October 22nd, 2007
Three Year Anniversary, Eighty Wristbands
An open letter to Lance Armstrong and Doug Ulman (CEO of the LAF),
I hold you two, and the entire LAF, responsible for the attached photo. After Lance mentioned (again) “more wristbands than I’ve ever seen on one person” at the LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin pre-ride dinner, Spencer decided he had to one-up himself. He scoured the house for leftover wristbands. He talked the folks at the mission tent at the Challenge into giving him two sacks filled with wristbands with the plan that he will give them away. He talked me into buying 20 more youth wristbands at the Challenge store. He picked up half a dozen more at the oncologist when he was in for an IV immunoglobulin on Wednesday.
Today is Spencer’s three year diagnosis anniversary and he is wearing 80 wristbands 
to school. He has more in reserve to “load up” again after he gives them away. This afternoon, he will attempt his martial arts class while wearing all those wristbands. Tomorrow, he will go to swim class “loaded up”. Do wristbands float? Thursday, he will wear them to his Cub Scout pack meeting and continue to give them away.
He also put Challenge tattoos on his forehead and forearms, in gross violation of school dress code. He did leave the Challenge hat at home today (also against dress code), but will wear it later this week when they have a one day exemption from the no hat rule. I’ll probably get a phone call from the principal or something today.
I hold the two of you, and the entire LAF, responsible.
Thank you. Both of you. All of you at the LAF.
Regards,
Rob Sartin
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I actually emailed this to Lance and Doug. Lance said:
and Doug said:
October 24th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Happy Anniversary Spencer! This post cracked me up. I also clicked on the “first day without training wheels” video clip and it took me back about 40 years or so to my first ride like that—I’ll never forget it, learning that I could keep myself balanced, and that it actually got easier as I went a bit faster, putting the fear behind me. Great music too—John Fahey? Leo Kottke?
In any event, here’s a toast to the end of the treatments, and more and more happy bike rides.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Spencer,
CONGRATS on #3 and way to go – you are my hero and an inspiration to all. And you upstaged a well known cyclist (Lance) with this photo.
So LIVESTRONG and give a big hug to mom and dad for they love you very much.
Rob & Rachel, thank you for raising such a wonderful young man and for all that you do in support of cancer survivors.
October 30th, 2007 at 12:39 am
[...] I was able to participate in two evening events. One of the events was a Friday night BBQ party for the Ride for the Roses participants at a beautiful game ranch in Creedmore, TX. It was a small group—maybe 100 people or so. Lance was in attendance and was very friendly with everyone. I think he knew most of the people in the room.
The night started with a silent auction. I saw a Cheryl Crow guitar go for $10,500!
After the Texas BBQ was served—Lance started narrating a slide-show on a projector. He started off by naming off the top fundraisers and went down the list—saying each name out loud. Many of the names had great survivor stories. One of them is 7 year old Spencer Sartin (if you don’t click on another link in this entire post, click on Spencer’s link). His dad raised him up in the air while Lance joked about Spencer holding the record for the most Livestrong bands ever worn by one person. Spencer is a cancer survivor going through chemo treatments—and rode in the ride with his dad! It was hard not to cry. Another was Matt Pomeroy, who’s mother just passed away after a 17 year battle with cancer. Matt decided to ride his bike across the country to raise money in her honor. He raised over $64,000! Some of the names couldn’t be their—as they were in hospital’s fighting cancer. A couple of names weren’t their because they didn’t make it—and then it hits home why Livestrong is important. [...]
October 30th, 2007 at 1:52 am
[...] I was able to participate in two evening events. One of the events was a Friday night BBQ party for the Ride for the Roses participants at a beautiful game ranch in Creedmore, TX. It was a small group—maybe 100 people or so. Lance was in attendance and was very friendly with everyone. I think he knew most of the people in the room.
The night started with a silent auction. I saw a Cheryl Crow guitar go for $10,500!
After the Texas BBQ was served—Lance started narrating a slide-show on a projector. He started off by naming off the top fundraisers and went down the list—saying each name out loud. Many of the names had great survivor stories. One of them is 7 year old Spencer Sartin (if you don’t click on another link in this entire post, click on Spencer’s link). His dad raised him up in the air while Lance joked about Spencer holding the record for the most Livestrong bands ever worn by one person. Spencer is a cancer survivor going through chemo treatments—and rode in the ride with his dad! It was hard not to cry. Another was Matt Pomeroy, who’s mother just passed away after a 17 year battle with cancer. Matt decided to ride his bike across the country to raise money in her honor. He raised over $64,000! Some of the names couldn’t be their—as they were in hospitals fighting cancer. A couple of names weren’t their because they didn’t make it—and then it hits home why Livestrong is important. [...]