Be a Hero...

Yes, it's good advice, but it also happens to be the slogan for the world's leading activity image capture company - GoPro, my new sponsor. A little background on the company for those of you who might not be familiar:

"GoPro produces the famous HERO® line of wearable and gear-mountable cameras and accessories, making it easy for people to capture and share their lives' most exciting moments. GoPro's products are sold through specialty retailers in over 40 countries and online.  No more missed footage because the camera was stuffed in the backpack or left in the car. Finally, get the shot that makes you look like a HERO...GoPro."

Basically, this company rocks.  They truly stepped up to the plate and donated an HD camera so that I may document my journey... therefore adding to the excitement and awareness of the trip by allowing everyone following my adventure to really be a part of it.

FURTHERMORE.... these guys donated a SECOND camera for us to raffle off!  Check it out:

HD Motorsports HERO

This camera retails for $299!  We will be conducting the raffle for $20 a ticket at our send off party at Zuffy's on Wednesday, July 21st at 7:30 PM.  Again, all proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen foundation.  Click here for more info on the party!

So needless to say, a huge thanks to GoPro.  Please check out their site and I better see you all Wednesday 7/21 at Zuffy's!  Bring your friends, an extra $20, and help support the cause.

THE 4th

My girlfriend and I have just come home from a weekend of family time with my sister, Kris, and her family, my father, my aunt and uncle (in from Mississippi), as well as my cousin's two children.  So to put that in numbers:  children-7; adults-7; dogs-2 (big dogs, too, no little yappers here!).

I tried to get a video interview with my sister, but the sound ended up way too low and you couldn't hear anything.  We will definitely try it again and get it dialed in for the next videos I will be posting, but there are a few "stills" below.  In our conversation, I talked with Kris about how and when she realized something was wrong.  I had never had a chance to ask before--so much going on at the beginning with doctors, surgery, hospital, etc.  This weekend we were finally able to sit down and talk.  The interview went something like this:

Daniel:
"Well, I've been meaning to ask you.  Did you do a self-check and feel a lump?  Or was it a doctor's visit and a mammogram that caught your cancer?"
Kris:

"I self-checked; I noticed something and went in to get it checked.  Initially, the doctor didn't think much of it, but ordered a mammogram to be sure." 

Some silence between us.

Kris:

"The mammogram was certain, though.  I had rarely done a self exam before this -- maybe a few times a year.  And I did not get my first mammogram until this one, when I was 41 years old.  I had no reason to suspect anything; I have none of the risk factors for getting cancer.  I have nursed 5 kids. I'm healthy.  I run.  We have no family history, on either side of the family."

Daniel:

"So looking back--do you believe that the self-check every month and for sure a mammogram before age 40 is a MUST?"

Kris:

"Absolutely.  I waited, and I should have gotten a mammogram much sooner.  It might not have changed the outcome of getting cancer, but the cancer might have been caught sooner, and my treatment might have been less harsh.  My cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, and if I had realized sooner, we might have been able to limit my treatment to just surgery.  My doctor told me that by the time you can feel a lump, it has been there for years.  A mammogram is the best way to see a lump as small and new as it can be, and catch it and treat it sooner."

So!!!!  For all of the women that might be reading this, the good advice from my sister would be to check yourself.  If you don't know how to do a self-exam, go to WebMD.com or the Komen web site - they both will show you how to do a thorough self-exam and tell you what to look for.

Everything that my sister told me was overwhelming.  I didn't know any of this until I asked, and I'm sure that the same is true for a lot of folks who have family and friends that have been affected by cancer. You may not have asked them how they knew, you may have been too scared to ask or too worried to listen. I understand.  I was both when I sat down with Kris and asked her to share.  I hope that our conversation might help others to be open to talking and therefore spreading awareness.

Be a fan on Facebook!

ATL to the Arctic

One goal down...

This past weekend was our first "send-off" party to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  The great news is that through this little soiree, we not only met but exceeded our goal of $5,000!  We had over 100 guests - friends, family, folks I'd never even met - all brought together in honor of my sister, my ride, and our cause.  It was an evening of catching up, reminiscing, laughter, and celebrating.   A lot of our guests hadn't had the opportunity to see Kris in person since being diagnosed, and it was really wonderful for them to show support and see her in good form even during this second round of chemo.

Our party was hosted by my brother Marcus and his wife Jackie, the proud new owners of The Velo Vineyard, our venue for the evening.  I can't begin to express my gratitude for everything that went into the planning and execution of this charity event.  Once again, I just want to thank all of those who have donated and continue to support and contribute.

Even since reaching our initial goal, I am incredibly proud, humbled, and honored that donations continue to come in.  Please, please, please continue to help us spread the word - through Facebook, Twitter, email, phone calls, smoke signals... you name it .  Any way of communicating our story and inspiring others is a blessing in and of itself.

The Guest of Honor and me

All the women in my life - Kris, BK, and my mother

This is not everything!?...

While this is a lot of stuff, I still have to pack some street clothes and make sure I have the right tools, spares, and camping gear.  I have been lucky enough to know some awesome folks who have donated some new gear for my journey.  My and Brooke's good friends B and H gave me a super nice new sleeping bag, and a customer from Peachtree Bikes helped me buy my new windscreen for the motorbike. Both items will go a long way to helping me stay comfortable and safe along the road to Alaska.

Another Monday

Updates, updates... Kris is in the second week of her second round of chemo, which hasn't been as harsh as the first go round.  This seems to be the "standard", I guess, from talking to friends that know someone who has been through the process (...and everyone I know seems to know someone).  Not that any of this is standard, but the first round seems to be the hardest and now this cycle, while once a week instead of every other week, is a bit easier to deal with.  I can't even imagine what it would be like.  Add to the chemo that all five kids are out of school now for the summer, and it'll make you tired just thinking about it. But my sister is strong.  She has to be, she grew up with three brothers - three tough brothers, with our oldest brother being the toughest.  And he was the one she looked up to.  She's always done a great job of holding her own.

As for my preparations for Alaska... they continue.  I do believe that all the final parts have been ordered and the "building" of the bike is almost complete. I will post pics soon of the final outcome and what each little part does to enhance my self-sustained, solo ride on a motor bike from Atlanta to Alaska and back.  As far as all of my other gear, such as spare parts, tools, food, camping equipment, cookware, two sets of riding gear (one for the rain , one for the heat), street clothes, a GPS,  the "SPOT"... all of it is necessary and required for this to be a successful and safe trip.

Some cool news is that Paulius at Blue Moon Cycle is organizing a ride for me on my leave date. We are trying to get a group to meet and ride together to the state line to give me a proper send off.  I'm looking forward to this for two reasons - one, with a big group, the likelihood of me being injured leaving Atlanta is decreased.  Unfortunately, riding a motorcycle in Atlanta is always a struggle due to extreme traffic, congestion, and crazy drivers.  Also, a group ride changes my first day's route from boring highway to fun back roads until I hit Alabama.  THEN it's boring highway, and haul butt across the country to try and reach the west.  Obviously, you can see the difference and of course can agree the benefits of having a group to see me off.

Once again, I want to thank all of my supporters, family, and friends for donating, giving advice, and staying positive.  Not only for my sister, but also for all of the other loved ones who have had to deal with the same weekly treatments to regain their "normal" everyday good times.

We will all fight for our lives at some point... but the fight is much easier when you're not alone.

Kids are funny

So I'm at my sisters house, visiting with her and helping transport the little folks all over the place. With five of them, it's constantly busy. This afternoon I was exhausted and decided to take a nap, so I figured I'd sneak off to the far end of the house to the master bedroom and lie down... when I heard the door open and the sound of little feet and a Nintendo DS beeping.  I looked up and one of my youngest nephews had a full Powerade drink and a Nintendo DS in his hands as he walked by and headed to the bathroom. He went in and shut the door. About 30 minutes later he came out, having drank half the Powerade, and was then on like level 15 or something on his DS.  Serious business.

Funniest thing I've witnessed all week.

Little kids are funny.