It's that time of year again....

Well, I bet ya'll thought I fell off the face of the earth, huh? Nonsense! I've just been taking a much-needed break and Dad has been doing fantastic so not much to rant about for a while. For those of you who don't know, Labor Day weekend 2016, I gave up my 20-year Northern Virginia local government career and almost 43 years of living in the Old Dominion for a slower-paced, laid back, life at the beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina! It's been four months now living in the Outer Banks and while it's been somewhat of an emotional roller coaster, it's still very surreal and I'm finally starting to settle down with the man of my dreams. I started working with Dare County government EMS this month and have 10 years to go before I can collect my full VA retirement. So for now, I'm going "back to basics" in North Carolina where I get paid less but I also have much less responsibility, stress and headaches! No, I'm not saving lives but I'm doing my best to make the lives of those who DO save lives a little more organized and efficient.

Enough about me though because, as I've always said, this passion of mine has never been about me. It's always been about Dad and it will continue to be about Dad. Since I last blogged, Dad has been continually improving and he and Mom have even visited me and Jason here in the OBX three times. Dad got to go fishing, golfing, walk on the beach and eat real seafood for the first time again in two years! Simple pleasures are appreciated so much more when you don't think you'll ever experience them again.

During my four-month hiatus without a job and living on this little sandbar of mine, I had more than enough time to think and think and then think some more. I came to the conclusion that after two years of extremely successful and almost miraculous fundraising events, I have decided to take a step back. What most of you do not know is the amount of literal blood, sweat and tears that I put into each one of those Denny's Shotgun Riders April fundraisers. It was worth every single second but my body took a beating after both of them and most harshly after the 2016 one. In fact, there are still residual effects that I continue to manage with the support of doctors two hours away. Of course, none of that compares to the nightmares and struggles of my father and other prostate cancer warriors. However, part of the reason for moving to the Outer Banks was to get a hold of my life before it got any more out of control and take a moment to breathe. Life is too short. Lick the spoon!

So, with that said, I will not be holding my annual fundraiser this year. Denny's Shotgun Riders will also not be present as a team at the June 18 Father's Day DC ZERO Run/Walk this year. That does NOT mean I am stepping away from my fight to bring awareness to prostate cancer and putting an end to this wretched disease though. It just means I'm doing it in a different way and I am still asking for and depending on your support. Don't worry, I'm still bat shit passionate!

This year, my family and I will be members of Team Nikituk and are raising money to still support the amazing work of ZERO but through these fabulous ladies. Momma Nikituk and her daughters, Tara and Meg, have been tirelessly fighting as part of ZERO for the last 10 years when they lost their husband/father, Paul, to prostate cancer 14 months after he was diagnosed. These ladies are some of the strongest, determined and dedicated women I have ever met and although I didn't get the pleasure of meeting Paul, I feel his presence when I am around them and know without a doubt how proud he is of them.

You may recall my mentioning of how honored I was to stand next to them at both of the ZERO races that I attended and storming Capitol Hill with them in February 2016. As we have proven year after year, this isn't a competition on who can raise the most money. It isn't about your name at the top of the fundraiser list or the little award that you get on race day. It's about bringing awareness to this disease who took Paul away from his family and who has tried for almost 21 years to take my father away from me and my mom.  The Nikituks and I continue to support each other and help raise each other up.

I know of no better way to carry on the work of Denny's Shotgun Riders this year than to join Team Nikituk. While they will take the reigns, I'll keep poking, prodding, reminding and begging all of you to donate again this year from the OBX! If you are in the DMV and want to join Team Nikituk and walk/run on Father's Day, please do so! At the least, I implore you to please donate this year and help us continue to do all we can to put an end to prostate cancer. No donation is too big or too small.

Please click the link below to make a donation online through my personal page to Team Nikituk. 
http://zero.convio.net/site/TR/RunWalk/RunWalk17?px=1102458&pg=personal&fr_id=1271

You can still make your donation in honor my dad as you would if I was leading his team this year; it will just be as a member of Team Nikituk.  I know that the Nikituk ladies plan to hold various fundraisers at restaurants as they did last year and as soon as those are nailed down, I'll be sure to let you know. You may even see a random auction item here or there from me too!

Thank you again for all of your past support and I know we can count on you again this year! Meanwhile, I'll keep walking around the OBX sporting my ZERO attire spreading the word about how important PSA tests are and striving for that one number - ZERO!