Honorary Skippers

Local Chapter // Honorary Skippers

Honorary Skippers

Leukemia Cup Regatta and Sail For a Cure participants raise funds in honor of local blood cancer survivors and our Honorary Skippers. Their courageous stories will inspire you!

	Honorary Skipper Ian Charles (left) with Bill Nolan and David Joyner Ian was diagnosed with Stage II multiple myeloma in April 2008. Despite intense chemotherapy treatments twice a week, he "co-chaired" and participated in the 2008 Leukemia Cup Regatta. Ian raised $216,000, earning the title of top overall individual fundraiser in the country. He underwent a stem cell transplant in October following the 2008 Regatta and is now cancer free. In 2009, Full Throttle was the top fundraising boat with a combined total of $76,375 donated to the cause, and with the dynamic co-chairs David Joyner (skipper), Bill Nolan and Ian Charles on board.
	Honorary Skipper Russ Coggeshall Russ was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma in May 2010. A routine blood test revealed protein in Russ' blood and subsequent testing confirmed the diagnosis. Fortunately, the doctors discovered the myeloma early and it is in an indolent stage so Russ is on a "wait and see" treatment plan with regular blood testing every two months. Russ says his diagnosis "has caused him to step back and take a more in-depth look at his life." He remains positive and continues to pursue his usual activities and travel as much as possible. "Keeping busy with a positive attitude is important to me! My family and friends are a great comfort to me," he says. In 2009, after 19 years of service, Russ retired as General Manager of The San Francisco Yacht Club. The Leukemia Cup Regatta started on his watch and he has enjoyed watching it grow each year. He remains active with the club, managing its website and weekly newsletter. Russ is encouraged by the advances being made in blood cancer treatment as a result of LLS's funding and says that "the word cancer used to terrorize me, but no longer!"
	*Honorary Skipper Douglas Holmes and the Tupelo Honey* Crew Honorary skipper, Douglas Holmes*, will be racing in this year's Leukemia Cup Regatta with Tupelo Honey* skipper Gerard Sheridan and his crew. Douglas is an avid sailor and talented sculptor who was diagnosed in October 2008 with multiple myeloma, He received chemotherapy, radiation treatment and a stem cell transplant at UCSF Medical Center and is now in complete remission. Last year, the Tupelo Honey crew rallied their support for the cause and raised more than $10,000 and Douglas's UCSF doctor, Jeff Wolf, was on board racing with their crew.
	Honorary Skipper Drake Jensen Drake was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in September of 2010 and has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatment for his cancer. Before he found his love of sailing, Drake was a long-time athlete enjoying swimming, soccer, basketball and baseball. His Dad introduced him to sailing in 2005, when he was 12 years old and it has become his "main obsession." His Dad bought him new Laser in 2006 and he has sailed it ever since, gaining the experience and skills needed to reach national championship regattas in the US sailing venues for youths. Despite all of the challenges associated with chemo and radiation, Drake has been determined to finish high school. His senior year is a busy one with Varsity baseball, preparation for graduation and college and getting back on the water racing sailboats. He looks forward to a competitive and or professional sailing future in college and beyond.
	Honorary Skipper Christopher Laub Christopher Laub was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2004, at the age of eight. With the love and support of friends and families in the Tiburon community, he stayed strong during his 3 years of chemotherapy at UCSF. He has inspired many along the way, including SF Giants great Barry Bonds by writing him to stay strong after his knee injury in 2005. This led to a special relationship between the two and resulted in them combining efforts to raise funds for the UCSF Children?s Hospital. In addition, Chris is a past "Boy of the Year" for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?s Man & Women of the Year. His work with the "iChat" educational program sponsored by Apple, has helped many children to stay connected with their classrooms via web cam technology while receiving chemotherapy. Chris continues working to inspire and support other kids battling cancer. He was honored by the Dalai Lama in 2009, as a "Unsung Hero of Compassion" for his inspirational efforts. Presently, Chris is a sophmore at Redwood High School. He hopes to play on the basketball and golf teams. His motto is and always has been: "Stay Strong and Don't Give Up."
	Honorary Skipper Steve Johnson with daughters Nicole and Sydney Steve was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in Febrary 1997 after what he thought was a bad case of the flu that was going around. Two days after his doctor's visit he found himself at UCSF receiving his first round of chemo. His wife, Karen, was his "rock" throughout his treatment, spending almost every night in the hospital with him. After 7.5 months of high-dose chemo and 2.5 years of maintenance chemo, Steve was declared cancer free. Steve says his cancer journey taught him to always remember that life is a precious thing and that we need to make the most of it. It is crucial to "catch yourself" when things are not going well and remember this one simple thing.
	Honorary Skipper Chris Kostanecki and wife, Jennifer Chris was diagnosed in 1995 with a very rare form of lymphoma - anaplastic T-Cell lymphoma. A survivor for 15 years, Chris and his children Nicholas (9) and Sophie (11) celebrate together by competing in the Leukemia Cup on their J-30. Chris says, "The LLS mission is a cause near and dear to me for obvious reasons. I support and fundraise for LLS every year. I enjoy the connection and being able to support other patients when they face challenges during diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Watching the Leukemia Cup grow with the support of The San Francisco Yacht Club, committee members, VIP speakers and the Bay Area sailing community is exciting and I am honored to be part of this amazing regatta."
	Honorary Skipper Lois Limbach Lois was diagnosed with Stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma in late 1997. She was successfully treated with CHOP chemotherapy in 1998. Leading her through the process were Dr. David Gullion in Marin and a consultant at Stanford, both of whom she says were wonderful. In her own words, "It wasn't all a bed of roses but with the great help of my husband, family and friends I started 1999 with a new head of hair and ready to go." Lois has been cancer free ever since. Lois and her family has been active in sailing for many years. Her husband, Karl, was Commodore of St.Francis Yacht Club in 1991. Upon moving to Belvedere in 1985 they became proud members of the San Francisco Yacht Club.
	Honorary Skipper Sara Corace Moreno Sara was diagnosed with lymphoma in May 2006 and is currently in remission. Her experience has led her to have a new attitude towards spending time with loved ones. She says, "The day I found out I had cancer was one of the worst days of my life. So now I try to enjoy family and freinds as much as I can because life is really too short. I don't let things bother me like I use to. "
	Honorary Skipper Campbell Nolan (center) with Honorary Chair Tom Perkins and the Honorable, Al Gore Campbell Nolan was diagnosed with T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in September 2005. He finished his two-year treatment plan at USCF Children's Hospital where he was enrolled in a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a new cancer drug developed specifically to address T-Cell ALL. Campbell is now enjoying life as all young boys should - by playing baseball and sailing.
	Honorary Skipper Bernard O'Driscoll Bernard O'Driscoll was diagnosed with stage 3 aggressive multiple myeloma in April, 2009. His diagnosis was complicated by pneumonia and kidney failure. The myeloma was so aggressive that Dr. Wolf took one of his bone marrow lab slides to use in his presentations - the worst he had seen. After many rounds of chemotherapy and two bone marrow transplants, his cancer is now in complete remission. Although he is currently awaiting a kidney transplant, Bernard sails the Bay at every opportunity. He is an Honorary Skipper on Neil Gibbs' J/105, Nimbus. Shortly after Bernard's diagnosis, Neil's mother was also diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She is being treated at the Mayo Clinic.
	Honorary Skipper James "Hoody" Quill (center) with Co-Chairs Anne Feinberg and Bill Smith Seven-time cancer survivor, Hoody Quill, has battled both non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia. A resident of Tiburon and father of five, Quill inspires other cancer patients as a motivational speaker. His message is simple, "Do not give up, and when bad things happen, try to get something good out of it."
	Honorary Skipper Jameson Radu Jameson Radu was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in June of 2003. Looking at him today, you would never know he underwent three and a half years of chemotherapy. Despite all of the challenges that come with diagnosis and treatment, he never lost his spirit. Jameson is the most curious young man you will ever meet and he is happiest when surrounded by friends and family. He loves and lives life -playing baseball and basketball everyday.
	Honorary Skipper George Rodericks George was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in July of 1998 during what he thought were routine tests for bronchitis or some other sort of chest cold. The news was life changing. George's oncologist advised six months of ABVD Chemotherapy followed by 30 days of radiation. All the while, he continued to work and trying to keep life, living, and loving in balance. The treatment was arduous but successful. George went into remission in April 1999 and in April 2009 celebrated 10 years cancer free as the Belvedere City Manager. He says, "Being a survivor means a lot on so many levels. It is an experience that changed my life ? forever. I still look over my shoulder whenever I get a cough or serious cold or have those familiar aches and pains; but I know that life, living, and love make the difference."
	Honorary Skipper Lynn Spiller (right) with daughter, Keri Lynn was diagnosed in 1993 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and treated successfully with radiation therapy. She thrived for 15 years before the lymphoma resurfaced in 2008. This time she was treated - again successfully - with a relatively new drug that targets primarily only the cancerous tumors, yielding a much gentler therapy and quality of life. She is an active volunteer and fundraiser for a number of LLS events because she believes her good health is the direct result of the support the LLS provides for blood cancer research. In addition to being an honoree for LLS's Team In Training a number of times, she continues to volunteer and participate in the Leukemia Cup Regatta. Lynn says, "I tell people, don't be afraid of cancer. There's so much out there to keep you healthy."
	Honorary Skipper Dave Wilhite In September 1979, Dave Wilhite moved to the SF Bay Area from Key West, Florida with a two year old J 24 in tow. Since then he?s been associated with rigging companies, sailmakers, schools and marine suppliers and now works as a salesman for Doyle Sails. Dave has supported hundreds of boat owners to better enjoy their boats, taught well over a thousand people to sail and taken hundreds more sailing for their very first time. Along the way he?s lost way more races than he?s won but notably served as tactician aboard the 1993 Richard Rheem Perpetual trophy winner National Biscuit. Dave has cruised the Sea of Cortez, the Mosquito Coast and the Pacific Northwest. He has transited both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, caught all sorts of great sea fish, run aground his share of times, given "rides" to wayward birds and survived a hurricane at sea. On August 27th 2004 Dave was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia which, needless to say, put his adventurous life on hold; then again maybe one could say cancer created yet another adventure. After chemotherapy and four years of clean blood test his oncologist told him it was more likely he?d die being hit by a bus than by leukemia. Six months after Dr. Nestor?s proclamation, in March of 2009, reaching back from the South East Farallon at speeds in excess of 20 knots in 30 knots of wind, the keel of Dave?s borrowed J 80 decided to part company with its hull. Five miles from Point Bonita, Dave and his crew were stranded in 14 foot breaking waves, an hour after sunset, hanging on for dear life. Dave cut himself loose from the boat and swam back underneath the capsized sloop to retrieve the VHF radio that his crew then used to summon help. An hour later both men were safely aboard rescue vessels and returned home. Once Dave had had a chance to warm up and dry out he put a call in to thank Dr. Nestor and to tell him that his "bus" had not yet arrived....