Josef Von Schmidt Winner of the 2013 Connie Durfee Memorial Award By Mr. Charity Christopher Annino and Miss Rula

Connie Durfee was born January 29, 1986 and lost her battle with CYSTIC FIBROSIS on January 30, 2013... Just 1 day after her 27th birthday Connie Durfee lost her battle with Cystic Fibrosis. Connie Durfee always enjoyed helping people and was secretary for Center Groton Fire Department and was the founding member of the Misstery Girls https://www.facebook.com/pages/Misstery-Girls/356695274426102 . She fought every day just to breathe... something we all take for granted.  Connie was one of the kindest sweetest goofiest, happiest, lovable, and strong people you would ever meet. Anywhere or anyone she was around she would always brighten their day despite what she had to deal with. She loved life and everyone in it.  “She left behind a family, friends and an amazing boyfriend that she loved with all her heart and soul. I learned so much about a disease i never even heard of before I met Connie and it’s a shame that so many have no clue what CF is” said Krista Apuzzo. Please take a moment and check out www.cff.org

 Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

During the last year of her life she did many things knowing she had limited time on this planet she lived to live she didn’t live to die. She was a ring girl for Showcase Pro Wrestling in Woonsocket RI, a model, she was in a traveling circus, she took pride in going to Worcester Photo Studios Great Model Shoot events in Mass, and she also was making waves in the Cystic Fibrosis world trying to raise awareness. Some of her favorite people to work with in pro wrestling was Johnny Rey Justus, Cargill Vinton, Nikki Lee NPC Womens Physique Competitor, The New Haven Circus Collaborative, The Human Floor, and Chris Blackheart. By having this award we memorialize her name and we continue her mission to help raise awareness for cystic fibrosis research. In 2012 there was a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis but Connie was too ill to take part. The winner of the first ever Cystic Fibrosis Wrestling For a Cure Rumble was Nicholas Night.

 When Connie passed the award was changed to the Connie Durfee Memorial Award https://www.facebook.com/pages/Connie-Durfee-Memorial-Award/362625917159322?ref=br_tf  The award now has a new purpose it recognizes a man or woman in the pro wrestling industry who gives back to the community. The award is also to promote cystic fibrosis awareness and to help fight for a cure http://www.cff.org/

This year the award was given to Josef Von Schmidt for his constant work with youth and local charities. Josef Von Shcmidt truly represents everything that is great about pro wrestling I know for a fact that Connie would be happy that Josef Von Schmidt from Pro Wrestling Academy Ct http://www.prowrestlingacademyct.com/ received this award. On September 15, 2013 the award will be presented at the one year anniversary show which is also the Tough 8 tournament https://www.facebook.com/events/216385975183572/ Sunday, September 15, 2013, St. Sebastian Club     Doors Open: 2:00PM, 86 Father Salemi Dr.    Belltime: 2:30PM, Ansonia, CT