Next step was to create my team “Denny’s Shotgun Riders” and I immediately recruited my three favorite people. It still wasn't enough for me, though. The same evening in January that I first started fundraising, I also reached out to a good friend of mine who owns a local restaurant and wine bar to inquire about holding a fundraiser at his place of business in honor of my dad and to support my team. Within a week’s time, I had the fundraiser date scheduled, this blog created, and items donated for my silent auction and raffles from local businesses were quickly rolling in! To my delight, as of today, I have exceeded the $3,000 mark in funds and it continues to rise! I'm not satisfied though. I'm not finished. There's still so much work to be done.
Why was finding ZERO so important to me? For years, I had wanted to conduct or participate in a “walk” in honor of my dad and to bring awareness to prostate cancer. For some reason or another, it just never came to fruition. This was my sign. ZERO is what I had been looking for. Everything happens for a reason and in its own time.
Just as Dad's prostate cancer unexpectedly resurfaced and spread like wildfire, so did my relationship with ZERO. Every day I am overwhelmed with their support and generosity. I am part of this incredible non-profit family now and there's no turning back. From providing me with items to include in the fundraiser gift bags to surprising me with a special Zero necklace to wanting to come to the fundraiser to show their support, my heart just continues to be full.
This week, I was humbled beyond belief and brought to tears of joy when the official press release for the 8th Annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk of the Capital Area was released to all media outlets. Why, you ask? Well, keep reading.... the press release speaks for itself.
EIGHTH ANNUAL
ZERO PROSTATE CANCER RUN/WALK RETURNS
TO THE
CAPITAL AREA ON FATHER’S DAY
RUN/WALK
EVENT FEATURES PERFORMANCE FROM NASHVILLE RECORDING ARTIST JIMMY CHARLES
Washington,
DC – Join ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21 in
Arlington, VA as we race to the finish for the Eighth Annual ZERO Prostate
Cancer Run/Walk – Capital Area. The 4 mile run/walk is a part of ZERO’s annual
Run/Walk series, which raises awareness and funds to end prostate cancer. This
year, ZERO will bring the series to nearly 40 cities nationwide.
“Our
family-friendly Run/Walk series invites our local partner network – which
includes doctor offices, local charities, and corporate sponsors – to come
together and help us take a huge step in the fight to create Generation ZERO –
the first generation of men free from prostate cancer,” ZERO CEO Jamie Bearse
said. “This series is a great chance for men, women, children, and families of
all ages to increase awareness and raise funds to end a disease that affects
one in seven fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, grandfathers, partners, and
friends.”
New
in 2015, Nashville recording artist and Baltimore local Jimmy Charles will be
in attendance to perform his new song “Superman,” an anthem dedicated to cancer
patients and survivors. The family-friendly event will also feature an after
party with awards, food, and fun for the whole family.
In
2014 we added two exciting programs to the Run/Walk series, including the Kids
Superhero Dash for Dad. Kids ages nine and under can take part in the Dash,
where they will participate on race day in a short dash and at the finish line receive
superhero capes. Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero to
remind their heroes – Dad, Grandpa and other male role models – to take charge
and remain invested in their health. Also back for the second year is the
Snooze For Dudes program for those who are unable to participate on race day
but would still like to help end prostate cancer by raising awareness and
funds.
The
Run/Walk series brings our passion for making prostate cancer a national
priority to local communities, encouraging those who wish to have a voice to
raise awareness and speak out about the disease. For local resident Valerie
Moore, the cause is personal. Val’s father, a Vietnam Veteran, was diagnosed
with prostate cancer at age 47, and over the 19 years his cancer has been
treated and returned five times. Each time he has fought with a vengeance, and
after his most recent recurrence - when they discovered that his cancer had
spread to the bone - Val decided to bring her dream of raising funds and
awareness to fruition by participating in ZERO’s Run/Walk. To-date, she has
exceeded her fundraising goal and is hosting a fundraiser at the end of the
month to help raise additional funds for the cause, which is so close to her
heart.
“As
much as I would like to, I can’t make my dad’s cancer go away. I can’t go
through this for him, but I can do my best to love and support him while arming
myself with as much knowledge as I can, in order to make his life as happy and
normal as possible,” said Moore. “Raising money for ZERO has allowed me to do
my part to help men like my dad and families like ours battle this disease. I
have far exceeded my fundraising expectations, but I’m not stopping here – this
is just the beginning.”
For
more information, visit www.zeroprostatecancerrun.org/dc.
About ZERO — The End of Prostate Cancer (www.zerocancer.org)
ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer is a national nonprofit
organization with the mission to end prostate cancer. As a leader in the fight
against prostate cancer, ZERO advances research, encourages action, and
provides education and support to men and their families. ZERO's premier
programs include the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk, the largest men's health
event series in America. We are a 501c3 charity recognized with four stars by
Charity Navigator, a Better Business Bureau member, and 98 cents of every
dollar donated goes to research and programs. For more information, visit www.zerocancer.org.
***
Dad read the press release and replied, "Wow you're famous."
The last thing this is about is me.
I am just willing and devoted to using my resources, my mind and my heart to get the word out there.
This isn't about me. This isn't about my name being on a press release.
This is about bringing awareness to prostate cancer and all the men who have been affected, who are battling, who have died, who haven't been diagnosed yet.
This is about raising money for a cure. This is about one number - zero.
This is about putting an end to prostate cancer.
This is about - and for - you, Dad!
I was driving to work yesterday and heard one of my favorite artists, Matthew West, singing his song, "Do Something". It's not the first time I've heard it but it is the first time it's affected me so deeply. As I was singing along, I heard these particular lyrics and they moved in a way they never had before:
"So, I shook my fist at Heaven and said "God, why don't you do something?"
He said, "I did, I created you!"
If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it's time for us to do something.
If not now, then when
Will we see an end to all this pain
It's not enough to do nothing.
It's time for us to do something."
It's time to do something!! I feel as if I finally am doing something with Dad as my driving force and ZERO as my vehicle! It will never be enough but it sure is better than nothing!
Please join me as a Denny's Shotgun Rider in the fight to end prostate cancer!
It's time for us to DO SOMETHING!!
Two weeks yesterday is the fundraiser and I'd love to see you there!
Donations are still graciously accepted on my ZERO site as well.
I thank all the wonderful people at ZERO for all of their hard work and for allowing me to be a part of their family!
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