About Our Web Site

Who was Sharon ?

The story of Sharon Jepchumba Korir may only be described as inspirational, not in that she died young, or that she was a caring child, but that her legacy provided life to others. Through the passion of her parents to honor her life, Sharon's story was told and told again. So often that it inspired others to act in her name and to strike at the disease that took her and so many others Africans lives. The year was 2003 and it was just one day after Christmas. Sharon and her cousins were helping harvest guavas when a loose dog started to chase them. As the children scattered, the dog closed in on Sharon, biting her on her upper back. The wound was immediately cleaned and her parents rushed her to a hospital in the nearest city, where Sharon was treated and sent home to her village. Everything seemed to be quite normal until the twelfth of January, 2004, when the school called and Sharon's health was deteriorating rapidly. Her parents rushed her from one hospital to the next until she was finally diagnosed with active rabies. By noon the next day Sharon had died. The shock to Barnaba and Agnes, her parents, and the family was overwhelming. Someone once said that time heals, but as time goes on, the loss of child grows deeper. Grief properly channeled can turn into a positive force and achieve great things in the honor of that child. Sharon Live On, that is Sharon's story.

Why this foundation exists?

At the time of her death her parents Barnaba and Agnes Korir, knew there must have been some reason for their tragic loss and they knew they needed to honor her in some way, they just didn't know how or what they could do. A year later, at the gravesite commemorating the anniversary Sharon' passing Barnaba's former track coach from Iowa State University, Bill Bergan and a former teammate Bob Verbeek founder of GLOZO Sports decided they would support the Korirs anyway the could. Yet, at that point in time the support was simply that, support with no defined mission.

Several years later at a Iowa State Track and Field reunion, Coach Bergan was sharing the story of Barnaba Korir's loss with his former track athletes. Dr. Brian Darrow was in attendance and was moved by the story, as a veterinarian he was aware of a program offered by Merck Animal Health, where as if you purchased one dose of the Merck rabies vaccine another dose would be sent to Africa. At that point, the Sharon Live On Projectwas conceived. It took several more years to establish the contacts at Merck Animal Health that could help channel Dr. Darrow's idea into reality.

During that time, as it appeared the project had the real possibility of happening, Dr. Darrow contacted Dr. Ron Tapper, track mate, veterinarian and longtime hometown friend from Anamosa, Iowa. Dr. Tapper was immediately onboard and waiting for a go date. Logistical delays with the project allowed for the third member to join the team. While Dr. Darrow was attending a veterinary conference, in Las Vegas, he was reacquainted with another former member of the ISU track team, Mr. John Lichty also a Iowan. Now the U.S. team was set and waiting to have at the details in Kenyan finalized.

The Goal

How we are making changes

Rabes Vaccination of Nandi, Kenya

The Sharon Live On Foundation's first project was a rabies vaccination program focusing on dogs, cats and donkeys in the Nandi Central District of Kenya. The program was a response to Sharon Jepchumba Korir's death due to a bite from a rabid dog eight years earlier.

Project Teams

In order to make this project work, teams were created to fulfill the requires in both the USA and in Kenya. The following are the different team members:

  • Sharon Live On Foundation - United States
    • Dr. Brian Darrow - Team Lead, Veterinarian
    • Dr. Ron Tapper - Vererinarian
    • Mr. John Lichty - Information Director
  • GLOZO Sports - Kenya
    • Mr. Barnaba Korir - Kenyan Director
    • Ms. Agnes Korir
  • LISA Institute - Kenya
    • Mr. Sammu Lagott - Director
  • Ministry of Livestock - Kenya
    • Dr. B. Tiony - Nandi Central District Veternarian
  • Merck Animal Health - United States
    • Ms. Ingrid Duezeman - Senior Product Manager/Biologicals

Project Conception

At the time of her death her parents Barnaba and Agnes Korir, knew there must have been some reason for their tragic loss and they knew they needed to honor her in some way, they just didn't know how or what they could do.

A year later, at the gravesite commemorating the anniversary Sharon' passing Barnaba's former track coach from Iowa State University, Bill Bergen and a former teammate Bob Verbeek founder of GLOZO Sports decided they would support the Korirs anyway the could. Yet, at that point in time the support was simply that, support with no defined mission.

Several years later at a Iowa State Track and Field reunion, coach Bergen was sharing the story of Barnaba Korir's loss with his former track athletes. Dr. Brian Darrow was in attendance and was moved by the story, as a veterinarian he was aware of a program offered by Merck Animal Health, where as if you purchased one dose of the Merck rabies vaccine another dose would be sent to Africa. At that point, the Sharon Live On project was conceived. It took several more years to establish the contacts at Merck Animal Health that could help channel Dr. Darrow's idea into reality.

During that time, as it appeared the project had the real possibility of happening, Dr. Darrow contacted Dr. Ron Tapper, track mate, veterinarian and longtime hometown friend from Anamosa, Iowa. Dr. Tapper was immediately onboard and waiting for a go date. Logistical delays with the project allowed for the third member to join the team. While Dr. Darrow was attending a veterinary conference, in Las Vegas, he was reacquainted with another former member of the ISU track team, Mr. John Lichty also a Iowan. Now the U.S. team was set and waiting to have at the details in Kenyan finalized.

Merck Animal Health - USA

In order to make this project a reality, Dr. Brian Darrow contacted the Merck Animal Health group which is a partof the Merck & Co. in the United States. It would appear that Merck was also involved in the Afya Serengeti Project in Tanzania, Africa to do the same kind of prevention. Merck has since added a new project in Bangalore and Pune India to the lists of areas they are assisting. Want more information on the Merck Animal Health project, visit their site athttp://www.merck.com/about/featured-stories/rabies.html

It is with great thanks to Merck & Co. for all of the donation of Rabies vaccinations to the Sharon Live On Foundation. Without their generious support, this project would not be able to come to pass.

Phase 1 Project Results

Planned Days for Project 18Actual Days for Project23
Estimated Vaccine Required12KTotal Vaccine Used12,702
Estimated Dogs to Vaccinate8KTotal Dogs Vaccinated14,713
Estimated Cats to Vaccinate1KTotal Cats Vaccinated1,971
Estimated Donkeys to Vaccinate3KTotal Donkeys Vaccinated307
As you will notice, in most cases we exceed our estimates on vaccinations.

 
News & Videos