Orange county shoot for the cure

 

Joe and Jessica DiPenta have a vested interest in their community.  They along with Rick Johnson and Dianna Munro wanted to found a charity event supporting kids, but more importantly kids with cancer.  They feel this is a cause that everyone can relate to and support as almost all of us know or have known someone touched by the disease.  Orange County Shoot for the Cure was born out of this interest and their strong desire to help find a cure for cancer by supporting those with the disease as well as research to eliminate it.

OUR MISSION:

Our mission is to support local organizations that are committed to health care services, research, prevention, education and the elimination of cancer.   

Given the impact to our community, we chose to support the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Oncology Floor and the American Cancer Society of Orange County.

Joe and Jessica DiPenta

Joe was born in Barrie, ON, Canada, but has lived most of his life in Cole Harbour, NS, Canada.  He has been skating since he was two years old and has been playing hockey almost as long.  His hockey career has taken him to, Boston (Boston University Terriers), Philadelphia (Philadelphia Phantoms), Atlanta (Atlanta Thrashers), Chicago (Chicago Wolves), Winnipeg (Manitoba Moose), and Anaheim (Anaheim Ducks).  Throughout the years, Joe has participated in a wide range of charity events with different teams, including numerous events with the Anaheim Ducks.  On the day of his Stanley Cup party, Joe took Lord Stanley’s Cup to the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax, NS to show the children there.  “I felt it was really important to let the kids at the IWK experience the Stanley Cup and I was more than happy to share it with them.”

Jessica was born in Pottstown, PA and has lived most of her life in Boyertown, PA.  She has a background in human services and has extensive experience working with children and young adults through both her employment and volunteer endeavors.  She has worked on numerous charity events through her association with hockey ranging from the Ronald McDonald house, Spark of Love toy drive, CHOC, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  “Without people’s generous giving, most of these programs would not be able to exist,” states Jessica

Rick Johnson and Dianna Munro

Rick Johnson was born in Southern California and now resides in Newport Beach California.  His mission in life to be successful in business was in part to give back to the community, especially children with cancer and cancer research.  Rick is a 13 year cancer survivor and as a result puts a tremendous amount of time in raising money to find a cure. His father is in remission from prostate cancer as a result of early detection and his cousin died from breast cancer in 2007.  He has a passion for the game of hockey and for helping children that are suffering from this horrible disease and that’s why, “Being a part of something special to make a difference if only in one life makes this event worthwhile.”

Dianna was born in Dallas, Texas and graduated from the University of Texas and resides in Newport Beach, CA.  She is a 14 year cancer survivor and during her illness benefited from the American Cancer Society’s many services which included rides to and from treatments and local support groups.  In 2004, Dianna’s younger sister died from cancer and the loss of her sister touched her to do whatever she could to make a difference in the fight against cancer.  She also lost her father to cancer in 2008.

She has been actively involved with the American Cancer Society and the OC Barons’ Ball as the Underwriting Chair for the past 3 years.  In 2007, she raised over $500,000. Dianna is thrilled to be a part of the Orange County Shoot for the Cure and to create an opportunity for the hockey community to make a difference in the fight against cancer.