with cancer who cannot afford to pay medical bills and for the purpose of raising money for cancer research.

In September of 2001, The Foundation held its First Annual Surf for a Cause competition in Longport, New Jersey. In September 2002, the DRCF donated $10,000.00 to the Ruth Newman Shapiro cancer and heart fund of Southern New Jersey to benefit cancer research.

The 3rd Annual Surf for a Cause competition returns to Longport, NJ on September 27, 2003. This year, fellow professional surfer Jason Bogle will be the recipient of funds from the DRCF. Jason was diagnosed this year with Ewing Sarcoma, a tough but beatable form of cancer.