Lets end this B.S. called cancer.

http://seattle2010.livestrong.org/obie

There are so many reasons why this fund raiser is important to me, but first and foremost, personally, I am doing this in support of my sister Shelly who is currently fighting Stage 4 Melanoma. Melanoma is an extremely difficult form of cancer to fight where traditional chemotherapy treatment doesn't easily apply. We need more clinical trials and more experimental treatments - we can only get there through personal donations such as these. You really can make a difference in funding these efforts.

The list below, is a portion of all the ways Cancer has touched my life directly
- and its only a portion. You all have your lists of how it has affected someone in your life too. Cancer is horrible and its everywhere and we can find a cure. We can also support those living with the disease. Please support me in this cause. Donate here: http://seattle2010.livestrong.org/obie, and add your list as a comment to this note. I'll be riding 70 miles in the LiveStrong Challenge on June 20th in support of the cause.

* My sister Shelly- Fighting Melanoma
* My aunt Marcella - Passed away
* My sister-in-law Stephani's best friend - Passed away (age 33 - Melanona)
* My good friend Bryan's Dad - Passed away
* My good friend Todd's Dad - Passed away
* My good friend Ruth's Mom - Passed away
* My former Father-in-law - Passed away
* My brother-in-law Tre's Mom - Passed away
* My old friends Brad and Stuart's mother- Passed away
* My good friend Helen's mom - Passed away
* My good friend Janette's dad - fighting cancer
* My good friend Regina's Dad - fighting cancer
* My good friend Leah's aunt - fighting cancer
* My good friend Kyle - cancer survivor
* My mother-in-law - cancer survivor
* My step-father - cancer survivor
* My aunt Lois - cancer survivor
* My uncle Hayden - cancer survivor
* My friend Kim - cancer survivor

This is in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation

Here is their Manifesto:

THE LIVESTRONG MANIFESTO
We believe in life.
Your life.
We believe in living every minute of it with every ounce of your being.
And that you must not let cancer take control of it.
We believe in energy: channeled and fierce.
We believe in focus: getting smart and living strong.
Unity is strength. Knowledge is power. Attitude is everything.
This is LIVESTRONG.

We kick in the moment you’re diagnosed.
We help you accept the tears. Acknowledge the rage.
We believe in your right to live without pain.
We believe in information. Not pity.
And in straight, open talk about cancer.
With husbands, wives and partners. With kids, friends and neighbors. Your health care team.
And the people you live with, work with, cry and laugh with.
This is no time to pull punches.
You’re in the fight of your life.

We’re about the hard stuff.
Like finding the nerve to ask for a second opinion.
And a third, or a fourth, if that’s what it takes.
We’re about preventing cancer. Finding it early. Getting smart about clinical trials.
And if it comes to it, being in control of how your life ends.
It’s your life. You will have it your way.

We’re about the practical stuff.
Planning for surviving. Banking your sperm. Preserving your fertility. Organizing your finances. Dealing with hospitals, specialists, insurance companies and employers.
It’s knowing your rights.
It’s your life.
Take no prisoners.

We’re about the fight.
We're your advocate before policymakers. Your champion within the health care system. Your sponsor in the research labs.
And we know the fight never ends.
Cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life.
This is LIVESTRONG.
Founded and inspired by Lance Armstrong, one of the toughest cancer survivors on the planet.