Riding for Roses

Spencer is raising money to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Donate to support cancer survivors and Spencer’s effort to raise $25,000 for the Ride for the Roses. I finally got my act together on May 24 and started executing the fundraising plan I had been drafting for months. Spencer has been talking up fundraising all along and we are slowly reaping the benefits of that. May 24 was day one of a one hundred day plan and it went well. The email campaign I did on Monday night and Tuesday is still tailing off. Spencer’s total donations as of a few minutes ago are $2,291.13. So far, the Deerfield Academy class of 1980 has donated $1050 to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation and others have donated another $325. Spencer’s total as of this writing is $2,291.13 and that doesn’t include somewhere between north (possibly way north) of $500 that is being mailed in by various people.

Why is this important to me?

I have personally seen the challenges of cancer from many perspectives. The issues that one faces with a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Many cancers have no effective cure or very low cure rates, and cancer can steal people from us before they fulfill their potential. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation can have short-term and long-term effects that are debilitating. The expense of paying for treatment can be financially devastating, escpecially for those who are underinsured. The emotional impact on the patient, family, and friends can be broad and complicated. Relapse is a constant concern during and after treatment. I am corresponding with one person who is a four time cancer survivor.

Well, that’s a fine and abstract set of reasons, but what does it all mean in concrete realities?

I want to start profiles of some people who have had cancer. I will be including cancer survivors and people who have died from cancer. I have some stories of my own. Tomorrow, I am going to start with the first person I knew who died from cancer: my grandfather. I am also sending emails to donors asking for stories and I’ll be posting some of those (with permission). Post a comment here if you’d like me to be in touch or to tell your, or a loved one’s, story.

While you’re thinking about cancer and its impact, please take some time to donate to support cancer survivors and support the Lance Armstrong Foundation.