This is in from Pat Engleman who writes:

I am writing to let you know how much I think that cancer sucks and what I want to do about it. It happens way too often that people get the dreaded phone call from the doctor that says…”I think we found something.” It seems as though every story stars with that call. It has happened too many times in my life to too many of those that I care about. I could not believe the phone call from my mother when she told me that my dad had cancer.

I could not imagine one of my loved ones going through this again. I just flashed back to all of the time in the hospital, the sickness, the depression, and all of the other side effects of cancer and what it can do to someone. I wanted to do what ever I could to prevent this disease and provide for those that it strikes. In August, I rode in the Philadelphia LiveStrong challenge. I rode as hard as I could, but I feel like I left something out on that course because I did not achieve my goals. I had to cut my ride short, and I was bummed about it because I did not hold up my end of the bargain.

While recovering the next day, I thought about how empowered I was by the survivors riding, the cheering folks on the side of the road, and all of the amazing people I met and stories I heard. I knew I wanted to do more and I decided to sign up for the Livestrong Austin ride.

I have to admit that I like riding my bike, and that part of this is fun for me, but what I really want to do is spread what the livestrong folks are doing for folks with cancer. The livestrong foundation supports everyone that is affected by cancer. Anyone can call at any time for help with any of the following:

LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare is for any person affected by cancer. At any point in your cancer experience, we provide free, confidential, one-on-one support with:

Counseling and local resources:

• Coping emotionally with my cancer or with a friend/family member who has cancer
• Joining a telephone or on-line support group
• Identifying bereavement resources/dealing with the loss of someone to cancer

Financial, insurance, and job concerns:

• Learning about resources for financial assistance
• Handling debt and financial management issues as they pertain to your diagnosis
• Getting access to medical treatments and medical devices
• Assistance for uninsured or underinsured
• Assistance with insurance denials/appeals
• Handling employment discrimination/retention issues
• Applying for federal/state programs such as Medicaid, Social Security, Disability, etc.

New treatments in development:

• Learn about your clinical trial options

Discussing your cancer:

• Learning more about my diagnosis
• Learning more about preserving my fertility
• Learning more about cancer in general
• Learning more about cancer symptoms and treating side effects (fatigue, nausea & vomiting, loss of taste, loss of hair )
• Learning how to communicate better with my doctor, spouse, family or loved ones

To do this, they need to raise money and that is where you come in. I am asking for your help in raising money to help fight cancer and support the livestrong foundation. You can do so by clicking on the link below and making a donation to honor, memorialize, or support one of your loved ones. In return, for every $5 you donate,

I am going to enter your name for a chance to win either an Specialized S-works helmet (your size and color) or a $100 RELoad Bags gift certificate. These are two companies that I support and feel really understand the socially conciuos, environmnetally friendly, and emphatatic lifetsyle that I choose to lead and I enjoy supporting them.

Please donate anything you can, but remember that for every $5, you get a chance to win these really cool products! Even if you are not a cyclist, you would be happy with one of these prizes.

Thanks,

Pat

Help Pat fight cancer.He’s riding 100 miles in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. You can do so by clicking on this link. Thanks so much.