Bleary eyed, I arrived at the exhibition centre, dropped off my gear, and got some breakfast. I learned right away that vegetarian means you get breads and grains. I can’t have that so I shrugged it off and ate what would keep me strong for the next two days, bacon and bananas – breakfast of the champions. I know that coffee dehydrates but I was worried about those migraines I get when I don’t have coffee so I had a cup and two extra cups of water to be safe.

They gave us all event cycling jerseys to wear on day one. To see over 2,500 people all in a sea of yellow was overwhelming for me. All those people working towards the same goal. I could not stop crying. The speeches got to me, as they were meant to, but when They brought out 6 people escorting the riderless bike, it hit home hard.

There were 3 ladies holding a hand lettered sign that said “Go Treehuggers”, I thanked them for looking out for us Californians and asked them to snap my very first photo where I was brave enough to let you all see me in full spandex. Oy. They weren’t cheering on the Californians, they had a team named Tree Huggers, go figure.

I’ve made a personal commitment over the next five years to don my helmet and cycle to raise funds for cancer cures. To date, I’ve raised $3,478 and my family as a whole as raised $10, 478! We need to keep working together to conquer cancer for those struggling right now and for those yet to be diagnosed. To accomplish this I’ll be cycling The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Princess Margaret Hospital is a cycling journey from Toronto to Niagara Falls – a distance of over 200 km – that I’m embarking on to fight cancer. It will be a challenge in a number of ways, but with my bike, my helmet, and your generosity, a real impact will be made!

I’m asking my supporters to please make a donation of $218; one dollar for every kilometer I am committed to riding and eighteen for life! Of course any contribution is welcome as you support and generate the all-important funds for research, which will be allocated based on the highest cancer research priorities at The Princess Margaret and OCI. Click here to DONATE

I’m a firm believer that cancer does not stop at the U.S./Canada border. Because of that I’ve created Team US Cares to participate in The Ride to Conquer Cancer. The event is not just for athletes or cycling enthusiasts. It’s the ride for anyone who wants to challenge themselves for a great cause. All you need is motivation, a bike, and a helmet. The rest is history. To be a part of it and join Team US Cares, click here. (Team Password: kickbutt)

We need YOUR help in making a difference. Like all of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

Each one of us going to Solvang has a fundraising commitment. The event is less than 2 weeks away and Rachael is $1,800 short of her commitment. Since she stopped working on Saturday’s to be sure she had time for training, she has lost income and now the job, so there is no way for her to make this up before March 8th, the day of the Solvang Century ride.

After 5 months of training it hardly seems right not to help her raise money for all individuals who are battling blood cancers.

Please click to help her and others cross the finish line against this terrible disease.

It’s been an eye opening week.

We lost someone that we met through our BNI business group, Phyllis Kaufman. Some time ago, she took a medical leave, and when asked how can we help, she responded that all she really wanted was a call now and then and to be in touch. Her medical leave was brief because you can’t keep a woman like Phyllis down, and she was back at the chapter meetings lickity split.

From time to time, I would call Phyllis, never as much as I should and mostly while I was traveling. Our phone calls were always long and usually had me sitting on the steps with no distractions, because she was so full of energy, I couldn’t miss a beat and still keep up with her. There was never a time when she wasn’t more concerned about me or other people in her life then herself. She knew this eventual end was not who she was to others or herself.

At the same time, I received an email from someone very close to me, that I have only met twice (or was it once?). Trish has been my right hand over at WWB for ten years. We’ve worked virtual side by side in the chatrooms and have shared our family stories, challenges and personalities to each other i the way women do. I’ve never felt Trish was any where other than right here with me – she’s another go getter that makes me, the over achiever, look like a slacker.

Trish is taking an experimental drug trial. She is fortunate enough that the $4,000 medication is free to her during the trial. In typical Trish fashion, she is more concerned that her discomfort during this time will help someone learn enough to provide help to others. She never misses a chance to touch my heart with that big southern heart of hers.

I’ve been thinking about Trish and Phyllis this week, my starfish, and how their lives have made me even more aware that we have so much to do towards making a difference. It’s not just about finding a cure, it is about the day to day issues as these people make their way. The cost of the medication, the support they need and provide,

Join me to provide day to day things like medicine, parking at Children’s Hospital, curing leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and helping patients and their families.curing leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and helping patients and their families. Donate now at: http://www.active.com/donate/tntgla/cysbronner

My fundraising and training took a hit by my detour to care for my brother, but not my commitment to the cause.

Jack is not only off life support now but we’re looking at moving him to the US where they have different quality of physical therapy and he can recover. This means that I will once again have my weekend’s in a country where people bike, or at least in a country where the rain doesn’t pour down every half hour and flood the streets. Just in time, too – the new training season for Solvang starts on Oct 16th.

My goal is still to raise $5018 (remember that extra eighteen for life!) and I know I can do it with your help. But since I lost $1200 due to the rsvp that TNT placed for me regarding plane and hotel bookings, we’re going to have to work just a little harder.

I promise to get my butt on that bike and cycle for the cure, and then some. Please help support me and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by donating today.

I’ve taken on the challenge of 100 miles and make a difference in the lives of 785,829 Americans living with blood cancers.
Over a 5 month period I am training with my Team in Training group towards this amazing goal to make a difference. Yesterday, I rode over 50 miles in preparation because I know that every penny I raise helps to stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.
Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $550.8 million for research specifically targeting these cancers. Unfortunately, the reality is that every 10 minutes one person dies from a blood cancer so we still have a long way to go.
The clock is ticking …
Please help us by donating at: http://www.active.com/donate/tntgla/cysbronner

Special thanks to those that have helped me reach my goal:
David Aaronson
Felipe Borrerro
John Bronner
Diana Bures
Giulio Campanelli
Cyl Donner
Sara Ingalla
Sandy Karp
Vivian Karp
George Lodge
Chris McKenry
Kipp Penovich
Michael Rozales
Brennan Smilth
Dave Rittenhouse
Bonnie Vitti
Donna Wolfe

We need your support to cross the ultimate finish line…a cure. Don’t be shy, donate now!!!