For His Brother

At age 86, hospital volunteer John Palisca has a personal reason for joining the Marathon for Via

Hospital volunteer John Palisca remembers the way his older brother, Mario, never let his disability get him down. “He was stricken by polio at age 4 and lost function in one of his arms,” Palisca says. “He was limited in what he could do, but still graduated from Temple University and touched everyone he met. He was a heck of a good man.”

Mario, who passed away a few years ago at age 86, is never far from his brother’s mind. So when Palisca saw a newspaper advertisement for the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via, he knew he had to compete. “Via helps people like my brother,” he says, “and I want to help them.”

He’s never before competed in a walk or run, but Palisca is driven. At age 86, he’s working out at a local gym two-to-three times per week to stay in shape. His goal: competing in the 5k walk portion of the Sept. 7 marathon.

“I’m going to do a dry run a few days before the event by walking the entire 5k course,” Palisca says. “It will give me a feel for the big day.”

Competing in the 5k is just one of many ways Palisca gives back to the community he calls home. Since retiring from his job as a pipe fitter at the Philadelphia Naval Yard, he’s volunteered at LVH–Muhlenberg, helping with medical records, delivering flowers to patient rooms and escorting people to their cars at discharge.

Just as he helps others at the hospital, many are helping Palisca accomplish his goal of completing the 5k walk. His cheering section includes Joan, his wife of 56 years, and the couple’s two sons and two daughters (one of whom will be by his side during his upcoming “dry run.”) He’ll also ask some friends from all corners of the nation for support. “We spend the winter months in Central Florida and have met people from different states,” he says. “We’ll try to raise as much money as we can.”

When the marathon begins in a few weeks, John Palisca knows Mario will be with him too. “I know he’d get a kick out of what I’m doing for him,” Palisca says.

—Matthew Burns

Play your part...volunteer!
If you’re not competing in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via, you can still help. Volunteers are needed to set up the course, register walkers and runners, direct runners through the course and for various other duties. You also have time to register to compete. To volunteer or register, call 610-402-CARE.

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