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I’ve signed up for the 2009 LIVESTRONG Challenge in Seattle which will happen on June 21st 2009. Those of you not familiar with the event(s): The LIVESTRONG Challenge is the LAF's signature fundraising event. Whether you walk, run, ride, volunteer or donate, your participation is one more powerful weapon in the fight against cancer. If you are not familiar with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (apparently you’ve been living under a huge boulder!): The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) unites people through programs and experiences to empower cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. The LAF focuses on cancer prevention, access to screening and care, research and quality of life for cancer survivors. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF has raised more than $250 million for the fight against cancer. Join 60 million LIVESTRONG wristband wearers and help make cancer a national priority. The LAF helps survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer. The Foundation helps them understand what to expect from the cancer experience and the right questions to ask and provides support along the way. Personally I am a supporter of the LAF and almost every dollar I give to charity every year goes to the LAF. I have many a very personal reasons for supporting this worthwhile cause. I am an avid cyclist. I have been since I was about 4 year old… okay maybe I wasn’t ‘avid’ at 4 but I have always loved riding. I was very into BMX in my early teen years but the I got serious about cycling in 1984 when I watched Alexi Grewal win the gold medal in the Olympics for the US of A. I sold all my BMX bikes and bought a Trek 610 (which I STILL have!). This was about the time Greg LeMond was an up and coming star… I am lucky enough to have met Greg two years ago at a charity bike ride in Wenatchee, WA to support the Mike Utley Foundation (another charity I support). Of course I’m also a HUGE fan of Lance Armstrong. He’s always been an inspiration to me. The cycling connection is only a VERY minor reason why I support the LAF. See BOTH of my parents are cancer survivors. My Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer over 20 years ago, when I was junior in High School. Thanks to modern medicine and my Mom’s incredible resolve (please note that I did NOT say stubbornness!) she is still with us today at 77 years of age. The LAF was not around back in 1986 but in hindsight it would have been nice to have been able to tap into their resources even if it was just for advice! In 2003 my Dad was diagnosed with cancer. Lymphoma in his maxillary sinus. Apparently a very rare location for a tumor to manifest itself… I think the doctors at the time said they’d only been able to find a hand full of cases to research. It presented itself in a particularly strange way as the cancer was pushing up through the top of the sinus cavity and causing my Dad eye trouble. It took a series of doctors to finally figure out what was causing the discomfort. Again a happy ending after chemotherapy and radiation treatments -- the cancer is in full remission and other than a few lingering effects from the treatments my Dad is alive and feisty (again I DID NOT say stubborn) at the young age of 83! I also am an avid reader of The Fat Cyclist, Elden Nelson. I have joined Team Fatty: Fighting For Susan to tray an break shatter the LAF record for fundraising. I ask that you help me by clicking donating on my site at: http://seattle09.livestrong.org/stevebargelt CLICK HERE TO DONATE
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