Why do I support LIVESTRONG? For those whose time ran out

As much as I hate to admit it, I can hold a grudge.

March 1980. December 2009. February 2010. I could go on and on listing months and years marking the loss of loved ones and those I knew who died fighting cancer. Lance articulated this last year at the 2011 LIVESTRONG Challenge when he explained these fighters didn't "lose" their battles. They were still fighting. But their "time ran out."

That means there is still a battle to be fought, even after they are gone.

For me, my war was waged to take revenge on cancer for taking my Gramma away from me when I was only in 1st Grade. Cancer had previously taken my other grandmother years before I was born. But Gramma was the only living grandparent I had. I was closer to her than any other person on this planet. Cancer robbed me of her in a matter of months.

The fact that it swept up a string of loved ones, friends and family members of those I encountered like a tidal wave within my first year of becoming a LIVESTRONG Leader didn't help.

Another fact is that once time runs out for our loved ones, we feel incapacitated. What's next for us?

Of course, we remember our loved ones.

But my grandmother was a fighter. The odds she fought in her life were incredible. She was a tiny woman, but she had more strength than 10 football players, physically and emotionally, if she needed it. She astounded me with her brawn.

Whether their time ran out today or 25 years ago, we can still continue our loves ones' fights. We can ride in their honor. We can run in their honor. We can raise funds to give back to others who are fighting where they left off.

If I know my grandmother like I think I do, there is no question in my mind that if she were alive today, she would have walked the 5k ROCK the RIDE & RUN this year with me in Pound Ridge, holding my hand, with pride. She might have even ventured on her gold and white 3-speed and ridden with me a bit to get me back on the bike.

So, I walk, ride and do what I can with her spirit in my heart, hearing her voice in my head, and knowing that the fight she fought isn't over until no one has to lose their Gramma the way that I did ever again.

Please help me support my war, and consider donating in memory of your loved one whose time ran out, today. http://laf.convio.net/goto/RicaRocksAustin2012

AMAZING Raffle Item for Sunday's ROCK the RIDE & RUN for #LIVESTRONG #DWTS

Dance With me Dance Studios is one of the nation's leading ballroom dance studios and home to Tony Dovolani, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Val Chmerkovskiy who are dance professionals from ABC's Dancing with the Stars. The studio was founded in 2004 by Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Sasha Chmerkovskiy and Jhanna Volynets. Dance With Me recently opened doors in Stamford, Conn. and is proud to provide LIVESTRONG and the Lance Armstrong Foundation with a rare private coaching session with Tony Dovolani at its elegant new studio at 20 Summer Street in Stamford.

Other raffle items include services by the Travelling Bike Shop, sessions with SpinCycle in Pound Ridge, NY, Pound Ridge Pilates in Pound Ridge, NY, an item from Antiques & Tools and more!

The raffle will be held on Sunday, April 29 at the 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN benefiting LIVESTRONG after the last walker comes in. Winners must be present to win or make arrangements to pick up their prize from me within 3 business days of the event (by Wednesday, May 2, 2012).

Tickets are available for a $5 donation for one ticket, $10 for 3 tickets and $20 for 7 tickets. You can donate the day of the ROCK the RIDE & RUN or you can make your donation online at laf.convio.net/goto/RicaRocksAustin2012. Please include the tag #DWTS to indicate that your donation is to be entered into the raffle.

Registration for the 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN benefiting LIVESTRONG is still open! Every registration includes one complimentary raffle ticket!

Choose Your Own Adventure

Not everyone can ride a bike like Lance Armstrong. Not everyone can run a marathon. But we can all do something to fight cancer on Sunday, April 29. For those that choose to run, walk or ride their bikes, gather at the Trinity Corners Shopping Center on Westchester Avenue in Pound Ridge, NY to participate in the 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN.

"Although I prefer to ride my bike, I know so many people that want to do something to join the fight against cancer, so 3 years ago, the kids and I put this event together," Rica Mendes, LIVESTRONG Leader explains. "We wanted to make sure that everyone - regardless of their athletic ability - had the chance to participate and help us raise awareness and funds in the fight against cancer."

This year is different for Mendes for a number of reasons. First, she has added a Virtual Participant category - this way, you register for $36, and you can choose to join the ROCK the RIDE & RUN anywhere - your home, your gym, the beach - anywhere in the world - and raise funds and awareness. Second, this is her first year participating as a cancer survivor.

Only 3 months after last year's ROCK the RIDE & RUN, Mendes got the word that she had breast cancer.

"I was floored. It came out of left field completely. Fortunately, I was already established within the LIVESTRONG network that it was much easier for me to build my support system. But it was still a struggle. I can only imagine how much more terrifying it is for people who don't already have that system in place.

"That's why this event, and support for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is even more important to me now. I don't ever want to hear about a cancer fighter feeling lost and like they have no place to go for any kind of resource - emotional, practical, physical, etc. LIVESTRONG does not discriminate - if you have cancer, you're automatically part of the family. It's just a matter of figuring out what we can do to help you and your family through your fight."

Registration is now open for the ROCK the RIDE & RUN. Go to http://www.active.com/5k-race/pound-ridge-ny/3rd-annual-rock-the-ride-and-run-benefiting-livestrong-2012 between now and April 28, 2012 at 11:59pm EST in order to register.


If you cannot attend, but you would like to contribute to Rica's fight against cancer, please feel free to make a donation at http://laf.convio.net/goto/RicaRocksAustin2012.

March Newsletter: Spring is here, and we are blooming with ideas!

If you didn't hear, I was declared "NED" - No Evidence of Disease. That means that there are no current signs that there is any cancer in my body. There are still things happening as far as treatment and recovery are concerned, and you can follow more about that on my blog, but the good news is that I'm NED. Thanks so much for your support as I fight my own cancer battle.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

•  3/14 in Darien, CT - Fondue-Raiser for LIVESTRONG - http://meltingpot.com/darien/specials/livestrong-fondue-raiser
  Dine with us and you will enjoy a special four-course fondue feast for just $44.95 per person. A portion of the proceeds from each meal purchased ($10.00) will go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Please phone in your reservation today: 203-656-4774
  
• 4/29 in Pound Ridge, NY - The 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN benefiting LIVESTRONG - http://www.active.com/5k-race/pound-ridge-ny/3rd-annual-rock-the-ride-and-run-benefiting-livestrong-2012
  Choose to walk, run or ride to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation and show support for the 28 million living with cancer today! There will be activities for runners and cyclists of all levels before and after the event! Friends and family are invited to join in the fun at the LIVESTRONG Village at the Trinity Corners Shopping Center, featuring booths and tables from local organizations and businesses, and you'll be provided a directory of participating shops within walking distance so you can enjoy the day!
• 5/1 in Stamford, CT - Shop Smart/Do Good at Lord & Taylor in Stamford - http://www.lordandtaylor.com/dogoodstamford
  Donate $5 for every ticket that you want for the event, and you'll get access to Lord & Taylor's best offers of the year with very limited exclusions! Be sure to select "Lance Armstrong Foundation" in the drop down menu when you purchase tickets online. Everyone who gets their tickets to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation will be entered to win a $25 Lord & Taylor Gift Card from me! You can also, email me and I can send you your tickets in advance. Tickets will also be available at the Fondue-Raiser and the ROCK the RIDE & RUN.
• 5/6 in New York City, NY - Team LIVESTRONG joins the TD Bank 5 Boro TourJoin Team LIVESTRONG as we ride the TD Bank 5 Boro Tour! Let me know if you want to join us - rmendes.livestrong@gmail.com! And let me refer you to the team - For every new VIP registration that I refer, another $100 will be donated to LIVESTRONG! Email me if you would like one of the remaining VIP slots left!
• June - date TBD - Camping Trip for Cancer SurvivorsSupported and sponsored by EMS with additional supplies by REI - please let me know if you'd be interested in participating in a weekend of hiking, camping and outdoor activities at a local nature reserve!

I'd like to thank the following businesses for providing their support:

• The Melting Pot for so generously hosting our 2nd Annual Fondue-Raiser
• The 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN would like to thank the growing number of businesses & organizations who have committed to joining us: The Pound Ridge Business Association, The Traveling Bike Shop, REI, EMS, Mark Boyland of Keller Williams Real Estate, Keystone Development, Team Danbury Audi - a local amateur team with some of the top competitive cyclists in their class!
• Lord & Taylor for allowing us to participate in the Shop Smart/Do Good event

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• We are still actively seeking volunteers & sponsors for the 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN! We need people to help at registration, to receive riders, runners & walkers upon their return, items for raffle, swag bags, sponsors for our t-shirts, businesses willing to donate food & drinks, etc.
•  Do you own, or are associated with, a local gallery and would be willing to allow a 2-4 week long exhibit and art sale benefiting LIVESTRONG? Please let us know - we have a number of artists from across the country donating pieces for this project - now, we only need a home!
• The Wilton YMCA is currently seeking votes to receive a grant and the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program! Vote to bring LIVESTRONG funding to Wilton, CT for a program proven to support families fighting cancer. Add your vote before the deadline. http://vote.livestrong.org//vote2012/applicants/215-wilton-family-ymca-inc/
• If you are a cancer survivor, or know one, and would like to join a small group of us for a camping trip, please let me know. I'm working on solidifying a date and location, but EMS & REI have agreed to provide us with some equipment for free and at reduced rates, as well as some guides. It should be a lot of fun and a nice treat!

More events and happenings are in the works. There are so many ways that you can be involved in the fight against cancer. And if you need help, please reach out to me and let me help or go to livestrong.org.

As always, I look forward to seeing all of you at our events! Be sure to introduce yourself and keep in touch! Thanks again!

If you cannot attend one of our events, but you would still like to contribute to the cause, please go to http://laf.convio.net/goto/RicaRocksAustin2012 and make a donation. Let us know if you would like to make the donation in honor or in memory of someone, and we'll bring a racing bib with your dedication on it to Austin in October of 2012. 

-- 
Rica Mendes, LIVESTRONG Leader

Registration now open for the 2012 ROCK the RIDE & RUN

Not sure that I'll have as much hair this year,
but I'll try!

We're still getting approvals on the courses, but registration is NOW OPEN for the 3rd Annual ROCK the RIDE & RUN!

Choose to ride your bike, run or walk to kick cancer with me, the kids and the community!

REGISTER NOW: www.active.com/5k-race/pound-ridge-ny/3rd-annual-rock-the-ride-and-run-benefiting-livestrong-2012

I'm also seeking volunteers and businesses to sponsor expenses like the insurance, t-shirts, etc! If you're interested, please contact me at rmendes.livestrong@gmail.com.