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Note: Parents and Swimmers: if you're interested in attending
"Toddstock" on October 25th for
the 3k walk, Please let Coach Ethan know and we might make that our
saturday practice. It would be great if we could participate
on the October 31 "rock n splash", but some more
research will have to be done on that one.
From the OC Register.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/larsen-todd-family-2606906-leukemia-supporters
IRVINE – After years of imparting Irvine youngsters with
his love of swimming and music, coach Todd Larsen is getting his
own lesson in community spirit, with his recent leukemia diagnosis
mobilizing dozens of friends and supporters to lend a hand.
Hoping to lend moral and financial assistance to Larsen and his
family, supporters have decorated the streets of Northpark with
orange ribbons and are organizing a full slate of benefit events.
"It's been unbelievable," Larsen said. "Just the people who have
stepped up to help me and my family has been amazing. It's been
people I don't even know joining forces, and it blows us away."
Larsen, a former swim coach with the Irvine Novaquatics and the
Northpark Riptides, recently shifted his focus to music, which he
says is his first love. As his student roster grew to more than 70
kids, Todd was getting ready to expand his program, hoping to lease
a building and hire more music teachers.
"This guy worked probably six days a week, 60 hours a week, all
for the kids," said Susan Ingalls, a friend of the Larsens' whose
three sons have all been coached by Todd. "No matter what a child
needs, he is there to lend a helping hand."
But Larsen's plans were sidelined in mid-September after a
swollen leg necessitated a trip to the emergency room. After
initial tests showed an elevated blood count, doctors determined
that Larsen has acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an aggressive and
rapidly spreading form of leukemia.
As word of Larsen's condition spread throughout the community,
friends and neighbors quickly came together help his family out.
Supporters were able to keep tabs on Larsen's condition thanks to
the "Todd Rockin' Leukemia" blog created by his younger sister
Tiffany Hale.
"I've just been floored by the amount of love these people
have," Hale said. "My family and I just sit back and think, 'My
gosh, he is like a superstar over there.' "
Larsen's illness came as a shock to those who knew the energetic
and enthusiastic coach and teacher.
"You sort of think he is untouchable, because he is so young at
heart and nothing gets him down," Ingalls said. "Every day is about
Todd since it happened. It puts life in perspective."
The community outpouring was on full display when Larsen
returned home last week after a 22-day stint in the hospital
undergoing chemotherapy. During his absence, supporters had put up
more than 90 orange ribbons – Larsen's favorite color –
on the entry gates to Northpark, on the street leading up to
Larsen's home, and on his home.
"I lost it emotionally, just to think that my friends had done
that for me made me feel loved and so glad to come home," Larsen
said. "It was the best homecoming I could have had."
Now, supporters are lending a hand with a series of benefits for
Larsen and his family.
•Randy Gusikoski, a Northwood Point residents whose three
children have all worked with Larsen, is putting together a
recycling program to raise money for the Larsen family, whose
finances are squeezed with Todd unable to work. The recycling
program has already drawn the interest of more than two dozen youth
volunteers, and more than 40 homes, all before fliers touting the
program have even been distributed.
•Next up will be Toddstock, a 3K walk and
concert scheduled for Oct. 25 at the Northpark Clubhouse. Organized
by Ingalls, Toddstock will feature performances by several bands
Todd has taught, as well as food by La Sirena Grill, with all
proceeds supporting the Larsens.
•On Oct. 31, neighbors will hold a "Rock N Splash
Relay Bash" at the William Woollett Aquatics Center.
Organized by Liz Eastin, whose girls were taught to swim by Todd,
the relay is expected to feature appearances by several Olympic
athletes.
•Finally, in late November, Hale is working to set up a
benefit concert at the House of Blues in Anaheim, although she said
it is still too early to say who is expected to play.
"Leukemia is no match for Todd," Eastin wrote in an e-mail. "The
disease is going to have to take down all of us before it's going
to get the best of him."
Larsen says he has a two-week rest period before he starts his
second round of chemotherapy. While doctors say he may have to go
through up to eight rounds of chemo over the next eight months,
Larsen says he is confident that he can get back on track.
"I plan on beating this. I plan on putting it behind me and pick
up where I left off and build the Irvine Music Academy," Larsen
said.
For more information about the upcoming events, or updates on
Larsen's condition, go to toddrockinleukemia.blogspot.com.
For information about the recycling drive, go to
recycle.help-our-coach.org.
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