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What else is there to do on a cold windy Saturday? Pedal to fight cancer, that's what!

As many of you know, I began training (pedaling) every Saturday to ride around Lake Tahoe on June 7. This started February 1st with a 12 mile ride around a park. Whew! Not a great kick-off in the weather department! Sure, some nice people to meet but come on - it's 30 something, windy and it's snowing for pete's sake!

Since that first Saturday, nearly every Saturday has had that combination of weather plus a few other elements that caused a little tiff between mother nature and I (especially since most weekdays were 60-80 and then Saturday would hit and BIG temperature and weather shift). We're back on speaking terms since I figured she was going to do what she darn well wanted to do. I have the ability and choice to ride and people fighting blood cancers don't.

My wonderful group of new pedaling friends and I completed 85 miles yesterday. We battled the elements and distance in memory of Greg and Courney Culligan's fathers (they're a married couple who both lost their fathers to leukemia) and I rode in honor of Jane Van Oss: an elementary teacher in the Hamilton, Michigan school district (my sister's colleague) who was recently diagnosed. One more to add to my "list." What a list to have. Cancer sucks. I'm grateful for my health and for the ability to help.

With just two weeks to complete fund-raising, I'm calling out to everyone to forward my request of a donation to 5-10 people. I'm available any time to talk about the program or answer questions.

A special call out to James Earl Frye who I am riding in memory of. Father to a dear dear friend Dale. In memory of Gary DeBoer, a colleague who left behind two sons and a wife. In HONOR of Sarah Watkins! A teacher in the Zeeland, Michigan school district who became my hero in '01 and still is! And of course in honor of Jane Van Oss. Additional honorees: Dale Aggen (my fund-raising mentor, fellow cyclist, and survivor), Mark Williams (my mentee, fellow cyclist and survisor) and last but not least: Leanne Weinshenker (pictured). I've posted her amazing and heartbreaking survival story in the past. If you would like to read it again, email me and I'll send it. I ride also in your honor Leanne!

LLS has set a date to have found a cure for blood cancers by 2015. Unheard of by most organizations. They put 75% of monies raised towards research and patients and their families. The most of any health organization.

If you can help send out my request: THANK YOU! If you cannot donate or are not comfortable forwarding this: I understand. I am grateful as ever for the time and consideration you've given already!

Stay tuned for more updates! I'll post some pictures of Saturday's ride on my Facebook page.

Thanks as always for reading! : ] Polly