Salsaga Blog

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — What most people would consider tragedies, 55-year-old Skippack, Pa., resident Denny Chipollini, considers gifts. Chipollini has experienced a series of life-altering events, including the loss of his leg in a near-fatal car accident and the contraction of Hepatitis C through a blood transfusion.(Photo: )”Today I refer to my accident and the loss of my leg as ‘gifts’ because these events helped me to change my life for the better,” says Chipollini.Despite being an amputee, Chipollini is a personal trainer and a motivational speaker. He’ll also be running in the Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-mile Run on April 20 at Valley Forge National Historical Park, in King of Prussia, along with some other people he’s helped motivate, including local artist Michael Ticcino of Audubon, Pa.Three years ago an overweight Ticcino walked into Kinetix Sports Club in Lower Providence Township, where Chipollini is a trainer, and said “I’m not sure why I’m here, but my doctor says I should be. I just quit smoking, and I stopped drinking. I want to get in shape.”After about six months, the 55-year-old Ticcino dropped 30 pounds and Chipollini convinced him to run a five kilometer race. After the race, he was hooked. He began a running routine at Valley Forge National Historical Park and from the time spent working out there, Ticcino, a graphic designer by trade, was so inspired he began taking photos of the scenery. He posted them on a photo-sharing Web site that caught the attention of Park officials, leading to a first-of-its-kind exhibit at the Park’s welcome center.In addition to Ticcino, Chipollini also motivated a team of 24 employees and members of Kinetix to run in the annual five-mile race.”Valley Forge has a history rich with inspiration and courage and we’re finding that many of our Revolutionary Run participants, like Denny, have amazing personal stories that are important to share,” said race director Martha Mayo.Registration for the Mid-Atlantic USA Track and Field-sanctioned race costs $20 for the five-mile run and $15 for the three-mile walk. The one-mile youth fun run is free and begins at 8:05 a.m. The run starts at 8:30 a.m. The event kicks off National Park Week and its proceeds will benefit Valley Forge National Historical Park trail maintenance.For more information or to register, go to .About Valley Forge National Historical ParkValley Forge National Historical Park educates present and future generations of Americans about one of the most defining events in our nation’s history by preserving the natural and cultural resources that commemorate the encampment of the Continental Army at Valley Forge in 1777-78. To learn more visit .About Valley Forge Convention and Visitors BureauThe Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ltd. is a nonprofit, membership-based sales and marketing organization that aggressively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by encouraging patronage of its 500-plus member hotels, restaurants, attractions and services. The Bureau’s web site, , serves visitors, residents, meeting planners and tour operators. Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau

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