Amy Temarantz

Wilkes-Barre, PA

It has been a year since Robert Temarantz was taken from us so suddenly.  Yet, each of us remembers at least one particular moment in which Bob touched our lives.  Whether he was a childhood friend who enjoyed playing baseball, or the photographer that covered your wedding, or perhaps just a wonderful friend whose strength and character formed a lasting relationship.  When Bob fell ill from Pulmonary Fibrosis, he said his dream was to see his two daughter’s graduate from high school.  Only part of that dream came true.

Bob was forced to use oxygen to breathe.  The once vibrant, energetic man was now literally “tied down” by his oxygen tubing.  He had to forfeit his photography business, which was the most devastating part of the ordeal.  The expensive medications that he had taken did not seem to be working, and slowly Bob deteriorated.  A transplant just remained beyond his grasp: the only “cure” for his disease.

 My battle has been extremely difficult.  Not a day goes by that I do not think about my dad.  When my father first became ill, I was unfamiliar with his disease.  I did not search for further information, either because I did not think to do so or I did not want to know.  However, now that my father is gone, his life and the disease that he suffered with for over 19 months have gained greater meaning.  

Pulmonary Fibrosis affects more than 200,000 people.  Each year, 40,000 individuals expire annually, almost as much as those who die from Breast Cancer.  Of all the deadly-diseases, Pulmonary Fibrosis takes the most victims.  However, there are currently no effective treatments for the disease.  Medications are ineffectual.  The only option for these patients is a lung transplant, the odds of which are narrow.  Pulmonary Fibrosis is often misdiagnosed as asthma, emphysema, etc.  Thus, it is most likely that more people have this disease than are diagnosed with it.  With no cure, no effective treatments, and little in the way of research, this disease is a sure killer.  

I have decided to turn my outrage over this unknown disease into action.  I am creating a series of events within my school community to raise money and awareness for the disease, including an outdoor film, a battle of the bands, a benefit dinner, and a student dance.  However, I knew that concentrating my efforts towards the younger population would not be effective, for I would be forgetting the friends and family who still “can’t believe that Bob’s gone.”

Thus, I am asking for your help.  I am asking you to make a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, all proceeds of which will be donated in honor of Robert D. Temarantz.  Your donation would be put towards research and development of a cure for Pulmonary Fibrosis.  Your contribution could develop a medication that could actually have effectiveness.  Or, your contribution could discover a concrete cause of the disease.

Please make your checks payable to the “Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.”  In addition, please mail your checks to the address below.  If possible, have your contributions in by September 30^th.  A donation, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated. My sincerest expression of gratitude toward any donation you could make.  Please do not let this killer of Pulmonary Fibrosis go untamed.  Let my father not have died in vain.

September, in the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania , is now Pulmonary Fibrosis Month (thanks to me!)  Here is the list of events designed to raise money and awareness:

Sept 3rd -- Outdoor Movie, Wyoming Seminary... Kingston , PA (only open to Wyoming Seminary Students)

Sept 11th -- Battle of the Bands -- 5 local bands (2 signed to the Warp Tour -a national tour) compete in a music battle...open to the public.... Murray 's Inn... Wilkes-Barre , PA 

Sept 24th (or 25th) -- Student Mixer, -- For students at my school, a club style dance Wyoming Seminary... Kingston , PA (only open to Wyoming Seminary Students) 

Sept 28th -- Benefit Dinner in honor of Robert D. Temarantz; -- for the faculty, trustees, and parents at my school as well as several family friends.  A raffle will be held at the dinner feat. donated products.  All food has been donated.  Entertainment to be provided by my school's jazz band.  River Street Jazz Cafe... Wilkes-Barre , PA (open to family and friends of Robert, and faculty and parents at Wyoming Seminary...must contribute a donation in order to attend...suggested donation of 25 dollars) 

I am also selling ribbons (I didn't know what were the colors for the foundation so I decided to use red and blue -oxygenated and unoxygenated blood-) I have also began a mail campaign to several family members and friends.  I am hoping that I can raise enough money to make a difference!  

For more information contact:

Ami Temarantz
5 Brader Drive
Wilkes-Barre , PA 18705