Testimonials & Letters

Dear Never Quit Tour/ Gerard, Karina and Erik Petroni,

It was an honor and pleasure to speak at the Never Quit Tour at Nease High School and the Beach Fest Event. As someone who cared for Captain Gerard Petroni, I can tell you that he and his family’s story is nothing short of amazing. The story of Captain Petroni and his undiagnosed/uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) is a disorder that many people in the United States have but are completely unaware of. Hypertension is known as a ‘silent killer’ because it takes the lives of people suddenly before they have any symptoms. Such was the case of Capt Petroni, with a sudden catastrophic brain hemorrhage.

Capt Petroni’s story is so amazing because he not only survived a devastating brain hemorrhage, but also made a fantastic recovery. Capt Petroni’s brain hemorrhage was from a Charcot Bouchard micro aneurysm (from hypertension) and intra-ventricular hemorrhage (bleeding within the cavities of the brain) which has a mortality of 80% or higher. To see Capt Petroni’s comeback from this type of brain injury is an inspiration and testament to an incredible man’s powerful will and a family’s unwavering love and passion for their father and husband. Capt Petroni’s story also inspires those in the medical profession who cared for him in saving his life. Seeing Capt Petroni’s comeback now inspires the medical team the next time someone comes in with a similar condition.

Capt Petroni’s story gives a wonderful message to the public about risk factors for stroke (brain attack) and heart attack. The events are very positive and inspiring to everyone. In this way, Capt Petroni’s story helps to save other people’s lives by knowing about their own health condition. Those that attended the Never Quit Tour at the Beach Fest and the High Schools all took away a powerful message: that knowledge is power, and knowing your health risk factors can impact decisions which can tremendously change your life in a meaningful way.

It was again an honor and pleasure to speak at these unique and positive events.

Sincerely,
W. David Freeman, M.D.
Neurocritical Care Division, Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit Director
Departments of Neurology and Critical Care
Mayo Clinic
Jacksonville, Fl

The Never Quit Beach Event exceeded our expectations. Not only was the weather picture-perfect, but the community turnout was great and their overall participation in the day’s activities made for an exciting event. Unlike other “grab and go” tent events, we were excited to see the level of genuine interest in eye health and the benefits of ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses. We feel that through the health messages of this event, we made a difference in people’s lives.

Paul Madson
Director, Marketing
VISTAKON®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

The Never Quit Beach Fest was the most successful first time run that 1st Place Sports has staged in a few years. Over 480 runners and walkers took part in the inaugural event. I was very impressed by all the great activities that were available for the race participants. There were also lots of activities for the kids. I think this event has lots of room to grow in the younger age-groups. With an earlier start next year this event could attract +1,000 participants.

Doug Alred
Owner
1st Place Sports

I want to Thank the Petroni Family for starting the Never Quit Beach Fest. My journey to finding this wonderful race began for me in March 2010. I had started walking to loose weight and tackle some back issues. I had 2 wonderful friends that had started running 5k's earlier in the year, Denise and Holly, it was quite a challenge for me but I soon joined their team we became TEAM DHC. Each month we would try and meet up and do 2 run/walks a month and find 5k's that we could support with causes we were interested in. At one race I told the ladies my dream would be to run one on the beach and as soon as I got home that day I started looking for races. I came across the Never Quit Beach Fest that was close enough for us to drive to do, little did I know when I got to their site to check for info I would find MY perfect cause. A race and day of amazing events for educating people on Stroke Awareness and High Blood pressure. I started CRYING as I watched the videos their Family had put together, you see my brother Oz had a stroke in 2009 at the age of 39. I decided then I would NEVER QUIT for him. My family and team decided we would join and do the race.

It was so exciting the morning of the race to walk out onto the sand and be amongst all the runners, the sun coming up over the ocean, it was beautiful! As we looked around I noticed they had little stations set up to have your Blood pressure taken, I insisted my husband Tim and I get ours taken. Our OMG moment came when they told him his Blood pressure was high 180/104 and we needed to visit the docs station before doing the Race. He had no idea his Blood Pressure was high, he had been complaining that his hands had been getting very tight lately but never did we connect the two. We ran the Race with our children that day in honor of my brother Oz and as soon as we returned home Tim made an appointment with our family doctor. We now watch our sodium intake, exercise and check his blood pressure often. Our Family has decided this race will be one we do every year for our family vacation and we tell everyone we know to get their Blood pressure taken.

I have always Believed God directs you in Life to people and places for a reason . That day I learned I will Never Quit, Never! for my Brother Oz and my husband Tim. I am so Thankful he directed my path to start walking and join my ladies team. Again Thank You to the Petroni Family for your continuing drive to educate families on Strokes and Regular Check ups on their Blood pressure.

From : Tim and Cindi Smith

Ponte Vedra High School Student
Hey Karina!

I’m really sorry I couldn’t have told you this in person (I really wanted to! and to meet you!!) but I had to go to class right after the presentation you gave at Ponte Vedra High School. So I decided to send you an e-mail letting you know how great your speech was and how much it impacted me.

First off, I thought your whole presentation was inspirational and up-lifting. What you and your family have gone through and overcome is incredible! Your dad and your family are true role models. I thought your whole cause of Never Quit and to be healthy and live a healthy and happy life is a great! It really impacted me to be more aware of what I am eating and how much I should be excising each day. It’s hard with school and the stress of homework, tests, and exams (especially since I’m applying time towards junior college) to get in time to exercise (even 30 min.) and watch what I eat , but after hearing your speech- that I can do whatever I want to do- I just can’t ever quit- I decided right there and then that from now on I’m going to make the time to exercise and watch what I eat and just make a healthier lifestyle for me. Also, as soon as my mom picked me up, I immediately started telling her about you, your family, and your cause (I also made my whole family watch your video, and I have told all my friends and their parents to watch the video, and how we must change our diets and the importance of our parents to get checked up at a hospital for high blood pressure, etc. It has been the same reaction with most of my friends that saw you speak.)

Now, as a family, we are all going to exercise every day for at least 30 min. It’s great!! Don’t get me wrong, I mean our family has never been super unhealthy or anything- it’s just after hearing your speech and seeing your dad and how healthy he was and what happened to him- I just really wanted my family and I (and all other families) to be really aware of what we re eating and to be excising daily, and getting checked up with doctors so we don’t take advantage of the body we have. On top of influencing me to make a healthy life for myself your story also helped me to see that I can Never quit- that even though I don’t really know what I want to be, I have a ton of options open to me- and I just can’t quit trying. Your whole presentation was so amazing and inspirational, I cannot tell you enough!

Also, I was not the only one who was impacted, a lot of my friends, and just random people I heard talking in the hall, were really really inspired and influenced by your presentation saying how they want to never quit doing this and doing that. Your whole presentation was just incredible! We loved how you and your brother set it up to be more relaxing and Q and A, instead of just preaching to us, this was a great idea and really made your points get across to everyone much better.

Also I LOVED what your brother said to the guys about loving, caring for and respecting girls, it was GREAT!!! I find it unbelievable that you haven’t had a boyfriend! (I mean if such beautiful women’s pro surfer can’t get a great guy for a boyfriend, I seriously don’t think there is any hope for the rest of us! ) Also, at the same time,- this is going to sound really weird- but I thought it was really cool because I haven’t had a boyfriend either, but seeing you, made me realize I can be totally awesome without one! I thought just seeing you and hearing about you and all you and your family have overcome was amazing, but to actually SEE your Dad and HEAR him read that poem IF and sing that song with all of us, I mean, Wow, there are no words to express how breath taking and just truly amazing and inspirational that was!

I cant believe your only 21 and already have such an amazing grasp on life and have so much going for you and so much to offer! Anyway, I just really wanted to tell you all that and ask how my friends and I can help with your Beach Festival and become involved. You said something about having volunteers but I’m not sure how we go about becoming one. So whenever you get a chance if you could let me know, we would really like to help out!

Anyway thanks so much for coming to our school and really opening our schools eyes and giving an All-Around Amazing, Inspirational, Presentation! Good luck with your surfing!!

Sincerely,
Cathy
P. S.
Sorry this was really long!

Name: Rob Munchbach
Subject: Hi from a new fan
Sept 16, 2008

I read that you like diving with Wendell. Sasso? I’m told to mention I learned to surf with Darren Dean. Friends with Becky and Matt Tomlet? Yup, me too. Are you likely to surf any local swell we get from approaching storms? My pacemaker has healed, and my heart does allow me to surf a bit. I’ll be at Jetty Park, but I would LOVE to meet you and chat out past the breakers.

Best Wishes,
Munchbach

Name: Yannick
Subject: Film
Sept 15, 2008

hey :) i just wanted to say that your film was absolutely amazing.. the things you and your family went threw but you all kept strong!! you are an example really :)
hope your family is ok and keep surfing because you rock lol :D

“never quit” :D