This is the 5th year I am participating in Cycle for Survival and the 4th year we will have an eight person Erica Finds team. Here are my recaps from 2013, 2014 and 2015.
To step back a bit, I will tell you about about Cycle for Survival, why I participate and encourage others to, as well. I remember reading an article about Jennifer Goodman Linn in 2008 or 2009 when the ride was being promoted. She was a lot like me when she discovered she had a rare cancer in 2004. She was a woman in her 30s living in NYC, married and making her way in the business world. At age 33, she was diagnosed with a rare cancer, called sarcoma. She was given a 50/50 chance of survival. She was encouraged and lifted up by her friends and especially people the she worked out with. I could relate to that!
Jennifer Linn founded Cycle for Survival in 2007 with Equinox gym in New York City. It was a grass-roots program inspired by her love for cycling and the encouragement she found among her gym buddies. Today, thousands of cyclists team up each year with friends, family and coworkers to ride against cancer. And the event has grown from 1 location and $250,000 raised to over $85 million and dozens of rides through today.
So why do I participate? Everyone is touched by cancer and “rare cancers” are not so rare. Did you know that 50% of all diagnosed cancers are considered rare? Rare cancers include brain, pancreatic, cervical, sarcoma, stomach, pediatric cancers and many others. 100% of money raised goes to Memorial Sloan Kettering. More than $85 million has been raised to date, directly funding clinical trials and research studies that bring new hope to countless lives touched by rare cancers. That is reason enough. Another reason I ride and raise money for this event is to honor the spirit and fearlessness of Jennifer Linn. Her company was called “You Fearless.” She was dealt a bad hand and she took every measure to win. People always tell me that I would do that same in her situation. I hope that I never have to find out, but I am not sure how true it is. I hope so, too. Jennifer Linn lost her battle to cancer in July of 2011. She was 40 year old. Her legacy lives on with these amazing events and all of the lives she touched. Read this post by her husband, David Linn, from the Huffington Post and watch her video. (Warning: have a Kleenex handy!)
Like last year, I am adding a raffle to my fundraising this year. Why? Why not? Plus, I love to give things away and I have a backlog of awesome things to giveaway! A win-win.
The Prizes:
1. Gargoyle Stakeout Sunglasses ($140 retail value) –Winner Deb G. They say, “Stakeout’s low profile temple and deeper lens shape make tough and dependable smooth and easy. The lenses wrap to extend the protection around your eyes and provide clear peripheral vision, something you might not even notice until it comes in handy. It’s easy to wear Stakeout sunglasses no matter how long the day gets, because the semi-rimless shape and super thin lens make for a nearly weightless effect. Adding to the comfort are co-injected temple grips and rubber nosepads.”
2. RuMe Bags Prize Pack ($50 value) – Winner Kathy J. These bags are awesome for travel and at home organization. I love them for my toiletries, snacks and to carry whatever I buy on the go!
3. FEED Guatemala Tote Bag – Winner Libbie Vibrant and colorful, this eye-catching cotton tote will add cultural flair to any look. Each FEED Guatemala Bag is handcrafted with traditional Ikat fabrics and provides 15 school meals. Open top with an inside open pocket. Organic cotton and natural burlap lining. 12″W X 12″H X 5″D
4. Kate Spade “Mini Pouch” with Sand Piper pattern Winner Alicia H.($78 – similar) – This adorable pouch (6.5 in by 4.5 in) is perfect for storing things in your purse or diaper bag. Great for travel.
5. Runner Pack – X-1 headphones, CEP No Show Socks (III) and Run Gum Trio ($36 current retail value)
As an alternate, I will offer a health food gift pack, a $50 Amazon gift card or runner goodies gift pack with items of $30+ value as I realize that these prizes are targeted to females and/or runners.
I will add bonus prizes if our team reaches $5,000 – we are over $3,300 now!
Bonus Prize!
We hit $5,000 (currently $5,444) so I am offering:
6. Either a $100 Amex Gift Card OR Winner – Tom and Ruth-Anne R.
7. A $100 Banana Republic Gift Card. If we hit $10,000, I will give away both!
HOW TO ENTER a/k/a THE RULES:
1. Donate $10 or more to Cycle for Survival. It is a 501(c)3 organization so your donation is tax deductible!
2. For every $10 you donate, you will receive one entry into the raffle. ($50=5 entries and so on) I will keep a tally with each donation in order of the notification of receipt. If you have already donated this year, you are on the list! If you donate to one of my teammates or to the team in general, you also get one entry for every $10. Just leave a comment and tell me that you donated and to whom.
3. Please leave a comment on this post when you donate, so that I can add you to the list!
4. All tapped out at the moment, have other commitments or don’t want to donate, but still want an entry? Leave me a comment with some encouragement for the team/for my event! (ooh and please “like” my Facebook Page, if you have not already!)
5. Want extra chances? Please share this post on FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or email (and leave a comment telling me you did and where). One entry per share!
6. I will pick the winners with Random Number Generator at the end of the day on Sunday, February 21st and announce them when the winners have been notified.
7. Entrants must be in the US or have a US postal intermediary, over 18 and void where prohibited.
8. One prize per winner. Winner selects prize in order of draw.
Please consider supporting Cycle for Survival and remember that you have to be “in it to win it”!
Please note: These prizes were furnished by me. I won some in other giveaways and some were purchased by me. Cycle for Survival is not affiliated with this raffle.