That's right, Ironman. That crazy race with a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and then a marathon, 26.2 miles to finish it off. I'm registered for Ironman California on October 23! Almost exactly four years after my lung cancer surgery to remove my left lung.

https://www.ironman.com/im-california

And I'm fundraising for the GO2 Foundation to support lung cancer research and patient services. Why didn’t I send this out sooner? Well, I always feel just a bit awkward asking people to support a cause this way. So instead of having to do it for months, I kept it all for one big push at the end. So, please help me support the GO2 Foundation by making a contribution to my fundraiser and sharing this page with your family and friends and anyone you think might be interested in my story or in donating. Every dollar I raise will advance GO2 Foundation’s great cause of supporting lung cancer research and patient support services! 

Why am I doing this? Because there aren’t enough lung cancer survivors like me out there. There are plenty of people who get lung cancer, just not enough who survive and thrive after getting it. We need more treatments for lung cancer because even though lung cancer is the third most common cancer, more people die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer out there.

https://gis.cdc.gov/Cancer/USCS/#/AtAGlance/

So here is how fundraising and donations will work. My goal is $14,600 because the race is officially 140.6 miles start to end. For every donation of $50 to $74, I'll put the name of any loved one you chose (it doesn’t have to be lung cancer or even any kind of cancer. You just want to honor them in this way) on my racing bike shorts which I will wear the entire bike portion of the race, 112 miles. For a donation of $75 to $99, I'll put a name of your choice on my run shorts which I will wear for the run (26.2 miles) and across the finish line. Yes, I'm changing shorts for the bike and after the bike. Sorry, not sorry.  For a donation of $100 or more, I'll carry the name of your loved one or honored individual on my race top which will go with me the entire race including across the finish line! It would be an honor for me to carry the name and memory of the person of your choice as I attempt what just a few years ago seemed completely impossible. Be sure to put the name of the person yo want to honor in the notes with your donation so I’ll get it. If you donate anonymously, I won’t be able to see who donated or who you want to honor. For any donation of any size, please know that I truly appreciate whatever you can contribute.

If you would like to hear my full story in video format, I was lucky enough to be interviewed by representatives from Boehringer Ingelheim who turned my story into a short movie.

https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/human-health/cancer/lung-cancer/facing-lung-cancer

Below is a link from Charity Navigator that gives the GO2 Foundation high marks for its charitable efforts and financial management. FYI, GO2 is not providing me any training or race support in this effort. I did that all on my own. Ok, they are going to give me a t-shirt but that's about it! All the rest of your dollars go straight to the foundation to help fight lung cancer.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=16085

I love the fact that the slogan for Ironman is “Nothing is impossible.” I’d love to prove them right!

Feel free to track my progress on race day by downloading the Ironman app from the Apple or Android app stores. You should be able to search for the Ironman California event and then find my name. They will load the full list of race participants a day or two before race day, October 23.

Together, we can make a difference!  Thank you!

 #BeatLungCancer #MyPerfectIronman