Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Texas Mamma Jamma Ride


Not that long ago I announced that Casey's Cancer Kickin' Krewe was the top fundraising team for last year's Austin Komen Race for the Cure.  I'll be walking again in this year's Race for the Cure, but I wanted to share the love and redirect some of my fundraising efforts to the Texas Mamma Jamma Ride.  I'm unable to participate in this year's ride, but I wanted to spread the word and encourage my closest internet friends to participate.  And if you're unable to ride or volunteer, I encourage you to consider making a donation.  

What:  Texas Mamma Jamma Ride
When:  October 27, 2012
Where:  Reunion Ranch
About:  The Texas Mamma Jamma Ride is a well-supported, one-day bike ride which raises money for local agencies that serve thousands of Central Texans with breast cancer 365 days a year. Participants have a choice of bike routes that run anywhere from 13 to 100 miles. It is a ride, NOT a race. It is an event for men, women, and families, and all levels of biking experience.
DONATE:  Please visit My Personal Fundraising Page

Be a part of the most successful breast cancer ride in the country and help us raise funds and 
awareness to fight breast cancer in Central Texas.

1 in 8 Women Will Be Diagnosed With Breast Cancer
If you know 8 women, chances are that one of them has been or will be affected by breast cancer.  There were 207,000 new cases of breast cancer reported by women in 2011, and nearly 40,000 women died from breast cancer last year.  The disease also affects men although it is much less common.  When anyone in the family suffers from breast cancer, the whole family feels the effects both emotionally and financially.
Your Participation Means More Survivors
You can make sure that early detection services, which are key to surviving breast cancer,  are available to all Central Texans regardless of their ability to pay. You can help provide funds for treatment so that people don’t have to choose between feeding their kids and getting well.  You can make sure that the newly diagnosed have the support, help, and guidance they need to survive.  You can make sure that everyone has the knowledge they need to reduce their risk to prevent recurrence of the disease. YOU can make a difference in the lives of thousands of people right here in Central Texas and help give them a fighting chance.
Getting Involved is Easy and Feels Good
There are many ways to help and no matter which one you choose you’ll feel good and have a great time knowing you are part of this community of caring.  
  • Volunteer:  All you need is a willingness to help and the time to give.  We have hundreds of positions available both leading up to and on Ride day.
  • Rider:  All you need is a bike and a willingness to take on a physical and fund-raising challenge. Free weekly training rides and skill sessions will prepare you for this amazing experience.  Each rider is asked to raise a minimum of $500. 
  • Team Captain: All you need is a willingness to recruit friends, family and colleagues to sign up for the team as an actual or a virtual rider and help them get started fundraising to make a difference.
  • Donor: Your gift insures that loved ones, friends and others have access to the support they need by helping agencies and organizations that change the odds for those with breast cancer every single day. 
You Can Do More Than You ThinkThink about how many people you know... friends, family, colleagues, faith community, fraternal organizations, sport groups, social clubs, people you do business with personally or professionally.  Now think about how many people have been affected or had a loved one affected by breast cancer. Nearly everyone knows someone.  When a loved one is diagnosed, friends and family want to help but often don’t know how or feel powerless to make a difference.  When you ask people you know to support you in the Mamma Jamma Ride, you are giving them an opportunity to take charge and fight back against a disease that impacts so many and to give back to our community in a fun supportive way.
What’s Raised Here Stays Here
This collaborative event supports 10 local nonprofit organizations providing a wide variety of supportive services to people in Central Texas.  This Ride is about challenging yourself, having fun and making a difference in our local community.
  • Breast Cancer Resource Center
  • Seton Family of Hospitals
  • Komen for the Cure, Austin Affiliate
  • Wonders and Worries
  • The Care Communities
  • Cancer Connection
  • Wings
  • Capital of Texas Team Survivor
  • Community Action
  • Sustainable Food Center


Thursday, August 23, 2012

What do the Following Have in Common: Telly Savalas, an Eagle, Curley from the 3 Stooges & Me

After 1 year and 10 months, my hair finally called it quits.  When I started this newer cocktail ("the other secret weapon") I was told that one of the drugs, Taxotere, could very well be the drug that takes my hair.  After 2 weeks of my first infusion my hair definitely started thinning.  I thought, eh, no biggie!  My hair thinned quite a bit last year, but never completely fell out.  Thankfully my hair has always been so thick.  Well, when I hit the 3rd week after my first infusion, I took a shower and lost pretty much half of my hair.  I can't even begin to describe how horrible of an experience this was.  It was disgusting, gross and flat out disturbing.  I decided then that I couldn't bare the thought of attempting to wash my hair again.  So what did I do... I pulled a Britney Spears and shaved my head!  I went to a salon here in Austin called Top This Salon who specializes in Shave Parties for chemo patients.  I mean if I'm going to lose my hair I might as well have a few laughs and the support from a few family members and friends.  I wish I could have put a little more planning into my Shave Party, but I was leaving the next day on vacation.  I spent a week in British Columbia, Canada with a few of my besties and had the time of my life!  I'm not going to lie, it's been weird getting used to my bald head.  I would catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and think, "oh my god, I'm bald!"  But it is what it is!  If I have to lose my hair to kick some cancer ass, then so be it!  Yesterday I had my 2nd infusion and I'll continue to have my infusions every 3 weeks.  Right now we're looking to have my next PET scan in about 6 weeks or so.  Until then and when I get a chance, I'll try to post some of my vacation pictures.  In the meantime, here are a few sneak peak pics of me and my bald head (and maybe a couple w/ my mohawk)...