I have obviously been on a writing hiatus, as this blog has not been updated for... nine months.
The following is a summary of some events that transpired from then to now.
For those of you who don't know Pedal the Cause, it is an annual cycling event that raises money for cancer research. All of the money donated stays in St. Louis and goes directly to The Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children's Hospital. Unlike some fundraising organizations, Pedal the Cause only uses sponsorship money to cover overhead and event costs. That means if you donate one hundred dollars, 100% of that $100 is used to help cure cancer. Please check it out: Pedal the Cause
In May of 2015, Beth and I were contacted by Pedal the Cause. Apparently someone was checking out random profiles of riders and they found my link to this blog, on mine. They liked our story and wanted to share it with others. They asked if we would be willing to be a part of a campaign to raise awareness of the organization/event as well as people involved in the fight against cancer. The "Featured Fighters" are people fighting cancer: someone with cancer, a researcher, a doctor, or like myself someone helping in the fight. Beth and I agreed and over the next few months we did what felt like a media circuit.
It started with a photo shoot and interview for the Road to Pedal campaign.
Next was a live interview on Great Day St. Louis.
After that KMOV's Steve Harris came to our house to do another interview for his segment Harris' Heros.
All were nerve-racking for me. I hate being in the spotlight and public speaking, but I endured it because I believe in this cause and organization.
If one or more of those videos didn't pull at your heartstrings, you're a monster. Here is a link to the videos of all the Featured Fighters. One of those are bound to cause a moist eye. Each one of them are great people.
The day before the actual Pedal the Cause ride, is Taste the Cause. It is a celebration of sorts, for all the participants hard work. There are multiple festivities:
Finally there was an inspirational program. Speeches and recognition were given. All of the "Featured Fighters" came on stage and shared the impact of cancer on their life.
In front of all these people...
This was the most anxious I have ever been. However the whole program was extremely moving and I was close to tears. (who am I kidding, I was crying).
The next day was the ride. I had a blast.
The whole time I wished I was sharing the ride with my friends and family. So I recruited some of them and started a team. Team The Mud and the Muck. We even have a custom jersey.
We were fortunate to attend the check presentation. A representative from The Siteman Cancer Center was there to accept the check from Pedal. This year $3,147,000 were raised through donations! Less than two months after the ride, this money was put into the hands of researches who will use it to fund studies, experiments, and work to fight/cure cancer. No bureaucracy or time wasted with boards deciding where the funds should go. The money we all raised this year is already being put to use. That is why Beth and I have become so passionate about Pedal the Cause.
A few weeks before the Pedal the Cause weekend, Beth and I threw a bags/cornhole/bean bag toss tournament. We got some beer, cooked some food and found some prizes to raffle off. It was a fun time that helped us raise more money for Pedal. We are planning on making this an annual event. Please join us this year. I assure you a great time for a great cause.
This year will be my third year participating in Pedal the Cause. It will be Beth's first. Please consider donating or even better, join our team and ride with us.
The following is a summary of some events that transpired from then to now.
For those of you who don't know Pedal the Cause, it is an annual cycling event that raises money for cancer research. All of the money donated stays in St. Louis and goes directly to The Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children's Hospital. Unlike some fundraising organizations, Pedal the Cause only uses sponsorship money to cover overhead and event costs. That means if you donate one hundred dollars, 100% of that $100 is used to help cure cancer. Please check it out: Pedal the Cause
In May of 2015, Beth and I were contacted by Pedal the Cause. Apparently someone was checking out random profiles of riders and they found my link to this blog, on mine. They liked our story and wanted to share it with others. They asked if we would be willing to be a part of a campaign to raise awareness of the organization/event as well as people involved in the fight against cancer. The "Featured Fighters" are people fighting cancer: someone with cancer, a researcher, a doctor, or like myself someone helping in the fight. Beth and I agreed and over the next few months we did what felt like a media circuit.
It started with a photo shoot and interview for the Road to Pedal campaign.
Next was a live interview on Great Day St. Louis.
After that KMOV's Steve Harris came to our house to do another interview for his segment Harris' Heros.
All were nerve-racking for me. I hate being in the spotlight and public speaking, but I endured it because I believe in this cause and organization.
If one or more of those videos didn't pull at your heartstrings, you're a monster. Here is a link to the videos of all the Featured Fighters. One of those are bound to cause a moist eye. Each one of them are great people.
The day before the actual Pedal the Cause ride, is Taste the Cause. It is a celebration of sorts, for all the participants hard work. There are multiple festivities:
- Food sponsors sharing their fares.
- Music.
- The Barefoot Cruiser Cup (teams of four, race an 8 lap relay for glory and fame. Costumes and shenanigans ensue).
- The "Living Proof" photo (just outside the frame you would see Beth running toward the group, only to arrive too late to make it in the picture. Next year maybe.)
- A kids bike challenge. Kids of all ages riding as many laps as they can with a Fitz's root beer float as a prize. Lilly and Evie both rode their bike in this.
Finally there was an inspirational program. Speeches and recognition were given. All of the "Featured Fighters" came on stage and shared the impact of cancer on their life.
In front of all these people...
This was the most anxious I have ever been. However the whole program was extremely moving and I was close to tears. (who am I kidding, I was crying).
The next day was the ride. I had a blast.
The whole time I wished I was sharing the ride with my friends and family. So I recruited some of them and started a team. Team The Mud and the Muck. We even have a custom jersey.
We were fortunate to attend the check presentation. A representative from The Siteman Cancer Center was there to accept the check from Pedal. This year $3,147,000 were raised through donations! Less than two months after the ride, this money was put into the hands of researches who will use it to fund studies, experiments, and work to fight/cure cancer. No bureaucracy or time wasted with boards deciding where the funds should go. The money we all raised this year is already being put to use. That is why Beth and I have become so passionate about Pedal the Cause.
A few weeks before the Pedal the Cause weekend, Beth and I threw a bags/cornhole/bean bag toss tournament. We got some beer, cooked some food and found some prizes to raffle off. It was a fun time that helped us raise more money for Pedal. We are planning on making this an annual event. Please join us this year. I assure you a great time for a great cause.
This year will be my third year participating in Pedal the Cause. It will be Beth's first. Please consider donating or even better, join our team and ride with us.
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