Saturday, September 29, 2007

From : Joe Foran; Greetings from Day 2

Okay, so let's get this out of the way.

Ouch.

I'm not a very good cyclist, but I'd like to think that I can hold my own.

Yikes; these past few days, covering 160 miles in two days, are the toughest two days of cycling I've ever done. I've done over 200 in two days, I've done 111 in one day, but I've NEVER done a ride like this! The hils we climbed yesterday are like nothing I've ever done.

We rode through some of the prettiest terrain in Pennsylvania, and some of the most historic. As we rode through PA on the way to Trenton, NJ, today, we rode past Washington's Crossing, the site where General George Washington led the soon to be disbanded pieces of his Army acroos the ice-strewn Delaware to attack the Hessian forces and turn the tide of the Revolution. I stood (or, rather, sat on my bike) in awe as I realized that I rode the ground where farmers, coopers and silversmiths boarded boats in driving show, many without shoes and proper clothing, to close with and engage the enemy in order to create the freedom that you and I enjoy the today.

Okay, back to the ride. Donna, the woman I am blessed enough to be married to, cautioned me to ride within my limits. She knows that I'm riding anemic this year, and that my fitness and recovery aren't what they should be. But the past two days infused me with adrenaline, and I did suprising well on the big climbs and to start today. However, the end of today was a suffer-fest, and I limped into the finish far below my expectations. Still, I need to count my blessings as I see ladies who have only recently regrown their hair from chemo. I am in awe as I look at thrivers who have beaten cancer, and I am honored by the support given to me by my best friend, Donna, the best kids I have ever met, Peter, Abbey and Matthew, and all those who have genorously donated on my behalf to the Young Survivors Coalition.

I just looked up, and a bride and groom strode through the lobby of the Trenton Marriot. Wouldn't it be great if these young folks could grow in a world without cancer? Two years ago, I listened as the president of the Dana Farber Cancer Insitute told an audience that cancer researchers, thanks to the Human Genome Project, can see the path forward to a cure, and they see a cure within 20 years. Today, we are all challenged to help researchers find a cure and to help those afflicted today to find the support and treatment they need. Our ride, and your contributions, make this happen. I am truly humbled to be a part of this effort, and to receive your support.

Joe Foran

Friday, September 28, 2007

David Brouch rides in memory of Cathy Kroe

Greetings from the bike ride! It's finally here. I've trained hard all summer, you've all made very generous contributions and together we surpassed the fundraising goal. Now it's time to share with you the actual events/happenings along the way as I and nearly 100 other riders pedal over 200 miles from Chocolate World in Hershey, PA to the Hershey store in Times Square, NYC.

I would like to thank the Young Survival Coalition for organizing this awesome event, but more importantly for helping educate newly diagnosed young women, the medical and political communities as well as offer support to those who have survived and are thriving.

I would also like to thank the Hershey Company for sponsoring this fundraising bike ride. Hershey donated $300,000 to the cause, which makes me incredibly proud.

Additionally, I'd like to thank all of you who donated. I realize you all have many financial demands in your lives and yet you made a decision to donate your hard earned money to this worthy cause. Just as important were the uplifting comments many of you placed on my fundraising website or sent to me in an e-mail. The responses have been overwhelming and have often brought tears to my eyes. You are all terrific!!!

Finally, I'd like to thank my wife, Gretchen for her patience and moral support. While we tried to make my training have as little impact on our family as possible, there were times she probably wished I could just be done with the ride. I would also like to thank my mother who played a very big part in helping with the fundraising as well as providing ongoing inspiration and encouragement. She will be flying to NYC to cheer me and the other riders on as we enter Times Square on Monday.

Be sure to check out the blog daily to see what happened the day before on the ride. Also, be sure to watch us on Fox and Friends on Monday morning. I'll keep you posted on the actual time of our appearance.

God's blessings to you all!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Welcome

Welcome to the York Tour de Pink participant's blog. Riders and volunteers will be blogging about their this year's ride, posting photos and sharing the Tour de Pink experience.