Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Franny Haney

Riding through the pain

Haney powers forward with PMC despite loss, physical discomfort



Despite all the injuries and loss she’s endured, Franny Haney remains optimistic and motivated to cure cancer. Photo courtesy Franny Haney
Despite all the injuries and loss she’s endured, Franny Haney remains optimistic and motivated to cure cancer. Photos courtesy Franny Haney
Every time she experiences heartbreak, and every time she experiences bliss, Franny Haney finds another reason to keep riding.

Her left leg is shattered, her body is drained, but she knows she can’t stop. She doesn’t want to stop.

She saw cancer take her cousin, Mark, this past April, at age 59. She almost saw it take her then-1-year-old cousin, Olivia, in 2016. Now, she beams with pride as she shares that Olivia has conquered brain cancer and is a happy and healthy 4 year old “spitfire,” as she endearingly calls her.

Haney knows how unrelenting and unforgiving cancer can be, but she also knows significant progress has been made. She hopes that by continuing to ride the Pan-Mass Challenge every year, she can help foster more success stories like Olivia’s.

The 24-year Duxbury resident started riding the PMC in 1998, and after a hiatus, she’s been back on the bike since 2016. Haney, 57, has raised over $25,000, including an all-time high of $7,695 this year as of this past Monday.
Olivia Tassinari can now recognize photos of herself from when she was younger and her health was significantly worse.
Olivia Tassinari can now recognize photos of herself from when she was younger and her health was significantly worse.

Raising the money doesn’t feel like a chore. It’s a passion, and she’s eagerly awaiting the ride in early August alongside her partner Sue Kiley.

“We laugh along the way,” Haney said. “It’s not a mournful day. It’s a positive experience of love.”

‘Miracle from inception’

When Andrea Tassinari announced she was pregnant, her baby shower wasn’t an ordinary celebration.

Andrea had been trying for years, and finally, Olivia Tassinari entered the world Aug. 21, 2014.

“She was a miracle from inception,” Haney said. “Everybody knew that this baby was something special.”

When Olivia was 1 year old, she started having severe stomach pains, so the family went to the pediatrician to try and pinpoint the root of the problem.

The pediatrician was stumped and sent her to South Shore Hospital, and they couldn’t figure it out either. Olivia had started to walk, but suddenly, she was losing her balance and toppling over like a domino.
Andrea Tassinari is grateful that Franny Haney is always there to support her daughter, Olivia.
Andrea Tassinari is grateful that Franny Haney is always there to support her daughter, Olivia.

Eventually, at Children’s Hospital, a doctor decided to inspect the area near the neck. They sent Olivia in for an MRI and discovered an egg-sized tumor in her brain. It was worse than her family could have possibly imagined.

Brain cancer. At 18 months.

The next day, they did a craniotomy to remove the tumor, but Olivia’s journey had just begun. She endured seven months of chemotherapy and three stem cell transplants.

That was in 2016. Now, at age 4, Olivia has overcome more the past few years than many people do in a lifetime. She’s currently cancer-free, and she can’t wait to turn 5 soon and start kindergarten a few weeks later.

“She has this wonderful personality,” Andrea Tassinari said. “The laugh that can light up a room. You can’t put it into words how far she’s come.”

Haney has been there every step of the way. She was there in the ICU back in 2016, and she’s there now to giggle while they jump on the trampoline after she picks her up from school.
Olivia Tassinari was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 1, but now she’s made a full recovery and is cancer-free.
Olivia Tassinari was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 1, but now she’s made a full recovery and is cancer-free.

There’s a picture on the wall at the Tassinari home where Olivia and Andrea are nose to nose. It was taken seconds before she was about to walk into her craniotomy. Olivia glanced at the picture recently and asked if it was a photo of her and her Mama. Andrea stopped putting Olivia’s shin guards on momentarily and looked up at the photo. “It is, honey,” she said. “Is that when I was sick, and the doctors made me feel better?” Olivia asked.

“I about lost it,” Andrea says now, inspired by her daughter’s progress. Olivia can recognize herself at a younger age, and the whole extended family lives by the motto “Olivia Strong.”

Haney knows that after Olivia fought as valiantly as she did, the least she can do now is raise money and ride the PMC every year. Andrea is amazed and forever grateful for how much Haney has done for Olivia, but for Haney, it’s a gift and an opportunity.
Duxbury’s Franny Haney trains hard for the PMC every year. Photos courtesy Franny Haney
Duxbury’s Franny Haney trains hard for the PMC every year. 

“I see that girl, and I feel joy,” Haney said. “There’s no way around it. I just feel joy.”

Added motivation

As Franny Haney crept through the hallway of the sixth floor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital – the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute floor – she couldn’t help but feel as though there was something different about the feel of the area. The intensity and compassion of the doctors was unlike anything she had experienced before.

As she made her way to her cousin, Mark Gerry’s room, she peered at each door, with a patient’s name on the outside.

“One day, their name wasn’t on the outside of that door and you wondered, did they benefit from all the research and all the care, or was it maybe too late for them?” Haney said.
Doctors told Gerry that if they could get him another year or two, they might have a cure for the colon cancer infiltrating his body. He died this past April 29 at age 59, and Haney is dedicating this year’s ride to him with the hope that someone else in his situation will get that extra time.
Olivia Tassinari and Franny Haney bring out the best in each other.
Olivia Tassinari and Franny Haney bring out the best in each other.

Of course, she’ll always ride for Olivia, but now she has extra motivation. Mark’s wife, Edna, and 17-year-old daughter, Alana, will be there to greet Haney at the finish line. Haney wishes she was riding in honor of Mark, like she is for Olivia, but instead, she’s prepared to ride in memory of him.

They talked in March about Haney riding the PMC in his memory this year if he didn’t make it. Though they were cousins, it felt to Haney more like they were siblings.

“I miss him all the time,” Haney said. “I get emotional now, thinking, about it, so I can’t imagine what it will feel like that day.”

Through the pain

This past November, Haney was heading to Europe to visit her son, who was studying abroad. She was at Santander Bank, and suddenly she turned around and broke her hip.

What would be an unpleasant injury for anyone was far worse for her because of a ghastly snowboarding accident she suffered in 2014. Haney shattered her entire left leg that day, and she currently has 17 pieces of hardware in that leg alone.

Riding is significantly more difficult now than when she first started, but that doesn’t stop her from trying.

“I go out for a ride and I pay for it for a couple days afterward,” Haney said. “Every single time that I’m in pain because of my leg, I have to remember that my pain is nothing compared to what they went through. This is the least that I could do. Does it hurt? Yes, it hurts. But it’s just the gift that I want to give.”

Haney also knows that nothing in life is a guarantee. She hopes she has decades in front of her, but she knows cancer runs in her family. People tend to think they’re invincible, but she’s learned through a sobering account of family history that that’s far from the case.

She’s seen those she loves die from testicular cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer, and she’s also seen how raising money can help save lives.

The PMC helps her celebrate life.

“People understand why you’re doing it,” Haney said. “I can’t wait to have that experience again.”

You can donate to Dana-Farber, on behalf of Franny Haney, at profile.pmc.org/FH0026.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Raised to the rafters

Boston College retires Duxbury legend Curley’s jersey



Duxbury’s Billy Curley salutes the crowd during halftime Sunday night. Boston College retired his jersey as part of a long-awaited ceremony, and Curley thanked the fans for all their support over the years. Photo by Trevor Hass
Duxbury’s Billy Curley salutes the crowd during halftime Sunday night. Boston College retired his jersey as part of a long-awaited ceremony, and Curley thanked the fans for all their support over the years. Photos by Trevor Hass

















Duxbury High School and Boston College basketball fans are accustomed to seeing Bill Curley raise his left hand high in the air.

The most iconic and lasting image is the March 28, 1994, Sports Illustrated cover, where he’s famously pictured celebrating the ninth-seeded Eagles’ stunning NCAA Tournament victory over No. 1 overall seed North Carolina.

Another recollection – a more all-encompassing one that fueled that Elite Eight run – is Curley’s trademark lefty hook shot. It signified the frustrating moment every basketball player has experienced, where the defender has a hunch what’s coming but has absolutely no clue how to stop it.

Curley’s left hand helped him launch an NBA career, but all elite players turn to their opposite hand every once in a while, and it was Curley’s right hand that spoke volumes Sunday night at Conte Forum.

The 6’9 skyscraper spent many nights occupying center stage at Boston College’s arena, but this was unchartered territory. Curley became the seventh player in Boston College men’s basketball history to have his jersey retired and raised to the rafters. As he finished addressing an appreciative crowd, Curley raised that right hand in the air, pumped his fist and delivered one final remark.

Duxbury’s Billy Curley was thrilled to have so many people he cares about there with him at Conte Forum as the Eagles retired his jersey. Photos by Trevor Hass
Duxbury’s Billy Curley was thrilled to have so many people he cares about there with him at Conte Forum as the Eagles retired his jersey.












“We couldn’t have done this without all of you,” Curley reminded the fans. “Your enthusiasm and support made Conte Forum a great place to play, and we will be forever grateful for you. Thank you, God bless BC.” Then came the fist pump. “Go Eagles!”

Curley, who grew up in Duxbury, still lives in town and is without question the best basketball player in school history, got his start at DHS. The lasting memory is that 1989 state title his junior year, but Curley notes there was a lot more to his career than one championship.

He garnered plenty of attention from top-level colleges, but he pointed out that the outside noise never distracted him from the experience of competing alongside his best friends. Curley said many of the players on that team were elite athletes who also played other sports, and the Dragons relied on an up-tempo brand of basketball.

Bill Curley used Sunday’s ceremony as a chance to catch up with his old teammates.
Bill Curley used Sunday’s ceremony as a chance to catch up with his old teammates.
















“Billy put DHS basketball on the map,” then junior varsity and current varsity coach Gordon Cushing said. “If you ever got to see him play, you better come two hours before game time, because they turned people away at the door one hour before tip due to a sellout.”

Curley, who was a McDonald’s All-American in 1990, could have played just about anywhere he wanted. He mulled over his options, but he decided to stay close to home. Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan called him the most important recruit in BC’s history.

The legendary upset over the Tar Heels was the pinnacle of success for the Eagles, but it didn’t happen by accident. Boston College sputtered to an 11-19 season his freshman year, yet Curley earned Big East Rookie of the Year honors in the process.
Billy Curley and his teammates find it hard to believe it’s been 25 years since they shocked the world in 1994.
Billy Curley and his teammates find it hard to believe it’s been 25 years since they shocked the world in 1994.
















BC made back-to-back trips to the National Invitation Tournament in 1992 and 1993, continuing to generate momentum for one final surge. The Eagles – guided by Curley, Howard Eisley and freshman phenom Danya Abrams – finished 23-11 and 11-7 in the venerated Big East, as Curley put up a monster stat line of 20 points, nine rebounds and 1.6 assists during the season.

“Everyone looks at Curls saying that he’s (6’9) and a lefty with a hook shot, but no one would outwork him, even the guards,” Abrams told the Clipper. “You can ask anyone. He was the hardest-working guy on that team.”

The Eagles struggled in the Big East Tournament, but they found a way to regroup and ultimately shock the Tar Heels en route to the Elite Eight.

“I remember growing up getting Sports Illustrateds and looking at them all, checking out the cover and reading what’s inside,” Curley told the Clipper. “I think I had like a million copies, almost like baseball cards you collect them. For us to be able to get on it was an incredible feat. We were in the right place at the right time.”
Moments after addressing the crowd, Bill Curley stands behind his jersey with his wife, Kim.
Moments after addressing the crowd, Bill Curley stands behind his jersey with his wife, Kim.
















Curley said he didn’t realize they made so many copies, and he dutifully signed dozens that came his way. After dominating at Duxbury, where winning was the expectation, Curley enjoyed the grind of making BC feel the same way.

He said it was a gratifying process to start from scratch and collectively work their way up to a trip to the Elite Eight.

“To be able to grow up and get your butt whooped pretty good, especially coming from Duxbury where you’re used to winning all the time, then you come here and it’s like, ‘Oh my goodness.’ It was an uphill battle, but we stuck together,” Curley said. “We were able to put together a competitive team and move this program in the right direction.”

The Eagles honored that 1994 team late in the first half of BC’s win 64-57 win over Miami on Sunday, just before Curley’s individual ceremony at halftime. Curley, who is currently the head coach at Emerson College, said he and his former teammates still keep in touch, particularly when coach Jim O’Brien is back in town looking to play a round of golf.
Boston College honored its 1993-94 men’s hoops team Sunday shortly before halftime of the Eagles’ game against Miami.
Boston College honored its 1993-94 men’s hoops team Sunday shortly before halftime of the Eagles’ game against Miami.











Curley, 46, enjoys reminiscing and joking around with his old pals, though he insists his golf game isn’t quite as crisp as some of theirs.

“I’m a hack,” Curley said. “I get killed. I just like to hit the ball. I’m a better shooter.”

BC fans would likely agree, and they showered him with applause as he spoke during the halftime ceremony. When his jersey was finally raised to the rafters, the consensus among those close to him was that it was long overdue.

He’ll forever be one of the most iconic athletes – not just basketball players – in Duxbury and Boston College history, and his family and friends were beaming with pride as they witnessed his latest accomplishment.

“My brothers and I have heard all the stories about his time at BC and how hard he worked,” DHS senior and Curley’s daughter, Caroline, said, “but to be there and see his old teammates and know how humbled he was to receive such an honor was really special. I know our whole family is so proud of him.”

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

The NBA is back, baby! Here are some storylines, predictions and bad jokes to get you ready

The NBA is back, baby! Don’t get me wrong, life is wonderful the whole year, but I’m honestly markedly happier during basketball season.

It’s so nice to come home after a long day, turn on the TV and watch the drama unfold.

If you’re keeping tabs on this league with the sole purpose of finding out which team wins the championship, you’re doing it all wrong. Spoiler: It will probably be the Golden State Warriors.

No, I’m not thrilled about the dynasty from a conceptual standpoint, either, but it’s where we are right now, so here are some other storylines to follow:

1) LeBron’s on the Lakers. No seriously, LeBron’s on the Lakers! It’s kind of wild, right? He took his talents to LA to play with Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee and Lonzo Ball, three of the most proven superstars this league has ever seen. Well, no, not quite, but don’t sleep on this team.

LeBron could probably take a Division III team to the NBA finals, so don’t rule the Lakers out this year. Do I think LA actually will make it to the Finals? No, I don’t, because the West is too loaded, but I do think the Lakers will make some noise.

This team is like a smoothie made by a toddler. You wouldn’t think cookie dough ice cream, Nutella, frozen blueberries, pineapple juice and graham crackers would go together, and you’re laughing as your nephew or niece blends it all together.

Then you begrudgingly drink it, and suddenly you realize that all the parts give you a little something, and maybe this smoothie isn’t as bad as you thought. It’s so crazy, it just might work.

2) Can the Rockets get over the hump? To say that the Rockets would have won an NBA title last year if Chris Paul had been healthy is unfair to the Warriors. To say that they could have is a statement of fact. Heck, they almost pulled it off without CP3, but alas, we were left wondering what could have been.

This year, they’re back and will try to get over the hump. But wait a minute? Where’s Trevor Ariza? You know, that guy who does literally everything well and has an awesome first name? Oh, he’s on the Suns? Well that’s too bad, but who’d they ge – CARMELOOOOO ANTHONYYYYY!!! Whoa! Hold up. Melo? *Googles highlights to feel better* *Remembers that highlights are exactly that and weeps*

But maybe it’ll work? It might. Who knows? But in my opinion, the Rockets got worse, while the Warriors got better. Not ideal for a team that’s really, really good, but likely not good enough.

3) That leads us to our next topic. Can anyone beat the Warriors in a seven-game series? Kyrie Irving thinks so. But is he right? We’ll have to see the Celtics play for a few months before we can really answer that question, but on paper, it appears they have the best shot. Kyrie looks as lethal as ever, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are one year better and Al Horford and the supporting cast are back doing what they do.

But a lot of how far the Celtics go this year will depend on how Gordon Hayward progresses long term. It’s unfair to ask a guy coming off such a miserable injury to immediately look like the all-star he once was. If I stopped writing for a year, I’d probably come back and forget how to spell. Well, OK, maybe that’s a bit extreme, but you get the idea.

I was tempted to say the Celtics would beat the Warriors, but there are just too many unknowns at this point. I do, however, think that Irving is right. They CAN beat the Warriors. Will they? Who knows, but probably not.

4) Wait a second. Didn’t you say there’s a lot more to the NBA than who wins the championship? Yes, I did! Nice active reading! Here are some other storylines:

- What the heck is going on with Jimmy Butler and the Wolves? This is like when Becca and Arie got together on The Bachelor, but then Arie decided he loved Lauren. Where the hell did that reference come from? I have no idea, but I watched one season and now it finally paid off, I guess?

But yeah, Becca’s the Wolves and Arie’s Jimmy Butler. It all makes sense. Just go with it. Butler decided he’s better off without the Wolves, so adios Becca and Arie. He gone! My best guess is the Heat become the Lauren in this scenario, but I could also see the Knicks or the Nets trading for him.

- There have been talks of having the top 16 teams, regardless of conference make the playoffs. It sounds ludicrous at first, but if you really think about it, it’s not that farfetched. Can you imagine Giannis and Anthony Davis facing off in the 8 vs. 9 matchup? Or the 16-seed Wizards trying to shock the 1-seed Rockets like UMBC did to Virginia last year. It’s like March Madness, but with longer collective wingspans and a less catchy theme song.

It’s something to keep in mind. It would give teams like the Blazers, Pelicans, Wolves, Spurs, Nuggets and Mavericks, who are all in the West and deserve to be in the playoffs, a better chance to dance.

- I mentioned Giannis a little while ago. Giannis, Giannis, Giannis. They don’t call him the Greek Freak for nothing. He’s already become one of the best players in the league, and he’s honestly not even close to as good as he can be.

There have been rumors floating around that his jumper is better than before. If that’s true, and he can hit shots with regularity, then all of a sudden he’s like Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis put together (80 percent of KD and 80 percent of AD = 160 percent of OMG; it’s simple math, people). There’s no denying he’s already a Top 10 player, but if he keeps getting better, he could blossom into the best player in the league in the next 3 to 5 years. Watching him grow (figuratively, not literally; he’s done enough of that, my goodness, slow down, dude) will be fun.

- All right, so we all know the West is loaded, but take a look at it for a second. The Warriors and Rockets are locks for the playoffs, but after that, there are no guarantees. You’d have to think the Lakers, Thunder and Jazz would make it, but we can’t say that with certainty. The Blazers, Pelicans, Spurs, Wolves, Nuggets and Mavericks, and maybe some other teams like the Suns and Clippers, are all in the mix.

- Last year, it came down to the final night, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this year unfolds similarly. Eight teams finished with between 46 and 49 wins a season ago. The Blazers got the 3-seed, but they were just three games from missing the playoffs altogether. The Nuggets were outstanding, but they came up just short. Every game matters!

5) Which brings us to our predictions:

East:

1) 76ers
2) Celtics
3) Bucks
4) Pacers
5) Raptors
6) Heat
7) Wizards
8) Hornets
9) Pistons
10) Cavaliers
11) Nets
12) Knicks
13) Magic
14) Hawks
15) Bulls

West:

1) Warriors
2) Rockets
3) Jazz
4) Lakers
5) Thunder
6) Blazers
7) Pelicans
8) Spurs
9) Nuggets
10) Wolves
11) Mavericks
12) Suns
13) Clippers
14) Kings
15) Grizzlies

Playoffs:

76ers over Hornets in 5
Celtics over Wizards in 5
Bucks over Heat in 6
Raptors over Pacers in 7

Celtics over Bucks in 6
76ers over Raptors in 7

Celtics over 76ers in 6

Warriors over Spurs in 5
Rockets over Pelicans in 7
Blazers over Jazz in 6
Lakers over Thunder in 7

Warriors over Lakers in 6
Rockets over Blazers in 6

Warriors over Rockets in 6

Warriors over Celtics in 6

Awards:

MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, LeBron James
Rookie of the Year: Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Luka Doncic
Sixth Man Award: JJ Redick, Jamal Crawford, Terry Rozier
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard
Most Improved Player: Josh Richardson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Aaron Gordon
Coach of the Year: Brett Brown, Mike Budenholzer, Luke Walton
All-NBA First Team: Steph Curry, James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, JaVale McGee (just seeing if you’re awake; it’s seriously Anthony Davis)

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the season. Please print this out and keep it by you as you watch every game. Just kidding. Don’t actually do that. Stop printing!! Cancel!!! Well, it’s too late. You printed it. Might as well read it religiously every night before you go to bed now.