Shawn Burgo

Shawn Burgo and his sister, Sonya, were ten years apart in age, and grew up on different sides of the country; he in Boston, she in LA. Yet even with such a distance, they had a bond and closeness seen with siblings that grew up in the same household. The two spoke often, especially in recent years, ending every conversation with “I love you.” A successful producer for CNN on the Larry King Show who also loved music and painting, Sonya was a Christian woman who was extremely talented, fiercely devoted, incredibly generous woman. As Shawn’s biggest supporter and cheerleader, she offered unwavering support as he grew up and pursued his passions – even when she didn’t always approve.

“Like everyone, I’ve often questioned the decisions I’ve made in my life. But it always seemed as though I could do no wrong in Sonya’s eyes,” said Shawn, who today trains students in self-defense practices as the co-founder of Krav Maga Boston. “Even with Krav Maga – she didn’t love the intensity or my injuries, yet she knew it was important to me. So she supported me 110 percent, and would even call me every time she saw anything about Krav Maga in the news.”

In 2004, Shawn was devastated when Sonya shared with him the news that she had been diagnosed with cancer, which had reached Stage IV. True to her strong personality and faith, Sonya kept a positive attitude and her spirits high. She beat the odds by giving birth to a healthy son, Zion, despite her illness and complications – which included an umbilical cord so small that doctors were amazed Zion had received the nutrients he needed to survive. Sonya went on to see her son’s first birthday, celebrate his first Christmas, and even hear him say mommy.

Throughout Sonya’s illness, Shawn made regular trips from his home in Boston to see her in LA – and quickly realized how complex a simple visit to the hospital could become for families already facing the incredible hardship of fighting cancer. Struck by the astronomical parking fees at Cedar-Sinai hospital, where Sonya was being treated, Shawn asked the families of patients on Sonya’s floor how they coped with the other, non-medical costs of cancer treatment – from parking to paying rent and buying groceries. Many confessed that they had sold their cars, even their homes to cover the mounting costs. Shawn himself had cleaned out his own savings, and leaned on family members so that he could always be by his beloved sister’s side – including his father, who generously footed Shawn’s travel bills when he could not longer afford to pay for them himself.

“It was amazing to realize that just getting to the hospital can be such a huge expense – before you even get to the treatment and other costs of fighting cancer. You just don’t know it until you’re facing it,” said Shawn. “In addition to the financial burden, the stress of those additional costs only makes matters worse for people who are already on an emotional roller coaster.”

Inspired to action, Shawn began looking for organizations that could help, and found Family Reach Foundation right in his own backyard. He immediately started looking for ways to raise funds, engaging everyone he knew to participate in fundraisers – from gathering a group of friends at a local bar and donating the proceeds, to encouraging colleagues to donate prizes for Family Reach events like Celtics and Bruins tickets, to hosting seminars at Krav Maga to inform people about the organization.

When Sonya passed away in December 2006, Shawn was even more motivated to continue his mission of spreading the word about Family Reach in her memory. Through his efforts he and Krav Maga Boston have raised more than $15,000, which has been provided to other families struggling to make ends meet in the face of cancer.

“I learned so much from Sonya but one of the most important lessons she taught me in her illness is what a difference hope can make,” said Shawn. “I often think about how Krav Maga gives you the skills to defend yourself in the worst possible situation. When you’re fighting cancer, those physical skills won’t get you anywhere – all you can do is keep your focus, and have hope. That’s what Family Reach helps people do.”