March 2012
71 posts
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Coins for Cancer →
Hung out at South 1st and Riverside this morning to raise money to fight cancer! That’s me in the photo in the link above with Katie Koehler, a Texas 4000 2012 rider, and an Austinite dressed as a panda! The panda’s costume came with no pockets, which meant the only place they could store some change to donate was a fanny pack!
We made a lot of money for a great cause. I’m...
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In 30 Days, Almost $3,000 Raised to Fight Cancer
Well, I started the month of March with just over $4,600 raised, and I’m so happy that with the help of so many kind supporters, I finished out the month with over $7,400 in fundraising (not counting that $500 matching check that’s in the mail!). That’s almost $3,000 in 30 days for cancer services and programs at LIVESTRONG!
Please keep helping me spread the word about my climb...
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Yeah, But... →
Jeff Goins details why “yeah, but” is not a valid excuse when it comes to exploring. If you’re lucky enough to have your health, get out there and live your dreams. Young or old, traveling allows us to “see the world and taste the fullness of life.” Read more of his awesome blog in the link above.
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“The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands,...”
– Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
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A Mission: Carry Your Teammate, and Vice-Versa →
Every rider in the “24 Hours of the Old Pueblo” bike ride was battling fatigue, and the desert terrain, but there was a bigger issue on one groups of friends’ minds: one of their friends, Tony, found out he needed a stem cell transplant. He’s beaten cancer twice before. He apparently was fighting this one off, but it was becoming too much. “With this mission in their...
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Coins for Cancer: Be There →
This Saturday, March 31, the Texas 4000 alumni and 2012 and 2013 teams will join forces to raise funds for LIVESTRONG in memory of Ruel A. Bobet. We’ll be in Austin near Redbud & Lake Austin Boulevard, Barton Springs & Lamar, and South 1st & Riverside starting bright and early at 8 a.m. If you have change, we hope to see you there!
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Launch of Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia Helps... →
According to a report from Reuters, “Novartis and the Broad Institute have developed a cancer cell line encyclopedia that catalogues the genetic and molecular profiles of almost 1,000 human cancer cell lines used in drug research and development. Results of the collaboration, published in the journal Nature…may allow scientists around the world to use this information to improve cancer...
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Coins for Cancer, in Memory of Ruel Bobet
This Saturday, March 31, I’m helping out with a panhandling effort called “Coins for Cancer.” This new event will have the Texas 4000 alumni and 2012 and 2013 teams join forces to raise funds for LIVESTRONG in memory of Ruel A. Bobet, who put up a brave fight until he lost his battle with cancer in February 2012. This isn’t related to the Survivor Summit climb, but if you...
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“I’m not a dreamer, and I’m not saying this will initiate any kind of...”
– Terry Fox, October 15, 1979
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A Marathon of Hope →
When I was on my 4,500 mile bike ride, I still remember coming across a rest stop that was dedicated to Terry Fox, a Canadian humanitarian, athlete, and cancer research activist. After having part of his leg amputated during his cancer battle, Terry embarked on a cross-Canada run—a Marathon of Hope—in 1980 to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Ultimately, the spread of his...
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My Brother is Applying to be a Bone Marrow Donor!
I’m so incredibly proud of my brother, who is currently in the process of applying to donate his bone marrow to a 40 year old woman fighting cancer! Today, I climb for his selflessness, and to honor the fight of this inspiring individual, too.
My brother has gone through two rounds of testing to determine if he’s a match. So far, things are looking good!
If you’re interested...
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The Breast Cancer M.A.P. Project →
If sharing your breast cancer journey could enhance the lives of others, would you help? You can! By joining the M.A.P. Project, you can help change the breast cancer experience for the millions who live it every day (more than 2.5 million to be exact). Click the link above the participate in this worthwhile project.
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CDC Launches New Graphic Anti-Smoking Ad Campaign →
“Tips from Former Smokers” shows lives and bodies damaged by smoking—a leading cause of cancer. And in this economy, it’s not just hurting your body, but also your wallet. Want to quit? Livestrong.com has helpful wellness tools on their blog to show you how to eat healthy, quit smoking, and get into shape.
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An Article About One of My Teammates in Her... →
Read this article to learn more about Missy Verhaeghe, one of my teammates for the climb. I can’t wait to climb with her and everyone else on Survivor Summit 2012!
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What Your Donation Supports →
What does it mean when I say my climb up Kilimanjaro with Survivor Summit benefits cancer programs and services at LIVESTRONG? Check out the link above for more information on the ways in which LIVESTRONG is working to improve the cancer experience. If you like what you see, please donate!
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Fundraising Update →
So far, I’ve raised over $7,100 to fight cancer—and that $500 matching gift is in the mail and making its way to LIVESTRONG’s headquarters!
Combined, my teammates and I have raised over $66,000!
Do you have $10? Please think about donating it to a really great cause; any amount helps support cancer programs and services at LIVESTRONG, and makes the life of a cancer fighters,...
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“I learned to pitch a tent and sleep beneath the stars…I gained a profound...”
– Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
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Why I Climb →
I’m inspired to climb by Adriana Oxford, a 2012 Texas 4000 rider, who will always carry her friend and teammate, Ruel Bobet, in her heart.
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Aernout Overbeeke's Portfolio of Tanzania →
The link above shows Dutch photographer Aernout Overbeeke’s portfolio of Tanzania, from the Adventure Journal web site. If the trip ends up being half as beautiful as these pictures, I can’t wait to go! Good thing there’s less than 100 days for me to wait!
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“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there...”
– Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild
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How Bicycles Can Fight Cancer →
“The Ride” is an unusual bike adventure. It’s a 1000-mile trip completed by cancer patients and survivors. As the organizers say, “whatever is happening in your life, you stand a better chance of coping if your body and your mind are in good shape. If you have a little extra coping to do, like this bunch, it is vitally important.” Although cancer is serious, this ride’s all about...
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Why I Climb
Today I climb for Richard Stefanacci and his family.
A few weeks ago, a Facebook friend posted a link about Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer, a campaign started by Go4TheGoal, in which sports teams and athletes don neon yellow shoelaces to support the fight against pediatric cancer. I fell in love with this simple-but-inspiring idea and the cause it supported. So I quickly purchased a pair with my...
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Almost $7,000 Raised to Fight Cancer!
Like the title says, I’ve almost raised $7,000 towards my $10,000 minimum fundraising requirement (which benefits cancer programs and services at LIVESTRONG) to climb Kilimanjaro with Survivor Summit. My team and I have raised over $60,000 so far, too!
I’m still exploring lots of options to keep fundraising, but you can help out by making a small donation or by spreading the word...
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Happy First Day of Spring! →
Take some time to spring clean your diet.
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Fight Prostate Cancer with Meatless Monday →
Meatless Monday is simple: every time Monday rolls around, do without meat for the day. Introduced as a public health awareness campaign in 2003, the initiative was backed by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for a Livable Future and endorsed by 30 schools of public health. Concerned about lack of protein? No problem; there are many healthy alternatives. Consider...
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A Low-Cost Innovation That Saves Lives →
An article on an inexpensive procedure with the potential to do for poor countries what the Pap smear did for rich ones: end cervical cancer’s reign as the number one cancer killer of women…with something as simple as household vinegar.
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“Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely...”
– Isak Dinesen, Out of Africa
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Tips on How to Make Exercise Interesting →
Lifehacker gives tips and tricks for getting things done—like exercising. The bad news: there’s no shortcuts for a good workout. The good news: living a healthy, happy life is pretty awesome.
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$500 Matching Check in the Mail--Thanks to All!
Thanks for everyone for donating during the $500 matching campaign, which ran from March 6 to March 15! I found out that the donor put their $500 check in the mail, so all those generous gifts will be matched once that check makes it to LIVESTRONG’S headquarters.
These kind donations and the additional matching component helped raise over $1,000 for cancer programs and services in just a...
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A 13 Year Old Cancer Survivor, and Now, a Fighter... →
An inspiring teenager from my hometown named Jay DeVico, along with Middle Township Middle School students and faculty, helped raised awareness and funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. I’m very proud to see young people get involved in a great cause—keep up the amazing work!
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Beating Cancer at Its Own Game →
This TED Talk features Dr. William Li discussing another way to think about treating cancer and other diseases: anti-angiogenesis. He breaks down the science of how newer cancer drugs, such as Avastin, work to prevent the growth of blood vessels that feed a tumor. He also talks about what we can add to our diets to “starve” cancer. The crucial first (and best) step: eat cancer-fighting...
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Five Reasons to Serve Others →
A practice of selfless giving is something that we all have access to, no matter who we are or what we do.
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100: A Theme
100 days until I leave for Tanzania and start climbing Kilimanjaro with the Survivor Summit team! I’ve had the kind support of friends and family who helped me meet 100% of my five hundred dollar matching campaign that ran March 6-15! I’m still working hard to give this cause 100%; it would make my week to see my groups’ total get closer to our $100K goal. So please donate!
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“We have two options…give up, or fight like hell.”
– Lance Armstrong
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Hard Times Happen. Remember to Go Easy on Yourself
“I haven’t run in at least six months,” said Justin Ozuna, who’s been fighting CML for 6 years. “I knew it would be hard, but I wanted it to be harder than sitting at home and wondering what was going to happen next. My legs kept moving. My body began to hurt, but my head began to lighten. I’m sure that I looked like the Lance Armstrong of zombies as I struggled up each...
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$50,000 Raised Together So Far, and Matching...
The Survivor Summit 2012 team has raised over $50,000 for cancer programs and services at LIVESTRONG! Visit my fundraising page to donate (where your donation will be matched!), and help us get that much closer to raising $100,000 to fight cancer!
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Don't Give Up: What It Feels Like to Break Down
“The thing that gets us through every harrowing moment is perspective, the ability to compare this struggle with some larger idea. I know that I can climb this hill, because I’ve climbed larger hills. I know that I can finish this project, because I’ve succeeded at other projects. I can get through this, because I’ve gotten through worse. The further we traveled, the more perspective we...
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Ben Does Life: We Run... →
Ben’s blog chronicles his life and journey from “morbidly obese and depressed” to finding health and happiness by being active. He lost 120 pounds, ran seven marathons, completed two Ironmans, and is now a motivational speaker.
And he’s run to fight cancer, too.
That’s one pretty amazing dude. Keep living awesomely, Ben, and keep running until we find a cure.
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$130 Left for Matching by Thursday, March 15
Want to help me climb Kilimanjaro with Survivor Summit, and raise money for cancer programs and services at LIVESTRONG? Now is the time to do it, because your gift will be MATCHED—meaning it will go twice as far! There is still $130 left for matching by Thursday! With this pledge to match gifts, $10 actually becomes a $20 donation; $25 becomes $50, and so on. So, please donate!
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Why I Climb
This is my next post for my “why I climb” series, and is one of many reasons why I’m determined to climb Kilimanjaro with Survivor Summit to fight cancer…
Today I climb for Tere Holmes and the Cancer Support Community Central Texas organization.
I had the pleasure of meeting Tere in the spring of 2011, when I was the Texas 4000 for Cancer ATLAS Ride Volunteer Coordinator. She had contacted our...
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The Biggest Obstacle to Reaching Your Fitness... →
The right attitude can make or break your chances at any goal—helping you gain momentum, maximize your performance, and ultimately stay in it for the long haul. The first step is to harness the most powerful tool at your disposal: your brain. Read on for tips on using powerful techniques to rewire your brain to outwit pain, fear, and doubt.
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“Make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you...”
– Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild
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Still $205 Left for Matching; Please Donate!
I’ve raised almost $6,000 for cancer programs and services at LIVESTRONG! This is a reminder that one of my kind donors has agreed to MATCH ALL DONATIONS DATED UNTIL OUR FIRST FUNDRAISING CHECKPOINT ON MARCH 15, UP TO $500—meaning that with your help, I can fundraise $1,000! With this pledge to match gifts, $10 actually becomes a $20 donation; $25 becomes $50, and so on…up to a total of $500 from...
