When are you folks going to get this upset to save lives? When are you going to camp out for the chance to give?
Abbe, Bill, and I are at 57% of our fundraising goal for LLS (we have raised $6291.50 towards our goal of $11,000). Today, Abbe and I are about to head out to Kelley Drive in Philadelphia for one of our longest training runs, 17 miles and I was struck by something a friend said to me when I mentioned our progress and they said they were not planning on donating because they felt we were raising money to go on a vacation to Disney… I stood there slack-jawed, but thought to myself, “don’t yell at this person, they are really asking a question.”
So I thought I’d spend today answering a couple of the questions we have been asked about why we are running.
Aren’t you doing this just for a vacation?
First, let me break down what is covered by the money we raise: hotel accommodations for the required time to register, prepare, and run – this is two days prior to the full and one day prior to the half we will be running; our registration for the race; the victory dinner. Disney gives us one free day at one park the day after we finish running 39.3 miles over two days. And then, oh wait… that’s it. We pay for our own air fare. Any extra days we spend at the parks is on us. Meals are on us. Last year, I was amazed at the runner’s expo had zero free samples – we were hoping to get a couple of Gu packets or something. So please, please if this is a question that is on anyone’s mind – rest assured, we are not doing this for a vacation. Remember, we are running almost 40 miles to raise money to fight blood cancers. Abbe and I are not wealthy people by any stretch of the imagination, this costs us a lot to get here even with the fundraising. Also, did you know that if we do not hit our fundraising goal by December 16th, the balance will be charged to us?
Aren’t you co-opting another’s illness for your own sort of internet fame?
First off, Alayna is beating leukemia and Abbe and I spoke with her father about running in her honor. If there was ever a hesitation on their part, we would still run I’m sure, but we will always honor the wishes of the families we run in honor of, always. This year I will have a new name written on my shoe at Disney – Aunt Bee. A fellow blogger contacted me with that request and I am very proud to do so. But back to that question, look at any video, blog post, newspaper article we have ever done – the message is consistent. We are running for Alayna, we are running for everyone that has lost someone or is in the fight of their lives against cancer.
As far self interest in running a marathon, yes I’ve dropped 30 pounds in the process and I feel better at 40 than I did at 20. But no one needs to run a marathon to lose even that much weight. I would be happy running 3 and 5 miles and feel great too. If there is anything in this for me that could be considered self-interest, it’s that I am teaching my children something that doing something for others is a very good thing. And if that bugs you, well… sorry.
And one last thought folks and I want this to sink in. This past Black Friday, the news was filled with stories of people camping out in advance of stores opening their doors and incredible acts of violence all in the name to spend money for the holidays. Shootings, stun guns, pepper spray, bomb threats, and people were getting trampled all in the name of being a good consumer. When are you folks going to get this upset to save lives? When are you going to camp out for the chance to give?
It’s time folks. We are ready - join us in something good this year. Even $5 and $10 donations help. If you can give, please do – if not, please share this post with others. Ok, time to run!
Small Business/Tech Links…
Funny/Interesting Links…
- Black Friday Shoppers Destroy WalMart Displays [VIDEO]
- Rollercoaster staircase
- Jabba the Cupcake
- How Money Corrupts Congress
November 27th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
wow. i am sort of shocked that people would ask either of those questions of you. i guess i shouldn’t be because when we were raising support to go live in trinidad and work among squatters people thought similar things, “oh they just want to live in the tropics on my dime.” yeah, ok right….
i am so proud of you and abbe and so grateful that you’re doing this thing. i just can’t imagine running that far. mr. lime has run 2 marathons and i’ve seen the training that goes into it. this is no vacation you’re going on. i for one am glad you get one free day at the park for all your hard work. i wish they fed you too!
i’m also deeply grateful that you’re carrying aunt bee with you alongside alayna.
November 28th, 2011 at 9:48 am
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