Sarah and Christian Marchisio’s lives were upended in 2010 when their mother passed away from cancer, and again last year when their father died from a massive heart attack.

But, the honoring of a 20-year-old promise has allowed the Marchisios to move forward while also honoring the memory of their mother and father.

“Amazing” is how Sarah describes her parents Richard and Nancy.

“My mom had three college degrees, but she chose to stay home and take care of Chris and I. My dad built his own business,” she said. “They are truly the reason that Chris and I are the people we are today.”

The Marchisio kids experienced a number of milestones in the past year that were almost unthinkable to Sarah when she got the news about her dad. Sarah graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School and matriculated to the University of Vermont, while Christian started his senior year at ORR.

“The day my dad passed away, I can’t tell you how many thoughts went through my head. ‘I don’t know how I can go to school. How I can leave Chris here,’” Sarah recalled.

“My Uncle Mark came to the hospital and said don’t worry about that. We made a promise and everything is going to be fine.”

Sarah’s parents befriended Mark and Caroline Peucker when the four attended Providence College. Throughout the years, the couples had raised their kids together with weekly family dinners.

The Peuckers, whose two daughters had already graduated from college, relocated from Stoughton to the Marchisios’ house in Rochester.

“They asked us if we’d do this, so we did. I guess I call it a pinky swear,” said Caroline. “My heart just went out to the kids immediately. The four kids are our first, last, and always thought.”

From getting Sarah settled at college to taking pictures of Christian at basketball games, the Peuckers have been a constant presence in the kids’ lives.

“They are the most amazing people. I can never say thank you enough for them,” said Sarah.

But for Caroline, the story is about Sarah and Christian who are continuing their parents’ legacy of generosity.

In August, Sarah and Christian will participate in the 192-mile Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Sarah and her father had planned to do the ride last year in honor of her mother. After he passed away, Caroline’s daughter Beth rode with her.

“Our dad was full of adventure,” said Sarah. “He always told me, ‘Life is a wonderful adventure.’”

After the ride last year, Christian told his sister that he was in for the 2013 challenge.

“After my dad passed away, I definitely wanted to do it. I have a lot of support from kids on the basketball team,” said Christian.

Calling themselves "Team with a Mission," the Marchisios will be joined by at least six friends, including ORR Athletic Director Bill Tilden.

Each person must raise at least $4,300. Team with a Mission kicked off its efforts with a bake sale at the final boys basketball home game on Friday night.

Dana-Farber means a lot to her family, said Sarah.

“They gave me 10 months with my mom that no one else could have. They never once treated her like a patient, it was just like a sister or a mother, their own daughter,” she said.

Soon after their race, Christian will start his freshmen year at Providence College.

“As soon as I got the letter, it just meant the world to all of us,” said Christian. “I couldn’t have been any happier that day.”

To contribute to Team with a Mission, visit www2.pmc.org/profile/TG0112.