Monday, December 8, 2008

Rising to the challenge...

I don't, as a rule, ask people for money.

There are two notable exceptions. At age 10, before this particular form of child labor was outlawed, I had a short run selling stationery for Olympic Sales Club (to the guy two houses down... it wasn't a scam, really. Your order came in as promised. I just never got around to bringing it over). And then this past summer, with the help of family and good friends, I raised over $400 for Washington Trails Association.

Other than that, I haven't asked.

But cancer has hit close too many times. My mom is a breast cancer survivor, and we hold our breath every time she has a checkup. My dad is living with the most serious kind of prostate cancer, and we hold our breath waiting for a miracle. Step-parents, grandparents, cousins, uncles, and friends have been dealt the blow. And we hold our breath.

But is that all we can do?

The guiding premise of The Lance Armstrong Foundation is survivorship; living with and living through cancer. It's an organization I believe in, and a cause that's all too near my heart. On June 21st, I will ride my bike 100 miles on the final day of The Livestrong Challenge. Hopefully my dad, my best riding buddy will be there with me. I need to raise at least $250 during the Challenge, and I'll be asking for your help. Consider yourself warned :)

Just for fun, I joined up with Team Fat Cyclist to try and break some Livestrong Challenge records. I read Fatty's blog every day, marveling at his strength in dealing with his wife's cancer. This team, much like the disease, is much larger than any one individual. It's going to be epic.

To sponsor me now:
My Personal Challenge Page

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love you. How's about I meet you at that there finish line with a cold one?

Snotty McSnotterson said...

I like you. How's about I meet you at that there finish line with a cold wife?

We're in. Not this month, because we're flat broke, but my half-sister passed away from cancer last week (and so has my grandma, my aunt, and two other sisters--Reasons #1-5 I finally quit smoking) so I'd like to do something. We'll catch up with you in January :) And I really hope that you and your dad are out there, kicking ass together!

Anonymous said...

Its not much but I thought I'd get the ball a rollin!

Mike said...

That's awesome, Dini. Thanks so much! And you still bought me beers at The Western... I must be livin' right. -mike

Mike said...

Thanks, Snotty one! I'll get my dad out there regardless... can't see it going any other way. Sorry to hear about your loved ones. It's official, cancer is about to become the number one killer in the world.

Eileen said...

Plan on a donation at the first of the year. Thank you