Helping families in need is what the annual Forsythe’s Snowball Kickball fundraiser is all about. Over the last 4 years alone, this volunteer-based fundraising effort has raised over $120,000.
The annual fundraising event now in its 12th year will be held on February 19, 2022. The event is held each year at the home of Vince and Carrie Forsythe of St. Petersburg, PA.
The event features an incredible display of Chinese Auction items, live auction items, and various raffles. Shirt sponsors are also available for $50. Anyone who would like to make a monetary donation or donate an item can contact Vince at 724-996-3451.
This year’s recipients are Shari Shovestull of Strattanville and Jess Cyphert of Lucinda. Each year the Forsythes also donate a portion to the Clarion County Shriners.
Shari Shovestull
Shari was diagnosed with COVID in September 2021. During her recovery, Shari experienced a variety of complications. Through hospital visits and various tests, the Doctors have concluded Shari has a form of lymphoma in her liver and lungs.
On December 17th, Shari was life-flighted to Hamot Hospital to remove eight blood clots in her lungs. Several more blood clots remain.
Doctors plan to conduct a high-risk surgery at Hamot soon to place small screens in her legs to deter the clots from moving into her heart. Due to significant blood clots and heart issues, full biopsies have not been able to be performed.
Due to her illness, Shari is unable to work and future medical needs are uncertain at this time. Prior to being sick, Shari worked for Marshal Law Office in Shippenville.
Shari and her husband Paul live in Strattanville, PA.
Jess Cyphert
Jess has been having health issues since May of 2021. She was first diagnosed with gallbladder issues around then and while waiting to get into a doctor to remove it she had her first bout of pancreatitis. She spent three nights in the hospital and came home.
In August, she had another attack and spent 3 weeks in the hospital and then had her pancreas removed. She came home for one night and due to dehydration had to go back to the hospital. She was life-flighted to West Penn hospital. A few days later under suspicion of a heart attack, which turned out to be a Lupus flare. She was in the ICU on a ventilator for two weeks on a ventilator but continued to improve and was transferred to a regular room for several more weeks. She was sent to a long-term rehab hospital in Boardman, Ohio where a doctor took up her case and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
She had several procedures in order to get her feedings and to get her ready to come home and start chemo. Jess came home in the middle of November and got her first two rounds of chemo. Last week she developed a brain bleed and had to be life-flighted to UPMC Presby. She is recovering well and will be home for Christmas. She has only been home for about a month since the middle of August and has been in seven hospitals either for a stay or a procedure.
Prior to getting diagnosed, Jess worked for her brother’s tree removal company where she took care of the books and secretarial duties.
Jess’s husband, works for a company based out of St. Louis called MiTek as a technical representative. They have one daughter, age 5 who goes to St. Joe’s school in Lucinda.
The couple resides in Lucinda.
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