Kickin' Cancer In The Butt

Some of you may already know, but someone special got some lousy news a few weeks ago. The kind of news that chills you to the bone, and makes you remember how weak and mortal and helpless you are.

And I don't deal well with being told I'm helpless. It doesn't sit right by me.

So I'm gonna do a little something about it. I'm hoping you'll help me.

I'm getting my rear in gear to show my support for John

The walk takes place March 29, and is 5km (about 3.1 miles). This is a pretty big deal for me, since my own health issues have meant that it's only just recently that I've even been able to walk one mile. So I'll be "training," starting September 1st, as follows:

in September and October I will walk ONE mile at least three days a week
in November and December I will walk TWO miles at least three days a week
in January and February I will walk THREE miles at least three days a week
and in March, I will walk FOUR miles, at least three days a week until the event (March 29.)

I tell you this for two reasons -
One is that I would love your help in sponsoring the actual walk - I've set up a walk-exclusive (interest bearing) bank account to help gather your donations (and started it off with the first $25, which will go to my registration fees - I'll add more later) with an initial goal of $500 that I would love to blow out of the water.

but the other reason is I also thought perhaps sponsoring my training might be a more "active" option for you. Perhaps you'd rather sponsor me per day of training (3 days a week times 30 weeks = 90 days of training) or by mile trained (200 minimum, give or take some faulty math on my part) or some other progressive way? Perhaps you'd rather give donations after I've passed several milestones, rather than waiting for the event?

However you want to support - even just a "get off your butt and walk!" cheer - is more than appreciated. Friends in the neighborhood who want to walk with me (and don't mind some goofy canine protection) can let me know. Friends out of the neighborhood are welcome to spread the news to let others know where they can donate.

And friends in any neighborhood should, please, please, please be aggressive with your doctors, and listen to your bodies. Doctors recommend routine screening for this after the age of 50. John is 36 and at Stage 4. Not being in the high risk group is not the same as being safe.

Thanks for your help.



To support my walk, you can PayPal donations to
CancerWalk [at] MingledYarn [dot] Net
Please note that it's for the Cancer Walk in the subject line.
I will be collecting funds until March 28, 2008 at which point I will empty the account (remember that paypal will take a portion), take a photo of the cashier's check for y'all to see, and donate the entire wad to the Scope It Out walk charity, or another colorectal-cancer related charity of John and Jody's choice.
(the tickers at the top will be adjusted when I put contribution funds into the bank account, and will reflect that account's balence)

Thank you!