They climb mountains, run marathons, save lives, and give back, all with the same unstoppable spirit. Meet the Westport Warriors: neighbors who prove that strength takes many forms, and that when we move with purpose, we inspire an entire community to do the same.
Dr. Ronnie Klein and Monica Mancusi-Ungaro: Westport Moms on a Mission
This past summer, Westport moms (and close friends) Dr. Ronnie Klein and Monica Mancusi-Ungaro set out on a global wellness journey that redefined “family vacation.” Along with three of their teenage sons, the two families traveled to Tanzania for a medical and humanitarian mission that brought hope, healing, and clean water to a rural orphanage community in Arusha.
Through their nonprofit, Travel with Purpose, the group partnered with the Osiligi Hope Foundation, which supports orphaned children and women raising children with disabilities. Before even boarding their flight, the boys—Lucas Klein, along with Trey and Leo Mancusi-Ungaro—helped raise more than $9,000 through a GoFundMe campaign. The funds were used to build a protective wall for the orphanage, install water tanks, and purchase essential food and medical supplies.
The group spent their days playing with the children, running clinics, and helping with construction. Dr. Klein, a dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology here in town, also assisted at local hospitals, even delivering three babies in a facility without a doctor on duty. “It was miraculous and heartbreaking all at once,” she says. “The people have so little, yet their warmth and gratitude were overwhelming.”
For Monica, the experience underscored the power of connection. “Watching our boys form bonds with the local children was incredibly moving,” she says. “They saw firsthand that happiness doesn’t come from what you have, but from how you live.”
For both families, the trip was a transformative reminder that compassion, wellness, and global awareness can begin right at home.
To support Travel with Purpose, visittravelwithpurposeinc.com
Reid Moritz: Leading the Pack
At just 11 years old, Westport’s Reid Moritz has already shown more courage than most people do in a lifetime. Diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after his second birthday, Reid has spent most of his young life in and out of hospitals undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and multiple clinical trials. But through it all, he’s met each challenge with grit, grace, and an unshakable sense of purpose.
After traditional chemotherapy failed to stop the tumor’s growth, Reid’s doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering secured his spots in groundbreaking clinical trials. Each one was a leap of faith. The results were remarkable: dramatic tumor shrinkage, life-changing stability, and new hope for children facing similar diagnoses. “Reid is living proof of why continued research and funding matter,” says his mom, Ryan.
But Reid’s story isn’t just about surviving: he’s paying it forward. At just four years old, he launched Reid’s Wolfpack, a Cycle for Survival team raising money for pediatric cancer research. What began as a small effort with bongos on a New York City sidewalk has grown into a national movement that’s raised more than half a million dollars. Locally, Westport families, friends, and businesses rally behind the cause, with special spin rides and “Wolfpack Days” at school.
Today, Reid’s tumor is stable, allowing him a well-earned break from treatment and the chance to focus on spreading hope instead of fighting fear. He leads with empathy and energy while he designs his own swag, organizes toy drives, and reminds everyone that “you’re not alone in this fight.” His mom adds: “He’s taught us that real resilience isn’t pretending everything’s fine. It’s believing in better days, even on the hardest ones.”
His motto remains simple but powerful: never give up.
For more on Reid’s Wolfpack or to support his mission, visit reidswolfpack.org
Brian McGarvey: A Marathon of the Mind
For Westport’s Brian McGarvey, running was never about changing his body. It was about mastering his mind. What began five years ago as a bid to feel healthier soon became something deeper: a daily act of mental renewal. “Every run made me feel clearer, calmer, stronger,” he says. “It taught me how to push through challenges, in running and in life.”
That mental toughness was tested this past November, when Brian crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon. He did it all while still being a husband to wife Kate, a dad to their three kids, a digital asset advisor for The Bitcoin Advisory, and on the board of Staples Tuition Grants. (He thanks his family for supporting his training; he also gives a special nod to his 12-year-old daughter Maggie, who went on several runs with him to help keep him motivated, especially toward the end of training.)
Brian ran to raise awareness for Positive Directions, a Westport nonprofit supporting mental health and substance misuse prevention. “Everyone is touched by mental health, directly or indirectly,” he says. “Positive Directions helps our community, especially our youth, learn how to navigate those struggles with strength and support.” He also acknowledges the support of local business Rhone, whose sponsorship helped him focus on training and equipped him for the marathon.
On race day, with his family on the sidelines cheering him on and friends cheering him from afar, Brian finished the marathon in 3 hours and 48 minutes. “It felt like everyone was running with me,” he says. “You should do hard things. Growth lives in that space between struggle and perseverance.”
“Running changed the way I think,” Brian says. “It showed me how strong the mind can be. That’s something I’ll carry far beyond the finish line.”
To support Positive Directions, visit positivedirections.org
Caroline de Lasa: Turning Survival into a Mission to Save Lives
In 2014, Caroline de Lasa's life changed forever when she suffered sudden cardiac arrest at the Saugatuck Rowing Club. Thanks to the quick thinking of trained staff - including a Vietnam veteran who recognized the signs and performed high-quality CPR - and the rapid response of Westport's firefighters, who revived her, Caroline survived what is so often a fatal event.
That miraculous day gave her a new purpose. Determined to help others have the same second chance, Caroline dedicated herself to raising cardiac awareness and strengthening community preparedness. She rebuilt her life—returning to her love of fitness and welcoming another child, Camille—while channeling her gratitude into meaningful action.
In 2025, Caroline joined In A Heartbeat (IAHB), a nonprofit founded by fellow survivor Mike Papale. Together, they work to prevent cardiac deaths through youth heart screenings, CPR training, and AED donations. Their impact has been profound—since February 2025 alone, four children’s lives have been saved through screenings. In Westport, a past screening identified a heart abnormality in a young boy named Lachlan, now a thriving high school freshman after life-saving surgery.
In the U.S., a vast number of sudden cardiac arrest cases stem from underlying conditions that are detectable through comprehensive screenings, like those IAHB provides. The organization’s success depends on dedicated physicians and volunteers who give their time and hearts to this mission.
This month, IAHB launches a major AED Drive to raise $100,000 to donate 66 AEDs to at-risk schools and communities. “It costs just $25 to screen a child and potentially save a life,” Caroline says. “We’re thrilled to bring our first screenings to Bridgeport and New Haven—and we’re just getting started.”
Through courage, compassion, and gratitude, Caroline de Lasa reminds us that one second chance can spark a movement to save many more lives.
To support In a Heartbeat or to learn more, visit inaheartbeat.org
John Sharian: Climbing with Purpose
For most runners, a trail is a place to unwind. For Westport resident and personal trainer John Sharian, now in his 60s, the trail has become both a test of endurance and a mission of purpose.
Ten years ago, while training alongside former U.S. Army Delta Force operators—a branch of elite military personnel—John heard veteran Tom Spooner of the Frontline Healing Foundation speak about the unseen toll of service. Deeply moved, he decided to support the cause through physical challenges.
His first step came six years ago, when he climbed Mt. Washington, part of New Hampshire’s rugged Presidential Traverse. As two trail runners passed him on the ascent, inspiration struck: In his next challenge, he would run the entire range himself to raise awareness and funds for Frontline Healing.
Training has evolved over the years—from hill mileage and stair climbs to strength work and long runs—all to prepare for his most recent 40-mile journey across New Hampshire’s Super Pemi Loop, with a vertical elevation gain of 10,000 feet. Visualization became his meditation, allowing him to “mentally live in the mountains” as he trained. His diet is primarily carnivore, supported by extra hydration and electrolytes.
For John, each one of these mammoth runs begins before sunrise with his headlamp on, carrying water, bacon, and shortbread cookies in his hydration vest. The solitude, he says, is both humbling and grounding. “When the sun rises, there is a great deal of comfort in seeing it and feeling the warmth,” he says.
Supported by local friends Cormac Treanor and Nick Jones, who drive him to trailheads and meet him at the finish, and his wife Nicola, who monitors his route from afar, John has turned his annual run into a Westport tradition of resilience and generosity.
“Being active feels natural,” he says. “It’s about pushing limits, and being comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
As founder of LAS Physical Training, John brings that same philosophy to his clients, proving that strength, purpose, and passion don’t fade with age. Next year, he plans to link both mountain ranges for a grueling 50-mile effort, another test of endurance and heart from someone who believes true health is built on movement, mindset, and the will to keep going.
To support the Frontline Healing Foundation, visit frontlinehealingfoundation.org