My Nonprofit Reviews

Dear my family and friends that made a difference in the global fight against cancer: On behalf of myself and the 12 million Americans living with cancer, I thank you for your generous donation. The money you gave helped me reach my goal and will help further the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s mission of inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer. Your donation along with all those that responded to my e-mail to in the end raise $1,300.00 will provides information packets to offer support, inspiration and hope to the cancer patient and his or her family. In addition, cancer survivorship information and worksheets to organize the patient's fight against cancer. Moreover, a cancer survivor one-on-one direct support through the LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare program, and LIVESTRONG Survivorship Notebooks. As a whole raising $1310.00 far surpassing my original goal of $750.00 is an incredible about of money that will mean a world to all the people that will benefit from this money. In terms of the event itself it was an experience that I will not soon forget, because of how much more it was than just simply a bike race. The weather was calm and cool at the start, and in the afternoon heated up to the high 80's. When I took the line I did not know if I would have the power, strength, and determination to go the century, but what I did know was I was out with the City of San Jose to support a great cause and to honor and ride for my Grandma (Bonnie Zillgitt) and my beloved biology teacher Mrs. Acquistapace. For the first nine miles of the race the entire field was escorted by the San Jose Police Department at a speed of 20 miles per hour. I quickly got out hard and rode well and with the lead pack. Slowly I settled into the middle and took the last stop before I would have to make the decision of going 65 miles or 100 miles. The rest stop which were ever 10-15 miles along side the course was where cyclists could go to the bathroom, have a powerbar, fruit, trailmix, gummy bars, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The stops were vitally important and the volunteers and supporters at the stops and in general were incredible, a huge shout out and hats off to them for making the event run so smoothly and in great spirits and excitement. As I approached the 65 miles to the left or 100 miles straight ahead I told myself that I was ready for the 100 miles and thought about who I was riding for, and why I was out here and chose the path less traveled which was the 100 mile course. However, 15 miles after I had past the sign fatigue, stiffness, spasms, and general soreness was starting to takes its toll and I inevitably had to give myself a pep talk not only to preserver through adversity but to represent my family and friends who have had cancer. The talk was enough to finish ahead of quite a few of my teammates on team spartan and finish in 7 hours and 39 minutes. When I crossed the line after having ridden 100 miles I was filled with elation and I did not shy away from raising my hands in emotion and achievement. I will cherish this moment for a life time because I think it is only the start of greater things to come. During the event and post race festivities I could not help but be engulfed in the community of cancer. Though this disease may be hell the amount of people to lean on for support, care, guidance, knowledge, and to uplift your spirits is one incredible community which is the cancer community. The LiveSTRONG Challenge was engulfed with the cancer community and it was a pleasure to see it first hand. On Sunday July 12, 2009 I will not only take away a bike ride that was filled with decisions and emotions and in the end triumph but also was getting to talk to all of the participants and learning their connection to cancer So many of them had bibs on their jerseys that read “In Honor Of,” or “In Memory Of.” I pray and will continue to pray for all those that have to deal with the grind of chemotherapy. As Lance Armstrong says ““Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90-percent chance or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight.” “Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” I couldn’t have participated in this event without your generosity and support, and I can’t thank you enough for all that you gave. You have made a difference in the global fight against cancer! With love and thanks, Russell Zillgitt

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