Last Day for Fundraising!

First off, a big hug and kiss to everybody who joined in our birthday celebration. It was a lot of fun and thank you for coming down! I have pictures, which I will be posting...

Tomorrow is the last day for LAF fundraising! I can't believe that this date has come so soon. Of course I am thrilled to have met and exceeded my goal, and thank you all so much for your help.

I am going on vacation (first one in a long time) and will be back in about a week with the grand fundraising total, updates and more pictures, so please come back for another visit soon.

Fundraising days remaining: 1
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Raised to date: $21,555

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Thank you, thank you.

Tomorrow, We Celebrate

We will be celebrating some birthdays tomorrow, so if you are in NYC, please contact me if you would like to join us: mail [at] jodisax [dot] com.

Fundraising days remaining: 3
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Raised to date: $21,455

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Thank you, thank you.

I am so very sad

If you have seen the LAF poster with Lance and a woman cancer survivor that reads "One of us has won the Tour de France, both of us are Champions" you might have known about Lori Tilton. I learned of her story some time ago and visited her site periodically to read her updates. I checked in the other day to see that Lori lost her battle with breast cancer last week.

I did not know Lori, but I had been following her story for some time, and am deeply saddened by this news. She was a very dedicated LAF fundraiser and cyclist. Her husband is continuing her site, and her fundraising efforts are continuing in her memory.

If you would like to visit Lori's site and read her story, you can do so here.

Thanks to so many of you, I have now met my fundraising goals. Perhaps if you would like to donate to LAF you might consider donating in Lori's memory on her site.

Reason #2 in Action

And of course by this I'm referring to my Top 10 Reasons Why I Like Biking list, below. Free Stuff from Crystal, my dear friend who has tirelessly assisted me and cheered me on on my $20,000 fundraising quest. She is always sending me wonderful biking-related treats in the mail!

Here is Crystal's latest offering, as a congratulatory gift for reaching the mark. More pink bike stuff, yippee!(Serves well to distinguish ourselves from the Lance-Abees in Austin. More on that later...)






And yes, in case you were wondering, it is really, really difficult to take pictures of socks on yourself.

Thank you, Crystal! :)

Fundraising days remaining: 7
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Raised to date: $21,080

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Thank you, thank you.

You Think You Know, But You Have No Idea...

"You have never lived until you have almost died, and for those who fight it, life has a flavor the protected will never know."

Fundraising days remaining: 9
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Raised to date: $20,305

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Thank you, thank you.

An Update on an Update

I just wanted to let everyone know that I *do* intend to keep updating the blog, even though the fundraising is winding down. So please keep visiting!

Thanks again to each and every one of you and your families who helped me reach my goal. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of friends, strangers and (most of) my family.

More soon.

And in the Yellow Jersey...

Is me! Thanks to some very kind friends, I reached my $20,000 fundraising goal yesterday. I am thrilled, as I have been working on this fundraising project since November, and it has been very difficult. But, as a wise woman once said to me "anything that's worthwhile in life is difficult, honey." So true, so true.

Thank you all so very much for your donations and your support. Obviously I would not have been able to reach this important goal without each and every one of you.

lots of love,
Jodi

Fundraising days remaining: 11
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Raised to date: $20,270!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Thank you, thank you.

The Race is On

Wow, only $70 more to go.

Fundraising days remaining: 12
Raised to date: $19,930
Amount to reach goal: $70

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Thank you, thank you.

Jodi's Top 10 version 1.0

Top 10 Reasons Why I'm Liking Biking
(despite the fact that I deplore exercise):

10. It doesn't make my boobs flop around

9. It makes me exercise twice as long because once I ride there I must ride back (though admittedly I've cheated and taken the subway a few times)

8. SPEEEEEEED

7. I'm improving really quickly and am even able to pass people on the bike path now (this is very important since I'm the most competitive person in the world. :)

6. I'm actually feeling a lot better since I started biking

5. It's fun so I look forward to it and it doesn't really seem like exercise

4. I'm getting to parts of the city I've never seen before

3. It's making my butt more perky

2. I now get free bike stuff from Crystal

1. It gives me something to write (and think) about besides cancer!


Fundraising days remaining: 14
Raised to date: $19,880
Amount to reach goal: $120

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE and you could be the lucky person who puts me at my $20,000 goal! What more direct path to good karma is there? :)

Thank you, thank you.

The Meaning of Birthdays

So, my Cancer Friend Jen (she doesn't mind that I call her that; she calls me
that too) has suggested that we have a joint party to celebrate our upcoming 35ish birthdays. I'm somewhat ambivalent about this. Partly because I hate celebrating my birthday, and partly because I have been hounding my friends so relentlessly for money for LAF, that I'm scared that they won't want to come to any party of mine, for fear that I will scowl at them and ask where their donation is (I won't, I promise!).

Today I was at the doctor's office waiting and, as I'm known to do, reading my chart. It is one of life's more humbling experiences to see a doctor's notes about your own imminent demise (inoperable, terminal cancer.) Well, that doctor was proven to be incorrect in his assessment, but it is still a bit jarring to read that stuff, even though I've seen different versions of it before. My point is, I'm thinking it's probably a good thing to celebrate being alive. So, it looks like the birthday party's a go.

And wow, more donations today from friends I don't even know! All that and a clean bill of health. Today is a good day.

Fundraising days remaining: 15
Raised to date: $19,755 (thank you kind new friends in MI and NC!)
Amount to reach goal: $245

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE Thank you for supporting cancer survivorship!

Oops and Yay

My website, lawgirl.com, which features a link to this blog, is featured on the LAF Peloton Project newsletter page this month, so I probably should shut my mouth about the yellow bands, at least for now. ;)

In good news, my CT came back clear. Yippee. Happily it appears as though I have dodged the bullet for another three months (at least that's how it always feels.) Tomorrow I have to call about my blood test and hope that that will be good news too. Is this kind of thing of any interest to somebody reading a blog? I should probably go back to ranting about Lance and my bike, no?

And in really, really good news, I am so close to reaching my fundraising goal! This is getting exciting. I knew (or hoped) I would reach the goal, being the tenacious sort that I am. What I didn't count on was how incredibly difficult it would be to do so. There are several thousand Peloton Project members (last year I think there were 6,500) and so far only 13 people have reached "yellow jersey" status (i.e., over $20,000 raised.) In the next day or so with any luck there will be 14 (me. Woohoo.)

I am especially thankful for all of your support. Donate now and you could be the person who puts me over the top!

Fundraising days remaining: 16
Raised to date: $19,655
Amount to reach goal: $345 (so close!)

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE Thank you for supporting cancer survivorship!

More-on Yellow Band-o-Mania

I am of course thrilled that the current LIVESTRONG yellow band craze that is sweeping the nation is raising a lot of money for LAF. However, from my perspective, it is clear that things have gone terribly out of control when the yellow band is spotted on the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Britney's future ex-husband #2 (sorry) and NOT on a single person at a major cancer center in a major city (where I was keeping score for the better part of the whole day today.)

Only a few weeks ago my "cancer friends" and I proudly sported the yellow band as a badge of honor. I am upset now that all these Teen People Lance-abees are co-opting a symbol of cancer pride and now we have to go find a new one. How did things go so wrong so quickly?

On the Yellow Band:

"We welcome any alternative to the Kabbalah bracelet..." - British Vogue

"I was going to buy one as part of my wardrobe for my experiment as dressing up and acting like an Abercrombie kid at a party where I didn't know anyone to see if it worked to get chicks. Those things are quintessential preppie flair..." - Random Kid on Bam Margera Message Board (don't ask.)

"Who knew a yellow rubber band would become this summer's Murikami Bag?" - Me

First the Buddhist beads, then the red string, and now this. Another well-intended statement usurped and spoiled by trendsters. Sigh. I'm so sad.

On a happy note, I want to acknowledge the lovely people (many of whom I don't even know) who have donated so generously to me today (and every day). You all have warmed my heart and really renewed my faith in the goodness of people. So to my wonderful brother and my friends in Boulder and New Orleans, my most sincere thanks and love.

Fundraising days remaining: 17
Raised to date: $19,455
Amount to reach goal: $545 (wow!)

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE Thank you for supporting cancer survivorship!

Speechless

I got an email from Crystal this morning asking where my update was. I'm still here, I've just been busy with life, and haven't had much of interest to report. I haven't decided whether that's a good thing or not.

Oh wait, I did have a small collision yesterday with a park bench as I was trying to get some water out of my basket while navigating on a small-ish path. Fortunately, we both survived intact, though I'm expecting a large bruise to develop any time now where my handlebar impaled my abdomen. I couldn't help but feeling like I was performing a shopping cart crash on Jackass as I saw this coming. Have I been watching too much TV?

The fundraising days are winding down and I'm inching toward my goal... I thank you all for your continued support and really hope that I make it. It's going to be close, so please help if you can!

Fundraising days remaining: 18
Raised to date: $18,590
Amount to reach goal: $1,410

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE Thank you!

Word on the USPS (featuring an interview with my mailman, George)

With all the hoopla surrounding Lance and the USPS team, I started thinking. I'm pretty sure I may be the only person who stays awake at night thinking about things like this (well, since they dumped the team, somebody else must have been thinking about this too)... But isn't the USPS part of the government? Why would the government sponsor a bike team? I was pondering this for a few days, and even got some misinformation ("the USPS is a government contractor, not part of the government.") I was fairly certain that that was wrong. So, I decided to go straight to the source.

Jodi: Hi George! Do you mind if I ask you something?
George: No, not at all.
J: The USPS is part of the federal government, right?
G: Yes. I'm a federal employee.
J: Right, but I mean the Postal Service, that's the government, not a contractor?
G: Correct, but we are self-supporting.
J: What does that mean?
G: It means we are supported by the sale of stamps, we don't get money from taxes.
J: Oh, interesting. Ok, I have one more question. If the USPS is part of the government, what benefit to them is there in sponsoring a bicycle team?
G: Well, it gives exposure. You know, there is no competition for stamps, but for other services, like overnight and packages, there are other services, like FedEx and UPS.
J: I see! This all makes sense to me know. Thanks so much, George.
G: You're welcome!

So, there you have it.

By the way, my mailman George has worked for the USPS for over thirty years and is eligible to retire, but is not interested yet, because he likes his job so much.

Fundraising days remaining: 21
Raised to date: $18,490
Amount to reach goal: $1,510

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE Thank you!

A Fine Time for a Non Sequitur

Today was CT Scan day. I always cry when I lie on that table. Now, the waiting...

So, I realized that the picture of my bike previously posted has now found its way into the archived posts (which you can still read, over on the right -->). But this means it's time to post a new bike picture. And yes, this is the bike I intend to be peddling on my ride with Lance in October. Is there a problem with that?



Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to friends new and old who have contributed to my fundraising. As you can see, it is really picking up and I am close to my goal. I truly feel blessed.

Fundraising days remaining: 22
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Raised to date: $18,400
Amount to reach goal: $1,600

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE Thank you!

Cancer Math

The Breakfast Club + The Fight Club = The Cancer Club?

I often refer to my network of young adult cancer survivor friends as my "cancer friends" and collectively as the "Cancer Club." My friend Jen says it reminds her of the Breakfast Club ("Demented and Sad but Social!").

The Cancer Club oddly makes me recall the dot.com 90s in San Francisco, when at parties, nobody would be introduced by their name, they would be introduced by their URLs. In the Cancer Club, we get introduced by our disease. We really run the gamut. Brain tumors, lymphoma, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, leukemia, oh yeah, and colon cancer. I know I've forgotten a few others as well.





I love my cancer friends. I've been to battle with these people. Really not the Breakfast Club. The Fight Club is a much more apt description.

Fundraising days remaining: 23
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Raised to date: $17,630
Amount to reach goal: $2,370

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE Thank you!

Old Friends

Since I've sent out a flurry of letters about my fundraising in the last few weeks (if you're reading this, no doubt you were a recipient), I have been hearing from a lot of old friends whom I haven't spoken to in ages. It is really wonderful to catch up after such a long time. I feel bad that my first communication to people I haven't spoken to in a long time is a letter telling them that I had cancer (and then asking them for money!).

It's great to hear from old friends, but it also makes me a little sad and reflective. So many of my old friends are now married, with families, reaching the pinnacle of their career track. They are doing what you are supposed to be doing in your thirties. Having cancer isn't what you're supposed to be doing in your thirties.

I guess I've never been one to follow the "normal" path, so this is really no different. In addition, I have grown to know and love so many people *with* cancer as a result of this journey, that having had cancer seems normal to me now. I guess everyone has their own normal.

On a lighter note, the donations are continuing to come in, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I still am getting a few anonymous donation, donations from people I don't know very well, and donations from people whom I haven't seen in ages. These are particularly special to me in the completely selfless nature of the gift. I thank you all so much!

Fundraising days remaining: 25
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Raised to date: $17,025
Amount to reach goal: $2,975

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE Thank you!

The Yellow Bands

These are the most coveted fashion items of the summer! Who knew that a yellow rubber band would become this year's Murakami bag? Today at the LAF booth at the NYC Cycling Championships, the supply of yellow bands was sold out within the first few hours. I stopped by for a little while, and literally hundreds of people came by asking for the yellow bands.



I have a few yellow bands left in my personal stash. For the price of a donation, they could be yours. :) You can donate below, and then contact me for your reward (yellowband @ jodisax.com).

Fundraising days remaining: 26
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Raised to date: $16,635 (Thank you Jaclyn, you are a doll)
Amount to reach goal: $3,365

Donate here and I'll send you a LIVESTRONG yellow bracelet!
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE