Hey everyone,
SheMonster and I (Monster Dave) have had some sad news recently come our way about a close friend of ours being diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL); one of the rarest of the non Hodgkin's lymphomas. Over the last few weeks, we have learned much about cancer, how aggressive it is, and how hard it can be on both a patient as well as their family. This form of blood cancer essentially causes blood cells to divide prematurely before they are able to help fight diseases in the body. While this form of blood cancer is rare (approximately 15,000 cases in the US), little is actually known about its cause. Needless to say, everyone feels helpless when it comes to facing the harsh reality of a battle against cancer.
This is where we come in, where we have chosen to not give in to the relentless response of “I'm sorry†and do what we can to help in the fight to find a cure for blood related cancers. We have decided that we want our friend to know that while our heart goes out to him and his family, we are out fighting for his chance to live.
We have focused my efforts by joining a national organization called Team In Training which works hand in hand with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America to help raise funds to support medical research, treatment, and awareness of these tragic diseases. As part of this organization, we are training with a cycling team made up of fellow cyclists who have also been affected by cancer, to ride 100 miles, at a national cancer awareness event at Lake Tahoe in June.
However, we need your help. We have each pledged to earn $4,400 over the next few months that will directly fund medical research and treatment of blood cancers. The support of those who are able to help us reach our goal will inspire both of us to push ourselves harder and faster to the finish line of the 100 mile event. Of the total sum that we earn, Team In Training will donate 75% to LLS which will go directly towards life saving research, education, and treatment of Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease. The best part is that LLS is a 501c organization, which means that any support contributions are 100% tax deducible.
If possible, and if you feel so inclined, I would appreciate a sponsoring donation. A sponsoring donation of .25 cents per mile is suggested, but any amount that you can contribute will make a significant impact. We have each setup Racing to Save Lives webpage (links included below) to manage our fundraising and to handle the submission of contributions.
(http://disneyrunning.com/tntlogo.jpg)
SheMonster's Page:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/mzagel (http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/mzagel)
Monster Dave's Page:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/dhelmink (http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/dhelmink)
Thank you so much for your time and support. Please check back often to monitor our progress. We will be posting updates regularly to our pages.
I donated in both your names. Good on ya for doing this [thumbsup] Oru best to your friend.
I applaud you and your wife. Most people sit by and do nothing.
My wife was diagnosed with a pre-Leukemia disorder (myelodysplastic syndrome) in addition to having a low grade lymphoma late last year. Right now she is static and no treatment is needed. When she does need treatment... it will be with our greatest thanks that a cure be found thanks to people like yourselves.
Sincerely,
Charlie
Quote from: Charlief on February 23, 2010, 03:02:53 PM
I applaud you and your wife. Most people sit by and do nothing.
My wife was diagnosed with a pre-Leukemia disorder (myelodysplastic syndrome) in addition to having a low grade lymphoma late last year. Right now she is static and no treatment is needed. When she does need treatment... it will be with our greatest thanks that a cure be found thanks to people like yourselves.
Sincerely,
Charlie
Oh man. My best to you and your wife.
Thank you both for taking the time to respond to our thread. We wish that there were so much more that we could do to help good things happen faster for those facing such challenges.
Our hearts go out to Charlie's wife and to those like her. We hope that in addition to our efforts, that sharing our positive drive and determination to help develope treatments and cures for blood cancers will also help bring about a heightened awareness by others that one man/woman can make a difference in someone elses life.
To Charlie, his wife and to countless others; it's in honor of your strength and courage that we will reach our goals.
From the bottom of our hearts,
David and Maureen.
I moved this to NMC because I feel it deserves better exposure than the classifieds.
If you don't like it here Dave feel free to move it back.
:(
I hate cancer.
best of luck with the fundraising [beer]
Quote from: ducpainter on February 25, 2010, 04:20:30 AM
I moved this to NMC because I feel it deserves better exposure than the classifieds.
Thank you for moving this thread here!
Quote from: howie on February 23, 2010, 01:12:54 PM
I donated in both your names. Good on ya for doing this [thumbsup] Oru best to your friend.
And a big THANK YOU Howie for your generous support! :) It truly makes a difference! [thumbsup]
Thanks to both SheMonster and Monster Dave for joining this cause. [thumbsup]
You guys are going to have a great time riding around Tahoe, it truly is amazing!
Stella and I both rode AMBBR last year with TNT, and I'm a mentor for this season's TNT group in Denver.
We all can make a difference!
Quote from: Randimus Maximus on February 25, 2010, 01:43:30 PM
Thanks to both SheMonster and Monster Dave for joining this cause. [thumbsup]
You guys are going to have a great time riding around Tahoe, it truly is amazing!
Stella and I both rode AMBBR last year with TNT, and I'm a mentor for this season's TNT group in Denver.
We all can make a difference!
+1 on having a great time on your event ride. It's a great organization and does make a huge difference. [thumbsup]
I'm a mentor for the North Texas Cycling Team going to the Solvang Century in a few weeks. (Tahoe is on my list of events to do)
And one more thing... GO TEAM!
Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm and support. We are trying to reach a rather large goal, but it will make a significant impact in our efforts to find both treatments and cures for cancer.
We appreciate your continued support. [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
Dave.
Dave did you get my PM?
Quote from: Got Duc on February 25, 2010, 03:17:32 PM
Dave did you get my PM?
I just replied. I didn't realize that I had a PM waiting from you! Thanks for checking! I would have hated to have left you hanging!
[thumbsup]
Maureen and I had some sad news come our way today via email on another front that serves as a reminder that people aren't the only victims of cancer:
Rocky a Security K-9 at a local hospital passed away after succumbing to cancer. Rocky worked in Security for 4 Years and was one of the first Security Certified Explosives Ordinance Detection (EOD) dogs.
RIP Rocky.
Thank you for continuing to follow our fund raising thread.
(http://www.theanticraft.com/images/imbolc2006/make%20the%20beast%20with%20two%20backscancer.gif)
What's in the red X box Randy?
Quote from: SheMonster on February 27, 2010, 08:53:36 AM
What's in the red X box Randy?
http://www.theanticraft.com/images/imbolc2006/make the beast with two backscancer.gif (http://www.theanticraft.com/images/imbolc2006/make%20the%20beast%20with%20two%20backscancer.gif)
OK, you know what's funny? I have the censor on and don't see "bad words", so Randy's post was a red X. Ducpainters link then took me to a blog about the philosophical definition of the word "exists". Hee hee hee, didn't make much sense. Much different when I went to my profile and checked the box to "leave words uncensored" [laugh]
Yes, you are right.
I rode with the Phoenix Team in Training team this morning, we did 32 miles and worked on cadence. Cadence is basically rpm's of your feet and we were riding at a constant 80-90 rpm's no matter if we were on flat roads or hills and using the gearing to make it easier. On flat roads I felt like a hamster on a wheel. :)
David is house sitting for a friend in Tucson, so he rode with the Tucson Team in Training team this morning.
BGB's brother had a nasty case of non hodgkinsons lymphoma several years ago. It was a very fast and aggressive illness and he had a 3lb tumor cut off of his heart. He was about dead when he went to the hospital as he could not breathe very well. Tumor was so big his lungs could not inflate and he was suffocating. Fast Forward 17 years, today my brother took his son to soccer and I sit here :'(,so very proud of him.
Good luck with your friend, his attitude is 50% of his battle, medicine is 40% the other 10% is love from all those he knows.
Thanks for sharing your brother's story! [thumbsup]
Hey everyone, while our efforts are beginning to start to make a difference in our fund raising, we still need your help. We ask that if you have been or know anyone who has been affected by cancer to please visit our fund raising pages (linked at the top of this thread) and help us fight to fund treatments and research for cures to these tragic illnesses.
Thank you!
Wow, this is close to home for me. I sponsored both of you.
I am a 20 year survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On top of that (and this is really freaky), I recently met a wonderful woman, and on our second date I was shocked to find out that she too survived the same illness, during the same time period, and we were both cured by the same flavor of chemo. The odds must be one in a million, and I'm hoping that this bodes well for our future together.
Quote from: Ivan on March 01, 2010, 06:44:08 AM
Wow, this is close to home for me. I sponsored both of you.
I am a 20 year survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On top of that (and this is really freaky), I recently met a wonderful woman, and on our second date I was shocked to find out that she too survived the same illness, during the same time period, and we were both cured by the same flavor of chemo. The odds must be one in a million, and I'm hoping that this bodes well for our future together.
Ivan,
Thank you so much for your support. Your story is truly one of the one in a million, but at the same time it's truly wonderful that you have found strength in each others' lives. Both Maureen and I wish the best of health to you and your sweetheart.
Here's a picture from a recent training ride that I did with the TNT Tucson group. This is me (on the left), and another TNT member coming in for a pit stop.
(http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/151/l_25e66be2c7ed4dc9ae50dc24f99acd0d.jpg)
It's really amazing meeting so many caring people whose lives have been touched, affected, or influenced by someone close to them facing a battle with cancer. It seems like life never ceases to teach us lessons in unexpected ways.
^ Great pic and I hope to see more pics through your training and your event!
Maybe I'll see you at AMBBR next year if I don't end up doing a Tri for TNT
Come to Tahoe! ;D
Hope the Desert Mountain Team had a good ride(s) today!
We had a great ride with the team today up in Colorado.
35 miles through some rolling hills. Best part, one of our riders doubled the distance of the longest ride she had ever been on. [thumbsup] On top of that, she's been riding with a fractured thumb the last few weeks! [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
This Desert Mountain Team member fell off of her bicycle today. :P Simply caught the edge of the road, and down I went. Hit my head hard enough to crack the helmet. Checked out at an urgent care, slight concussion but I can get back on the bike in 48 hours, and I get to go get a brand new shiny go fast helmet!
Glad the helmet sacrificed itself for you.
Fortunately her injuries were minor but it's times like this when we remember why wearing a helmet is so important! A little TLC, a new helmet, and I'll have Maureen back on the road by next weekend!
Quote from: SheMonster on March 06, 2010, 09:10:19 PM
This Desert Mountain Team member fell off of her bicycle today. :P Simply caught the edge of the road, and down I went. Hit my head hard enough to crack the helmet. Checked out at an urgent care, slight concussion but I can get back on the bike in 48 hours, and I get to go get a brand new shiny go fast helmet!
Glad to hear you're ok!
This weekend Team In Training is hosting an "Honored Hero" picnic to honor the close loved ones for whom we are working so hard to raise money for the treatment of Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Hodgkin's diseases. This event will give us (as members of LLS and TNT) the chance to really "show" our hero(s) just how much we are doing to honor them, to fight for them, and to give them every chance that they deserve at winning the battle against cancer. Maureen and I were fortunate enough to learn recently that our hero was granted a brief reprieve from his chemotherapy and will be able to attend along with his family.
We'll be posting pictures from the event early next week. Hopefully the weather will hold and and it will be a beautiful day!
Just an update on our fund raising efforts, both of us are sitting at just over $400 earned and still have a long way to go to get to the $4400 totals that we must each earn. If anyone is interested in helping us, we encourage you to visit our pages for more detailed information.
Thanks for following out thread. We'll continue to update as we go.
David and Maureen.
My company is just finishing up a 50k shirt run for the Cancer Society. Below is a sample if what we've been doing.
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff27/charlieff/photo-28.jpg)
Hey that's a great idea! [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
46 miles today through rolling hills (my personal best), AND no crashing!!
I WILL be ready for the 100 miles at elevation around Tahoe when the time comes :D
SheMonster's Page:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/mzagel (http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/mzagel)
Monster Dave's Page:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/dhelmink (http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/dhelmink)
This past weekend was a big weekend for us. As Maureen said, we did just under 50 miles training which was really great. Our fellow teammates are all very enthusiastic about reaching our goals really making a difference in the lives of those for whom we are fighting this battle.
Here's our team:
(http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/135/l_b2c9250f34bb4759b4160592e619c28d.jpg)
Saturday afternoon TNT hosted an Honored Heroes Pick Nick at a local park. It gave us all a chance to spend time with the people that we're cycling for provided they were able to make it. Our honor went to our friend Ron and his family. We were really fortunate that he was granted a reprieve from chemo last week so that he and his family could make it out for the event. It was a picture perfect day - the weather was great, and everyone who was able to attend had a great time.
Here are some pictures from the event:
(http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/128/l_b0a2e6cdd2b74e6d9f8a87a7055c0107.jpg)
(http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/132/l_41d68dd8b28c486787678175164d073e.jpg)
We found out ahead of time that Ron really loves cupcakes, so we hunted down the nicest ones that we could find to surprise him!
(http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/142/l_241baaaa9c114aa689cfb4dbc4ad534c.jpg)
Ron has so much to live for; this next picture doesn't even come close to showing just how much he loves his grand daughter and how amazing and supportive his family is:
(http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/123/l_365ce8b931954247a375e4de7cd28cbc.jpg)
(http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/137/l_66487100886649d985f4294b1d871cfe.jpg)
We also put together a Team In Training surprise basket for him and his family to share in. It contained TNT hats, 4 TNT beanie-bears, 2 coffee cups, and some deluxe M&Ms in TNT colors!
(http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/147/l_05654f93c20f4464a786a638c68866de.jpg)
It was a very happy day and one that we were very honored to be a part of. As Rons treatment continues, we sincerely hope that events like these go a long way to giving he and his family some strength - sometimes just knowing that people care can make a huge difference in your day to day outlook when facing a challenge.
Hey everyone,
We just wanted to remind everyone that we still need your help. To reach or goal to reach $4,400 each we need your support - any sponsorship contribution would be sincerely appreciated. We each are required to have $1,100 by the 24th of this month in order to remain a part of Team In Training. That's not much time, 7 days from the date of this post, and we really don't want to let Ron and his family down. It's not to late to contribute to the work that we're doing and to really make a difference in the life of Ron and his family.
Thanks so much for your support.
Here are the links to our respective pages:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/dhelmink (http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/dhelmink)
http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/mzagel (http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/ambbr10/mzagel)
Don't forget that any contribution no matter how big or small will make a difference - they all add up and are 100% tax deductible.
David and Maureen.
Bump to keep this on the front page.
Hey Randy, thanks for the bump!
Time for an update and let me start out by saying that we got some VERY good news today!
So last we posted Ron was due to go in for his second round of chemo on a protocol that's one of the most aggressive available. Needless to say, we were all quite concerned about how well he'd fare. Maureen made a visit to see him just 2 days into his treatment and that was the last that we actually saw of him because he had to be in relative isolation (since the chemo was so hard on his system they couldn't risk anything!).
At the same time, we had been training regularly with Team In Training and working as hard as we could to continue our fund raising efforts.
The within a few short weeks, we got word that Ron had made it through this round of treatment, and was going to be released from Chemo so that he'd be home for Easter and the week to follow! His family invited us over for Easter dinner and we were very happy to see that Ron's happy spirit and vitality were completely intact. We had a wonderful Easter with he and his family. There were 5 generations of family all together for their Easter!
Ron told us many times that one of the strongest resources that he has used to help him get through the toughest times has been the love of his family and his friends - we were honored when he and his family expressed to us that we had become a part of that wonderful family. :)
Ron was scheduled to have a PET scan yesterday to check on the status of the cancerous tumors. We received word today that the tumors in his lungs and stomach are completely gone and the ones found in his lymphnodes have shrunk considerably! Needless to say were are ecstatic at the progress that he's made. He still has a long way to go, but he is making amazing strides in the direction of remission.
For anyone interested, we are still very much in need of the fund raising support and have hit a bit of a wall. We're working on some things that will help, but we too still have a long way to go to reach our goal. If you feel so inclined, please feel free to use the links at the top of the thread to help us reach our goal of $4,400.
Thanks so much to everyone who has been so kind to help us! More updates to come soon!
How's the training and the fund raising going? I just signed up for the Moab Century Tour this September with TNT... 2nd event this year!
I'm sure your base mileage has increased quite a bit by now. You guys will do great!
Training is going very well! We're riding some long climbs to help prepare for Tahoe and the distances are gradually increasing. Last weekend we rode 52 miles and more than 1/2 were long climbs of 2-4 miles. The only down side to the training is that when we train with the team, we're training earlier and earlier and we have nearly an hour drive just to get to the start location - so our Saturday morning's start around 4:30am. :-\
The fundraising has been really challenging. We've got several fund raisers coming up and high hopes for them to pull in some sponsorship. It just seems like it's hard for people to contribute; perhaps it's the economic times.
However no matter what we're still pushing ahead and are focused on reaching our goals.
Thanks so much for asking and it's great to hear that you signed up for MOAB. I considered it but my target is set on rocking the Cochise Classic which is 159 miles (normally 252 but construction has curbed the route distance) in early October.
[thumbsup]
Ron is entering round 3 of Chemo this week and has been resting and enjoying the time he's had out of the hospital by being with family and friends. We wish him the best and lots of strength to get him through this 3rd treatment.
Ouch yeah the travel time to a training ride can be a drag. But look at this way, you'll already be used to the early start time by the time Tahoe rolls around. I have to eat 3 hours before a century ride which means waking up to eat at 3am then go back to sleep for an hour or so then get ready to ride by 6am.
If you need some ideas for more fund raising send me a PM. 3 of my mentees for Solvang were the top three fund raisers for the 4 TNT chapters. Not that it was because of me, but because they had some good ideas. Those 3 raised over 6500 a piece with more still coming in as we were riding the century.
A friend of mine just did a brevet challenge ~200miles in 24hours. No thank you sir [bow_down]
I'm glad to hear your Honored Hero is doing well, one of ours from last season is in remission now and is coaching the Tuscon Team that he missed out on last year. I hope to hear more good news from you and yours.
Hey everyone,
Time for an update! To start right off, we learned this past weekend that Ron is doing very well - if all goes according to plan, he'll be nearly done with chemo very soon! Talk about a relief! His tumors are shrinking and his prognosis is getting better as he makes it through each round of treatments. [thumbsup]
We've been working very hard and had a fund raiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society this past weekend and earned an amazing $1,500! It was a really fun and exciting event! I'll post up pics this evening!
We're closing the gap on our fund raising goals, but we still have a bit to go! Out of our combined total of $8,800 we've got just about $1,300 left to go in the next 30 days!
If you've been thinking about making a supporting contribution, we'd really appreciate any help that you can offer!
Thanks so much for following this thread and sharing in our efforts!
That's great news, Dave! [thumbsup]
Good job with the fundraising. You guys will get there.
Ride is five weeks from yesterday.
See you guys there. [thumbsup]
It's hard to belive that we're already down to the wire (so to speak), but we are looking forward to the event! [thumbsup]
You guys have a great time in Tahoe this weekend and I look forward to seeing pics from the ride!
Moab Training is coming along nicely!
Quote from: bryant8 on June 03, 2010, 05:24:18 PM
You guys have a great time in Tahoe this weekend and I look forward to seeing pics from the ride!
Moab Training is coming along nicely!
The Big Nasty is one bugger of a hill to climb on that ride, I hear. ;D
Quote from: Randimus Maximus on June 03, 2010, 05:52:14 PM
The Big Nasty is one bugger of a hill to climb on that ride, I hear. ;D
That's the word on the streets. I'm looking forward to the challenge of 3000' in 7 miles... the upside is that its within the first 30miles. In Solvang the major climb started at mile 75
http://skinnytireevents.com/images/stories/PDFs/MCT2010%20Maps%20&%20Elevations.pdf (http://skinnytireevents.com/images/stories/PDFs/MCT2010%20Maps%20&%20Elevations.pdf)
But back on the topic of Tahoe, you guys have safe travels to/from and a safe ride. Must see pics from Spooner and Emerald Bay!
Congrats on finishing the ride, Maureen & Dave! [thumbsup]
Good seeing you guys up in Tahoe.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Hey everyone,
I wanted to do a wrap up on this thread and start by thanking everyone who supported us both with words of encouragement and with donations.
Since the last time we posted up a lot has happened (good things). Ron successfully completed his chemo treatments and all of the cancerous tumors have gone away, he also successfully completed a stem cell transplant that was required to reboot his immune system.
On the best note, Ron has completed treatment - successfully. He's out of the hospital, had the tri-port removed from his chest, and is enjoying a revitalized life. He's so far in the green that he doesn't need to go back to the doctors for 2 months.
Everyone is simply overjoyed that the support that was shown to him helped keep his spirits high and got him to this point. Thank you all for your care and concern.
Have a great Friday and enjoy life!
Dave,
Thanks for the follow-up on Ron. That is incredible news on his progress. [thumbsup]
I just returned from Moab where I participated in The Moab Century Tour with the Rocky Mountain Chapter of TNT as an alum. It is one tough ride! (I'll post about that in the bicycle thread).
Got to meet Bryant8, a multiple time TNT participant. [thumbsup]
And the 125 TNT riders there raised over $450,000 for the cause. [bow_down] [bow_down]
GO TEAM!
Hey Randy,
Thanks and I'm glad that MOAB was a good time! I'll check the other thread about it!
Bryant8 and Randimus post century ride:
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs606.snc4/58664_1645667904950_1334467589_3221674_6028507_n.jpg)
Go Team! [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
Go Team indeed! Looking forward to the next event!