It is now crunch time as I prepare for my 100 mile bike ride to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It has only been 4 short months since I signed up to become a cyclist and help fundraise for LLS, and our grand finale is only 11 days away. On September 17th, I hope to say I have successfully completed the 100 mile bike ride in Moab, Utah, and raised over $2500 to help beat cancer.

We have completed 16 team training rides and I have already raised $2,000 for LLS. I know I can now complete the 100 mile ride, but it is up to you if I can raise the final $500.

When I first signed up, I thought both goals were rather lofty. I hadn’t ever ridden a road bicycle and I had never attempted to raise that much money for a charity. But my health and this cause are important enough to me that I just went for it.

The health benefits for me have been fantastic. After the first team ride, I felt weak and nauseous and it was only about 12 miles. But with the help of my teammates and coach, I have steadily progressed to the point of being able to complete a much more difficult 85 mile ride -- and I felt good doing it.

To get to $2,000, it has also been just a steady progression. Some of the money came from family members that knew my dad and know that is the main reason I am riding. He fought Leukemia from June 2006 until his passing in October 2007. But other money came from people that had their own experiences with family members that have battled Leukemia or other forms of cancer.

Today, I am asking you to please consider making a donation to this cause. LLS is a valuable resource for patients and families and they also fund a ton of research for the fight against blood cancers.  Whether you can donate $10 or $100, each donation will make a difference in beating cancer.

But I also just want to hear from you about your personal connection to cancer. If you have a loved one that fought cancer, I want to hear about it. Each story you tell is just another bit of motivation for me. I plan on taking all the names and stories I get with me to Moab for inspiration on the day of the ride.

-Patrick