Fundraise for Meso: Patriot Half Triathlon in East Freetown, MA

On Saturday, June 15, Sal Birardi will be competing in the Patriot Half Triathlon in East Freetown, MA. Sal decided to use this 70.3-mile competition as a fundraiser for the Meso Foundation in memory of his father-in-law, Tony Torio, who passed away from mesothelioma on April 12, 2018.

Tony, a 35-year foreman and superintendent working on large HVAC projects in New York City, was diagnosed with mesothelioma after a football-sized tumor was found in his chest cavity in early April 2018. This was only a few months after the otherwise healthy and active 68-year-old began experiencing lower back pain and weight loss. A dedicated and loved family man, he left behind his wife of nearly 50 years, Rosemary, his two daughters, Rachel and Kim (Sal’s wife), and four grandchildren.

“Tony was a great man, and this whole thing came as a shock to our family. But we want to raise money for mesothelioma research, bring awareness of this awful disease and support the Meso Foundation in Tony’s memory.”

Sal Birardi

Although no stranger to marathons, this is Sal’s first half triathlon, which is a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. He’s been training for the last 6 months and will represent Merrick Bicycle Team, his local bicycle shop, during the biking portion, and then will don a blue Cure Meso t-shirt during the running portion and at the finish line.

Event Details:

• Saturday, June 15, 2019
• East Freetown, MA
• 7:00 AM ET

If you’d like to support Sal’s fundraiser, donations can be made to his fundraising page on our website.

Throughout the year, dozens of Fundraise for Meso fundraisers — walks, runs, kayaking, poker tournaments, golf outings, birthday gifts, happy hours and more — are hosted to benefit the Meso Foundation. Interested in hosting your own Fundraise for Meso event? Contact us at [email protected] or 703-879-3797, and we will provide you the tools and resources you’ll need to make your event a success.