Why do I support LIVESTRONG? Community

On Sunday, close to 100 people turned up at West Rock Ridge State Park, including racers and spectators, to participate in the ROCK the RIDGE benefiting LIVESTRONG Mountain Bike Race. Folks gathered from Maine to New York to New Jersey and everywhere in between. Of course, many may not have cared less what the cause was, it was merely the series finale of the New England Championship Series for the Eastern Fat Tire Association. But others turned out to show support.

During the racers' meeting, when I reminded folks of the cause and why it was so significant, as we, in EFTA, lost a beloved member to cancer a couple of years ago, there was a tangible shift in mood. Everyone was still excited, but there was a sense of intensity that seemed to hover in the air.

It's not the first time I've experienced that.

When I decided, long before I was diagnosed, that I was going to ride 200 miles to support LIVESTRONG a couple of years ago, I was more excited about the adventure than the cause. That is, until I learned of a couple of friends who were fighting cancer. Then, it hit me, when I found myself struggling, that I was doing this for something greater than me. And, as I rode, and I chit-chatted with other riders along the way in the New York City Century Tour, and told them why I was riding, their smiled turned serious - not angry, not sad, but intense, and we rode a little faster.

Online, on Twitter and Facebook, LIVESTRONG Leaders, registered Team LIVESTRONG members and others in the "community" form a support network. Again, before I was diagnosed, I merely mentioned that I was doing a ride for LIVESTRONG, and all of a sudden, there was a throng of survivors that were connecting with me. I joked that I felt in with the "in" crowd without having cancer. (Oh, the irony.)

But I'd found a community.

When I was diagnosed, I thanked my lucky stars I was already plugged into that community, though, there is no doubt in my mind, that had I come in off the street and asked for membership, I would have been welcomed with open arms. Why? Because I see it done. With everyone that says, "I need help - I have cancer," or, "My dad has cancer," or, "I just lost my cousin to cancer," a note of encouragement is sent by someone at LIVESTRONG, fellow leaders, etc.

So to, on Sunday, at the end of the race, there was a community - even though it was a one-day community, it was there.

There are rare instances in one life where, blindly, you are accepted into a group. And there is no time as important as during a battle with cancer when that is needed.

LIVESTRONG is a global community of caretakers, survivors, supporters and leaders.

To show your support for this community and the cause, please consider a donation to my LIVESTRONG Challenge account: HTTP://LAF.CONVIO.NET/GOTO/RICAROCKSAUSTIN2012

Why do I do this to myself?

I had a friend that resurfaced after several years and visited me and the kids a couple of years ago. I've always been the queen of self-deprecating and sarcastic humor, so calling me, or a loved one "stupid" isn't an insult, it's a term of affection. He, however, took great offense when I called my son stupid. Said friend, it should be noted, has never been one to pick up on social cues or tone very well, so I had to explain that my son knew I wasn't actually calling him stupid, or that he knew I didn't think he was actually a dummy, but that the affectionate tone I used, etc, was inclusive and a term of endearment.

That said, I can honestly tell you that I am stupid. Or stubborn. Or delusional. Here's why.

It's been just under 1 month since my last chemotherapy treatment. It's only been about a week or so that I've been able to touch my toes. I've only just begun pilates and some form of organized movement, outside of rolling in and out of bed, toddling in and out of the car, etc.

And yet, I've committed to not only raising $1,000 by May 1 for Team LIVESTRONG, but to ride the 43-mile TD Bank 5 Boro Tour as a V.I.P. with my son. No, I haven't learned, I'm still banging my head against that wall.

If you've been following my blog for some time, you'll know I rode it last year. I had a rather unfortunate mishap involving the tip of my saddle, my "delicate parts," and gravity which made the final stretch of the ride most exciting. And I went on, at length (ad nauseum) about how out of shape I was last year.

Well, never one to underperform, I'm entering into this venture even less in shape than I was last year. (Huzzah for me!) I have to tell you, despite that unfortunate collision, this was a tough ride. The ramp leading up to the Queensboro bridge is my NYC Kryptonite, as it nearly broke me before I'd even made it onto the bridge. And the approach to and the ride over the Verrazano is nothing to sneeze at.

But, I'm committed. (Or perhaps I should be?) Why?

Because cancer can't stop me. Chemotherapy isn't going to stop me. It may slow me down, it may force me to struggle harder to regain whatever "normal" feels like. But it's not the end of me. I've got fight in me, still, and now I've got one more weapon in my arsenal when attacking a Challenge like this one: REVENGE.

I'm taking revenge out on cancer. I'm taking revenge for losing my breasts. For losing my hair. For losing my eyelashes. (Though, I was thankful about losing leg hair, etc, allowing me to retire the razor and body wax for a while.)

Back this Cancer Vigilante, would ya? $1,000 by May 1 sounds like a lot, but let me tell you, a little bit every day helps tremendously. Please make a donation today - any amount is appreciated.

Patriots fan? Giants fan? No matter, we all hate cancer, right?

I've got a Kick Cancer Super Bowl Pool open from now until Sunday at 5:30 pm EST. The good news? For every $10 donated, you get one square on the grid. The better news? The winners of the pool will get some awesome LIVESTRONG SWAG, including backpacks, t-shirts, hats, etc. The really great news? You'll have taken strides to help LIVESTRONG support survivors and fighters, like me, kick cancer straight through the goalposts and out of the stadium.

I beat cancer in my last Super Bowl matchup - chemotherapy was the field, and I scored the final touchdown.

Enter my Super Bowl pool, and help me and others fight for survivorship with Team LIVESTRONG.

Good luck!

(Of course, maybe I should make Pats fans pay $20... :)  Nah, it's all good. A die-hard NY fan like me is willing to look the other way... this time.)

Please visit http://laf.convio.net/goto/RicaRocksAustin2012 today!

White Plains/New Rochelle is not the center of the non-NYC universe!

I'm going on the record, here, in a plea to all cancer organizations who claim to "service" Westchester County, NY.

THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND WHITE PLAINS!

There is a large population of people in Northern Westchester that is unable to use public transportation, who are screaming for assistance! Mount Kisco, Lewisboro & Bedford have significant populations, and, unlike the Lower Westchester residents, we are left isolated!

For many of us, our Connecticut neighbors are far closer and accessible by public transportation than White Plains! But, because we are New York residents, we can't use them!

Please set up some satellite offices! And just because we are getting treatment in Connecticut, do not assume that we're "taken care of" or doing so to deny our New York roots!

And to those that provide the services, learn the geography of the county you serve! And I don't just mean looking at a map, I mean take a long look to see what it takes to get to White Plains! If I look at a map, it may look like, going from the border of one Northern Westchester town to yours, it's just a quick jaunt. But actually map out the route and you'll see it can be an ordeal, especially when you're in treatment.

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.

Start 2012 off on the right foot!

If there was one lesson I learned last year while organizing events, it was how important sponsors have been with expenses, promotion, etc. I am incredibly grateful to all of our sponsors from last year, and we are now looking for our 2012 sponsors!

Of course, our 2011 supporters are invited to participate again this year, but some of our events are getting bigger, and that means we need more assistance!

In order to ensure that the bulk of the registration fees for these events go to LIVESTRONG, we are not only looking for sponsors who will make a large donation to our Lance Armstrong Foundation Challenge account, but businesses that might be willing to cover some of the expenses like insurance, t-shirts, etc.

If you are an individual, but know of a company that might be interested in this opportunity, please direct them to this blog. Or, you can sponsor us in honor of a loved one or anonymously - however you feel comfortable!

Sponsorship Opportunities are as follows:

Title Sponsor for the Season - $3,000 Cash Donation
(1 sponsorship available)

• Title sponsorship. The (INSERT NAME) ROCK the RIDE & RUN Benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation and The (INSERT NAME) ROCK the RIDGE Benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation
• Logo on all printed materials including: t-shirt, handbills, course maps, registration forms
• Extra Large Logo with link on web site and welcome message on home page
• Recognition in all e-communications from January  to October
• Headline recognition in media and advertising (press releases, fact sheets, etc). Must be secured by January 31, 2011
• Prominent event day signage including
• 2 mentions per month from January to October on Facebook fan page
• Promotional item in goody bag
• Free registration for all employee participants from your organization at all events
• Vendor booth at event
• Announcement recognition
• Race day start speaking opportunity

Seasonal Platinum Sponsor - $1,000 Cash Donation

• Presenting sponsorship opportunity at all events
• Large Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt, handbills, course maps
• Large Logo with link on web site
• Recognition in six e-communications from January to October
• Company feature in one newsletter
• 1 mention per month from January to Oct on Facebook fan page
• Company included in media and advertising (press releases, fact sheets, etc). Must be secured by  January 31, 2011
• Opportunity for event day signage at vendor booth and victory party tent
• Vendor booth at all events
• Promotional item in goody bag
• Free registration for employee participants

Event Gold Sponsor - $750 or Pay for the Cost of Event T-Shirts

• Large Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt,  handbills, course maps
• Large Logo with link on web site in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Recognition in three e-communications regarding the event in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Three mentions on Facebook fan page in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Vendor booth at event
• Opportunity for event day signage at vendor booth and registration tent
• Promotional item in goody bag
• 5 Free registrations for employee participants

Event Silver Sponsor - $500/Pay for $500 of Expenses (Insurance, Port-a-Potties, etc)

• Medium Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt
• Medium Logo with link on web site in the 3 months leading up to the event
• 2 mentions in e-communications regarding the event in the 3 months leading up to the event
• 2 mention on Facebook fan page in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Vendor booth at event
• Opportunity for event day signage at vendor booth
• Promotional item in goody bag
• 5 Free registrations for employee participants

Event Bronze Sponsor - $250 or $250 In-Kind Donation towards Raffle

• Small Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt
• Small Logo with link on web site in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Vendor booth at event
• Opportunity for event day signage at vendor booth
• Promotional item in goody bag
• 3 Free registrations for employee participants

Event $100 Cash or $100 In-Kind Donation towards Raffle

• Extra Small Logo on printed materials including: t-shirt
• Extra Small Logo with link on web site in the 3 months leading up to the event
• Promotional item in goody bag
• Vendor booth at event

Event $75 Charitable Contribution

• Business Name on t-shirt
• Promotional item in goody bag

To become a sponsor, please contact us and let us know which sponsorship package you are interested in.

Help Me Get 100 Donations Benefiting LIVESTRONG for the Holidays

Before you put away that checkbook (actual or virtual) for the holidays, give a gift that will help impact 28 million worldwide living with cancer, in memory of those whose time ran out before they could beat the disease, and in honor of those actively in the fight, like me.

Dedicate your donation to someone you know and love, and I will hang a bib in their honor and send you a picture of that bib hanging in Austin.

 Any donation is welcome - big or small. 

My goal? To have 100 donations by the end of Christmas Day - 1 for every mile I've pledged to ride in Austin, TX in 2012. I have no idea if I'll be able to do it, but that's my goal.

Remember, even though the fundraising is for my 2012 efforts, your donation will be tax deductible for 2011!

 http://laf.convio.net/site/TR?px=1006281&fr_id=1182&pg=personal

This fundraising drive ends December 26, 2011 at Midnight!