Page 6 - 2021 Summer CMTA Report

“Steve is an incredible ambassador for the
CMTA community. He leads by example and
has done so for over 20 years through his
fundraising efforts and role on our Board of
Directors. His passion is unparalleled and we
are so grateful to him for all he has done to
further our mission.”
— Amy Gray, CMTA CEO
Steve with CMTA CEO Amy Gray at the 2018 NYC Gala

Celebrating StEVE

continued from page 5
I decided I had to meet this guy, got
his phone number, and gave him a call.
He immediately invited me over to his
house. Despite a serious case of CMT,
Steve is a successful businessman, an
amazing athlete and a devoted hus-
band and father. Once I met Steve, I
quickly decided I could no longer feel
sorry for myself.”
According to camp counselor and Har-
risburg branch Leader Erin Weierbach,
“Steve is as dedicated to the community The O’Donnells: Steve, Sherri, Sean and Jamie
living with CMT as he is to the CMTA’s
mission. He’s a natural relationship
builder and a genuine listener, which Long-time friend of Steve (FOS) Steve Clearly, he had skin in the game.
always makes me feel comfortable to O’Connell is “inspired by Steve’s Eventually, Steve got me involved in
be myself around him and empowered dedication to the cause. Year-after-year the bay swim and later the FunAthlon.
to not let CMT stand in the way of a Steve would prepare for the Chesa- He inspired me to take the next step
beautiful life. I appreciate his commit- peake Bay swim and I was always and sponsor a golf tournament to
ment to raising funds and awareness, amazed at the effort he put in. At the further support the cause. I can see in
but more importantly, I appreciate his time I had no idea about the disease Steve a deep desire to find a cure for
positive energy and the authenticity he was battling. I knew he had CMT and it makes me want to help him
he brings to the CMT community!” issues but was not aware of CMT. as much as I can.”
Steve’s kids, Jamie, 27, and Sean, 25,
told the CMTA Report, “For as long as For the 2021 event, Sherri and Steve O’Donnell have committed to
we can remember, we watched our donating $5 per lap swum, up to $20,000; and $5 per mile biked,
dad devote himself with unparalleled up to $20,000. Between now and September 30, we’re asking
passion to the CMTA. He set his goal everyone to DIVE in and celebrate Steve’s 20 years of fundraising
of finding a cure for CMT over 30 years efforts by starting their OWN Virtual Swims 4 CMT.
ago and hasn’t given up since. Seeing
him work tirelessly towards bettering Let’s meet this amazing $40,000 challenge and
the lives of those afflicted with CMT show the O’Donnells our thanks and support!
taught us a number of important life
lessons: how to pursue something you To register, go to: www.cmtausa.org/funathlon
care deeply about, how to persevere
when it seems like your goal is just FUNATHALON CELEBRATIONS
out of reach, and most importantly, Below: Steve with CMTA Development Director Jeana
the value of believing in something Sweeney. At right: Steve and friends in 2018.
that benefits a greater good. We are
so proud to see how far research and
treatments have come, and are excited
to see a future with no CMT!”
“UNSTOPPABLE!” is
the word CMTA Development
Director Jeana Sweeney uses
to describe Steve O’Donnell.

6 THE CMTA REPORT SUMMER 2021