Saturday, October 25, 2014

#13 You Lift Me Up!

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” 
― John Holmes

Exercise has always been a big part of my life but I could not imagine the strength and generosity that your healthy hearts could lift us to these towering heights.

 The Cancer vs Coaches event began three years ago by Coach Bo Ryan.  The idea behind it was to create excitement about the basketball team's upcoming season and to raise money for a cause.  We watched from an upper deck suite as droves of students stood in line to #makebopay while shooting a free throw for a ten dollar donation and a half court shot at a thousand dollars--all paid for by Bo.  It was a circus like atmosphere-- college students congregate, the circus arrives--and they all were genuine in the quest to find a cure for cancer.  

Meanwhile in the suite, Rob and I hosted a group of friends to watch the proceedings unfold.  At the end of the evening, Bo came and spoke to us and was thrilled to report that the event had raised over $53,000 with four people matching it to bring it to a grand total of $286,000! He seemed almost (but not quite) speechless.  What a tribute to him and what a score for research!

Our collaboration was an email, snail mail letter and plea out to as many friends and family we could ever possibly think of including.  Needless to say we have been overwhelmed and also speechless at the amount of money generated and still arriving daily.  Thus far the total is $30,000 with a matching grant of another thirty grand.  We feel blessed and eternally grateful knowing all of you who are willing to help me and others affected by this disease. Thanking you from the bottom of our hearts does not seem adequate but will have to do because I don't do pink souvenirs.

My number one husband also needs to be congratulated for pursuing the idea especially since I was hesitant to begin this drive.   I was proven wrong--again--and his call to action resulted in a victory for cancer research.

A warm hug and thank you for being as mad as I am about cancer and doing something about it.

Thanks for reading #13 out of 7777.






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