Well Dun: Connor Pensack Foundation brings awareness for rare disease

Posted on May 1, 2024 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Connor Penasck is one of the sweetest six-year-olds you would want to meet.

And despite his very young age and zest for normal child play, Connor has endured quite a lot of health issues and hospital stays.

He was diagnosed at age three with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease (VEOIBD) Ulcerative Colitis.

Over the course of the past two years, his disease has progressed, and it has been a struggle to find the right course of treatment for him.

Son of Jason and Danielle Pensack, Connor’s parents often found themselves feeling helpless. After one challenging hospital stay, they decided to create a foundation in Connor’s name that allowed the family to spread awareness about VEOIBD and put forth fundraising efforts to raise money for needed research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It is there where Connor is fortunate enough to receive excellent care from doctors who are second to none in their field.

Connor’s mom is the curriculum coordinator for the Dunmore School District. Born and raised in Dunmore, she is a former fourth and fifth grade teacher at the Dunmore Elementary Center.

The second annual Connor Cup will be held Saturday, July 13, at Pine Hills Country Club. Last year the Connor Pensack Foundation raised $15,839 through this fundraiser. The hope is that this year’s tournament will be even bigger and better as more funds are raised for continued research.

Inflammatory bowel disease is the fastest growing autoimmune disorder for children younger than age five.

Each year, the Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia treats more than 1,800 young patients who suffer from abdominal pain, intestinal inflammation and other symptoms of this often-debilitating disease.

The past few years produced an explosion of knowledge about the genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and expanded treatment options. Today, expert gastroenterologists, geneticists and researchers work together to evaluate each child’s DNA and microbiome with the goal of developing truly personalized medicine, Walk for Hope funds these discoveries taking us one step closer to a cure.

Connor Pensack is shown with his parents (Jason and Danielle), and his siblings, from left: Connor, Cole, 10, and Cooper, 7, and Sadie, 12.

Connor’s mom said he was originally diagnosed at the Geisinger Danville Children’s Hospital and then again at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “He was having loose stools 12 to 15 times a day,” she said. “There was blood and mucus in his stools daily.

“It all happened in the blink of an eye on a Monday night. He woke up out of a dead sleep with a high fever shaking and mumbling. After a long and uncomfortable night, we knew he needed immediate medical attention. Since then, there have been many stays at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“He has good and bad days now. Some days are better than others. We try to make the best of the situation.”

Connor, 6, is in kindergarten at South Abington Elementary School.

“His school is very accommodating. His teachers are in constant communication with us.”

Connor’s mom credited Dr. Judith Kelsen for her research work of VEOIBD at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Connor was recently chosen as an ambassador for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelpia.

The Walk for Hope fundraiser will take place Sunday, June 9, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Those wishing to donate to the Connor Pensack Foundation can mail checks to: Connor Pensack Foundation, 503 Hickory Lane, South Abington Township 18411 or directly to First National Community Bank, 269 E, Grove St., Clarks Green, PA 18411.

Proceeds from Connor Pensack Foundation fundraisers will be donated to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia VEO-IBD research.

‘Help’ fundraiser for ScrantonShakesfeatures music tribute to The Beatles

Posted on May 1, 2024 by The Dunmorean

Two Dunmoreans will be among the featured performers in a tribute to The Beatles to be held on Saturday, May 18, at 3 and 6 p.m. at the ShakesSpace at the Marketplace at Steamtown. Entitled “Help,” the event will benefit the 13th season of the Scranton Shakespeare Festival and feature both local and New York talent.

Among the Dunmoreans appearing will be Brian McGurl and Joe McGurl. Spencer Shotto of Dunmore is technical director.

Other area talent includes Erin Malloy, Kelly Jean Graham, Madelyn Casey, LaToya Martin, Michael Bradshaw Flynn, Sarah Pugliese, and Molly Cerep, and others to be announced.

This concert follows last year’s successful tribute “Sunday with Sondheim.”

General admission tickets are $40, and patron tickets are $60 including a cocktail hour with special hors d’oeuvres, and priority seating. Tickets are available at scrantonshakes.com/tickets

Athlete of the Month: Rachel Walsh

Posted on May 1, 2024 by The Dunmorean

***Rachel Walsh of the Lady Bucks softball team is shown with her homerun and 200 strikeout balls. Rachel is 6-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 56 strikeouts. She is also batting .600 and 16 RBIS***
***and has 200 career strikeouts as a freshman.***

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore sophomore pitcher Rachel Walsh is not only excelling this season for the Lady Bucks on the mound, but also at the plate.

Daughter of Kevin and Michele Walsh, Rachel has a 7-2 record on the mound and sparkling 1.75 ERA at press time..

Last month she recorded her 200th career strikeout against Riverside. She has 236 career strikeouts at press time.

A total of 144 of those strikeouts came in her freshman year when she won nine games and had a 3.59 ERA.

The sophomore standout batted .405 with three homers last season. She also plays first base.

Rachel at press time is batting .520, with a .625 on base percentage, one homer, five doubles, 13 hits, 13 runs scored, 17 RBIs and an .840 slugging percentage.

The highly-talented sophomore attributes her strong improvement on the mound this season to a lot of hard work. “I really put a lot of work into my pitching in the fall and winter months,” she said. “I did my job as a freshman, but knew there was room for improvement. I set some goals to get better. The hard work is paying off for me.”

She talked about what it takes to excel on the mound. “You need to put in long hours and put the time and effort in. You need motivation and determination to be one of the best.”

Rachel said veteran Dunmore softball coach Ryan Ferguson taught her a lot. “He always tells me to never get down on myself. Everything will be okay in the end. One bad game won’t hurt you. You can bounce back.”

Well-versed and multi-talented, Rachel is also a two-year member of the Dunmore Lady Bucks basketball team where she was part of a state championship as a freshman. She is also a member of the bowling club, French Club and Art Club.

Rachel has an impressive 4.0 academic average. Her favorite subject is math.

The Dunmore softball team finished 9-12 last season, but this year is 7-2 at press time.

Rachel talked about the team’s improvement. “We all stay positive. Everyone has high hopes. We practice longer and harder. We’ve become more consistent with our hitting and it is showing. We also have two freshmen on the team, Emily McGowan and Paige Ancherani, who are contributing a lot to our success. Both are great outfielders and can really hit. Emily also plays first base.”

Well-spoken and enthusiastic, Rachel said she would like to play softball and study engineering in college. She would like to become an architectural or mechanical engineer and is considering Penn State among others.

The sophomore student-athlete enjoys listening to music in her spare time. She would like to see country singer Morgan Wallen in concert.

Determined and focused, Rachel said she is making the most of her experience at Dunmore.

“I love Dunmore,” she said. “It’s a small and close-knit town. Everyone is so supportive both in the town and at school. I am very fortunate to grow up in a small town. I love playing for the Dunmore Lady Bucks softball team. We have a really good team. I love our coaching staff and teammates.

“We had some tough times in my freshman year, but our softball team is really improved now. We hope it continues and are working hard as a group so that it does. We expect great years ahead.”

Rachel also praised her parents. “They tell me I can do anything I set my mind to. And no matter what, they will always be by my side. I have their never ending support.”