As a trainer at Franco’s Athletic Club, Donnie was the “king motivator,” encouraging members to continue their exercise programs when they wanted to quit. He would quickly identify them and gently push them to stick with their plans. His constant coaching, unwavering confidence and encouragement could make an Ironman out of just about anyone, even though they might begin with only a short sprint triathlon!

William Preau, a triathlon training partner of Donnie’s, recalls: “I had always been a runner and triathlete wanna-be. Then I met Donnie, and he became my swim coach, mentor, confidant, and inspiration. He was at the finish line of my first triathlon five years ago, yelling at the top of his lungs ‘YOU ARE A TRIATHLETE.’ I have never been happier than I was at that moment. Triathletes suffer a lot in training and racing; it is a brotherhood in pain. Donnie was the Pied Piper on the northshore. We saw him suffer and succeed, so we knew we could do it, too.”

Sue Boudreaux took the green squeaking frog from Donnie’s bike with her to Hawaii. She put it on her bike as a reminder that Donnie would be with her as she struggled to become an Ironman Hawaii finisher. She did more than finish, coming in sixth in her age group. “I thought of Donnie the entire race in Kona. I attached his green frog horn to my bike—it was always on his bike during training rides, and he used it to let us know when he was around—and honked it constantly at spectators and participants. Not only did everyone get a laugh from it, I got inspiration. Donnie always preached the spirit of Ironman—Anything is Possible! The last mile of the marathon was very emotional and tearful, and I felt Donnie’s love and spirit with me.”

With great personal satisfaction, Donnie has helped untold numbers of people. The life skills he taught are just as important outside the gym as in it—if not more so—and he taught that, as well. That is Donzaroo’s gift to all who have benefited from his friendship and encouragement. It’s also why those who know him are so motivated to help him in his time of need.

Vicki Jarrell, Donnie’s sister, recalls a story from their childhood that shows how Donnie’s character would emerge: “Donnie has always been a teacher ... the person who pushes you to do more ... to be more. When I was nine years old, I still could not ride a bike. I was terrified of trying. One sunny afternoon, eight-year-old Donnie decided that it was time for me to learn. He convinced me that with his help I would be fine. I remember sitting on the bike at the top of the hill, petrified. Donnie stood behind me holding on to the back of the bike. I will never forget his voice in my ear ... you can do this ... you can do this. Meanwhile, in my head, I kept thinking ... I can’t do this ... I can’t do this. We started down the hill, my heart pounding out of my chest, with Donnie keeping pace on his eight-year-old legs. At some point, my fear got the best of me and the litany inside of my head burst from my lips. I screamed, ‘I CAN’T DO THIS!’ From somewhere back on the top of the hill, I heard my brother Donnie shout, ‘YOU ALREADY ARE! You already are!’

“From that point on, anytime I have been afraid to do something I hear Donnie’s voice in my head ... you can do this ... you already are. My little brother has taught me many things in this lifetime that, until now, I thought were important. Now I realize that he is teaching me how to value every moment, and, when it is all said and done, love is what matters most.”

Brad Creel is Donnie’s assistant. He says, “I’ve know Donnie since I was 10 years old. He was one of my swim coaches. Most people just hang around kids to supervise them and make sure they don’t blow anything up, but Donnie really wanted to hang out with us. You could tell. He ended up being a great friend and brother.
 
“About a year after my high school graduation, I moved back home and started sleeping in way too late, according to Donnie. He would call me just about every morning at about 6:30. I wouldn’t answer the phone, but I would hear his voice: “HEY BUDE—a nickname we gave each other a while back—GET UP!!! IT’S TIME TO START YOUR DAY!! COME ON, MAN! GET UP AND GO FOR A RUN! HELLO? HELLO!” He would never let me get too lazy without reminding me to get back on track.”

Donnie’s friends have founded The Donnie Jarrell Fund, a charity to help with his treatment expenses and to build a trust fund for his three-year-old daughter, Logan. Given human nature, charity can often be trendy—practiced so the donor can be seen as charitable, though not necessarily involving caring or even knowing about the beneficiary. In Donnie’s case, quite the opposite is true. His friends’ passion is totally personal.

William Preau says: “For me, the drive to do everything I can for him is because HE is a GIVER in the most unselfish way. Some people give to receive something in return. Donnie would GIVE, GIVE, GIVE of himself, and his time and expertise just to try to make you better. He was always ready with a kind suggestion for improving my swimming, or running, or cycling. He was an excellent triathlete, winning awards at every race. I was a beginner, a middle-of-the-pack bum. He didn’t even have to talk to me, but he did. He was not a paid coach, just a friend trying to unselfishly help you and others get better. He did this for me for the five years of my triathlon career; other people he knew for 15 years. That’s a lot of unselfish giving! A guy like that deserves everything I can possibly do for him.”

Melissa Kujawa recalls her first triathlon race, one that exemplifies the man that Donnie is. “He gave up his place at the start of the race to run back to his truck because someone needed a bike part and he had one to give. I remember thinking: ‘Oh, no! They’re going to shoot the gun off and he’ll miss his wave helping this other guy he doesn’t even know.’ I will never forget him doing that. That’s just one example of why it is so easy, for me at least, to want to give back to Donnie when he needs it most.”

As news of his condition spreads, people who consider themselves lucky to be counted among Donnie’s friends continue to give of themselves, just as he had done for them. The seemingly tireless efforts of people like Shannon Allison, Sue Boudreaux, Brad Creel, Lenny Culicchia, Salty Galvis, Ben Hewett, Charlie Hoolihan, Melissa Kujawa, Tony LeMon, Jody Lynch, William Preau, Robin Robert, Tony Zelenka and countless others are contagious. A recent bicycle ride had more than 200 documented participants. I asked Melissa what she considered the common factor that motivates so many people to rally around Donnie. “Everyone has benefited from their friendship with Donnie,” she says. “He is always so positive and supportive. He would finish a race early, because he was such a superior athlete, and then go back to the finish line and stay until the last runner crossed, giving encouragement, especially to the slower runners.”

The group’s athletic and social events are not only fundraisers; they have even more important functions. They raise Donnie’s sprits and keep him motivated to fight the disease. They inspire him to keep living, attending triathlons, concerts, Saturday bicycle training rides and many other events. For many ALS sufferers, combating the depression that often follows ALS is a struggle; for Donzaroo’s friends, it is their mission to help him cope.

Why would someone invest so much emotionally and go to so much trouble for someone who isn’t family? When I asked Donnie’s friends this question, they invariably answered, “If you knew Donnie, you’d know why. Let me tell you what he did for me.”

I wish I had met Donnie Jarrell before his illness, but it is inspiring to know that the power of his giving spirit is reflected every day in the circle of friends he has around him now.

Brad Creel says: “After Donnie was diagnosed … I kept thinking about what [he] was going to do when he couldn’t take care of himself anymore. I asked one of his buddies, Robert Santopadre, and he said he would check on it for me. Well, it was the right time to ask the question, because they were looking. They talked to Donnie about me, he said yes, and, after thinking about it for a few minutes, I decided to take the job.

“I know it’s easier said than done, but Donnie is a living example of how to duck your head down and plow through the hard times. I see it almost every day. When we are just hanging out, it’s not ‘Donnie with ALS’ that I’m hanging out with. It’s the Donnie that wouldn’t stop calling me at 6:30 in the morning. He’s a great friend to have.”

Shannon Allison has known Donnie a long time. He spends many Tuesday afternoons with him. He says, “Friendship is like a fine wine; over time it matures and becomes much better than when it was first bottled. My friendship with Donnie is like that fine wine. Our relationship has grown from one of mutual admiration as competitors, to one of mutual respect as professionals, to one of true love for a fellow human.”

“I give thanks everyday for the love that I get from Donnie and the love that I am privileged to give to Donnie. It is a gift that is enjoyed only when it is given away. My hope is that many more people will go beyond the beginning friendship phase and risk moving to the next level—it’s awesome!!

You may never get to meet Donnie, but you can help his friends make a difference in his life and the lives of his wife, Tonya, and their daughter, Logan. Visit the Donnie Jarrell Foundation website at www.donzaroo.com to find out how you can be a part of the Donzaroo phenomenon.