Last year I spent a good amount of time begging people for
money. Outside of that, I also spent a good amount of time asking people for
donations for a great cause called Be The Match. For those that might have
missed it here is the link for the blog I posted last year explaining how I was
drawn to such a great cause and my motivation for running in the Be The Match
5k Walk/Run. For those curious, I finished the 5k in right around 33 minutes (I
think) and am proud of the fact that I was able to “run” the entire race
without stopping to walk. Not too bad for a guy who dislikes running and had
only begun training about a month prior.
Along with being very proud of my accomplishment of “running”
the entire race, I was also overcome with gratitude for all of the wonderful
people who donated money to the cause. With the help of those donations I was
able to raise over $1000 for the cause which made me the #2 individual
donor/collector finishing only behind a man who had lost family members to
various types of cancers and had made a VERY generous donation on their behalf.
And while it was my name they called at the awards ceremony, I was only a small
part of the process. I’m glad I could make people aware of Be The Match and
successfully solicit donations for the cause, but I wasn’t the only one who
opened up my heart and my checkbook. The credit was not mine alone to take yet
I was the only one who went up and accepted my congratulatory certificate.
And that got me thinking.
Why weren’t other people up there with me?
Your donations alone would have pushed us pretty high in the
rankings for the highest team total as well. Shouldn’t we get credit as a
group? Sure, I ran the race but I was going to do that regardless of the
donation amount. The money you donated was the only thing that made me look
good as it sure wasn’t my time across the finish line. I wanted you up there
with me. I wanted you to receive the adulation that I did. You were as big a
part of it as I was and you should have been there with me.
And this year on September 6, you’re going to be.
Since the day of the Be The Match 5k Walk/Run last year I
have, well, let’s just say I’m not in the same peak physical condition that I
was at that time. I will get there again, but the winter weight needs to be
shed first and the running shoes need to be dusted off. During that time of not doing much of
anything, however, I’ve had a lot of time to think. We raised a lot of money
last year – and that was just us. What
if everyone who donated money to Be The Match not only donated again, but what
if they also solicited donations of their own? What if those that couldn’t
donate but instead joined the Be The Match registry solicited others to join
the registry as well? Can you imagine the impact we could have? Can you imagine
the amount of money we could raise? Can you imagine how many lives we could
possibly save?
Yes, I said we could save lives.
Because we can.
Every person that signs up for the Be The Match registry has
the potential to save a life. Everybody that donates money to the cause helps
facilitate that process. I was proud last year to be a part of that and I want you
to feel that pride as well. I hope that if you are reading this that at the
VERY minimum you visit BeTheMatch.org
to read about this amazing program that literally does save lives. I hope that
if you are willing to take the next step that you join the registry. Above and beyond
that, I hope that you are willing to make a donation to Be The Match to help
them in all of the good that they do. And way above and way beyond that, I hope
you are motivated enough to join my team: Team Hope.
I didn’t do it by myself last year. You were there with me
in spirit but this year I want you there physically. I want you to run with me.
I want you to walk with me. I want you to collect donations with me and cross that
finish line with me and celebrate what we did TOGETHER with me. But most
importantly, I want you to help save lives with me.
I don’t care what kind of shape you’re in. I don’t care how
young or old you are. I don’t care if you love meor hate me – hug or punch me
at your convenience. The important thing is that we all come together and do
what we can for those that need our help.
We will be there as a team and we will celebrate as a team. We can all do
this together in the name of hope.
I have set up a team page here: Team Hope
This is specifically for Team Hope. Please join my team so that we can do this together. I have initially set a team goal of $1000 which we were able to do last year on our own and should easily surpass. I feel that by asking family, friends, co-workers, employers, etc. we should be able to well exceed that amount. As a matter of fact, I am so sure of that that I am willing to put some stakes on it. If we, as a team, are able to raise $3000 I will host a BBQ the afternoon following the race at my house. If we, as a team, are able to raise $5000 I will even buy the beer. I know the number seems high, but you’d be surprised what your employers are willing to donate as they can write it off on their taxes. You’d be surprised at how much friends and family are willing to donate for a great cause. I would say you’d be surprised how much people are willing to donate just to get some jackwagon to stop bugging them, but my $1000 total from last year is an excellent indicator at exactly how much. So let's get started right now and see what we can do together as a team.
I can’t do this alone. I need your help. Friends and family
may one day need your help. Please, do this for them. Do this for a stranger
who only you and your bone marrow can help. Do this for the hope that someday
we can put an end for the need for these types of event Together, we can do this.
Please join me
Please join Team Hope
