A MESSAGE FROM Teddy Liouliakis Fundraising
My life was forever changed on 9/11. I was running to the Hudson River Park with my girlfriend at the time who would later become my wife, Yvette Quiazon, and witnessed the events of this day unfold first hand. Ultimately, this day led us to become inseparable and start a lifelong journey of living, loving and starting companies and working together. However, the long arc of that day reached out and took Yvette from me 24 years later on June 24, 2025, through a super rare Adenocarcinoma linked to 9/11 toxin exposure.
We met through mutual friends in early 2001, and I instantly fell in love with her upon first sight. Yvette was always keen to help people as she was a warm and loving person and I dubbed her the downtown den mother as a result. She was a philanthropist at heart, with a special passion for mentoring girls. In 2012, we along with Jade Snow and Dan Colen, spearheaded the Dash Snow Initiative with other downtown friends and artists in memory of the artist and our late friend, which raised $1 million for Henry Street Settlement’s Boys & Girls Republic. I’ve been very gratified to serve as a Henry Street Board member ever since then.
Yvette lived a life of creativity and adventure. She was the one who got me into running–we ran the Hawaii half-Marathon a couple times and would finish the race by holding hands, her pulling me over the finish line of course. In Yvette’s waning days, she found her old diary with a Bucket List from 1997. Most things were crossed off, like Eat Chinese Food in China (which we did together), and Fall in Love (which I hope was with me!). One of her few Bucket List items left was Run a Full Marathon. After watching 26.2, a film by dear friend and collaborator, Nicolas Heller, it inspired me to run the NYC marathon and by the grace of god was able to secure a last minute spot in November.
I’m running the NYC Marathon this Fall to fulfill Yvette’s dream (and mine), and to raise money for Henry Street’s social service, arts, and health care programs which we care deeply about.
I’ve been grieving intensely over the last year, but one of the things that gives me comfort is running, and knowing that Yvette is always cheering me on. Your love and support will be what will get me over the finish line! Thank you for supporting me, celebrating Yvette’s memory, and for helping Henry Street open doors of opportunity for our Lower East Side neighbors.
With immense gratitude and love, Teddy Liouliakis
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