The Man Who Started it All: Orlin Camerlo
When Tim Moore and Orlin Camerlo met in college, they had no idea where their future paths would lead them. Tim describes Orlin as “his good buddy who had hoop earrings and a half-shaved head.” In July of 2008, Tim and his wife Tania’s daughter, Tatum, was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, and their doctor gave them the ultimatum: you can either give up, or fight like hell. And fight they did! Tim’s life and his family’s whole trajectory changed forever. Their dreams, and their hopes, were all altered.
A few years after Tatum’s diagnosis, Orlin went to Tim and wondered, “Why haven’t you asked for help?” It was only then that Tim and his family were able to swallow their pride and accept help from their great group of friends. With Tim's go-ahead, Orlin took it upon himself to step up and join the fight for his friend’s family. Orlin, along with a few other friends, started brainstorming ideas and mapping out the concept and strategy of Risers 4 Rett and how they would use it as a platform to help Rett families raise money. Ed Kammerer, another friend of Tim's, was all in on the Risers 4 Rett idea as soon as he met Orlin and found that “he was organized, he’s driven, and damn, he’s a powerhouse.” Although The Risers 4 Rett project began humbly, Orlin was the major driving force behind it. He had the idea and then worked hard to activate his network and get people involved! During the first few events, the R4R committee and the group of friends who helped out slept outside, under the stars, in tents, or in their cars. It was truly a grassroots beginning, with people who were committed to helping those they love. So many people were willing to stand up for Rett girls.
Through Risers 4 Rett, Tim was introduced to fly fishing, and he says “I met some of the most amazing and compassionate men I’ve ever met. I found that fishermen and fisherwomen were truly amazing people.”
Fast forward 10 years…Tim’s daughter, Tatum, is about to graduate high school, and Risers 4 Rett has grown into an incredible movement. Risers 4 Rett has created something that’s special for a community around the world. In the last year alone (2023), the Risers for Rett organization raised ~$550,000 to go towards the Rett Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado and help Rett families.
When Tim’s daughter, Tatum, was first diagnosed with Rett, there was no Rett Clinic in Colorado. Rett families had to travel all the way to Alabama or Boston to see practitioners. Here in Colorado, Dr. Benke has created, as he calls it, a “one-stop shop” where Rett families can go and see a variety of practitioners in the same place on the same day.
From left: Dr. Tim Benke, Ed Kammerer, Orlin Camerlo, Dave Shaw, Tim Moore
None of this would have been possible without the dedication and love that Orlin showed for his friends, his commitment to the vision, and the incredible group of people who have been involved in the R4R journey. Like Orlin says, "Risers 4 Rett was born from a shared love for fly fishing, intertwining our passion with a deep commitment to aiding our cherished friends in their time of need. Guided by a common thread of generosity, this community of like-minded enthusiasts has become a beacon of support, providing invaluable assistance to the Rett Clinic at Children's Hospital. What began as a humble endeavor has blossomed into an extraordinary avenue for both supporting our friends and fostering a vibrant atmosphere of philanthropy, all within the passionate embrace of fly fishing."
The Risers 4 Rett Committee proudly presented Orlin Camerlo with a custom R4R Law’s Whiskey Bottle as a thank you for starting this successful fundraiser ten years ago.
