Cancer rears it's ugly head - too close to home!

Well, cancer reared it's ugly head close to home this week. While hosting a 90th birthday party my neighbour across the street was surprisingly transported to the hospital after a 911 call. We had heard she had colon and liver cancer but saw her driving about a month ago. Much to Jan and my shock, she died in hospital that night.

Hats off to Barkwear!!!

Hey Reader! I've got a picture of the new Barkwear hats right off the embroidery machines!!! I think they look amazing. Ok, I know I'm biased because I designed them, but they'll be what all the cool people are wearing. Besides all the proceeds will be going to support... ME!!! Well, toward my goal of 20 gees.:D

A big thanks to Scott Barker who'll be selling them for donations. Mike Hecktus donated all the hats and Promotional Elements donated all the embroidery. That is sooooo awesome!!! Drop me a line and I'll try and hook you up with one of these bad boys!!!

Also, comes in white.

PS I hear they selling like hot cakes. Hope I get one in time... :p

Friday night's alright!!!

Cool... Jared and I made a late night (okay, late by my standards) drop-off/pick-up of the sign. It really looks awesome!!! I'll be using today at Jan's aunt's 90th B-day party at our house. It will sit outside the front door with donation box as people come and go... THANKS SO MUCH JARED!!! The rider looks like me as well, my bike and clothing... so cool!

A big thank you to another American friend Kevin who has donated generously! I don't know why but I'm still amazed at the generosity of our neighbours south of the border. Thanks so much Kevin, I really appreciate the support in a big way. :D

A Canadian in America back in Canada... lucky me.

My buddy Eddy and childhood friend is up from North Carolina. Its been 18 years since he's been back home. Eddy's been a blast. Being a CanAmerican he donated generously immediately. His wife runs for Cancer every fall but this didn't stop him from supporting my efforts. Thanks so much Eddy!!!

A quickie...

Jared did a great job on the sign design. Can't wait to start using it. Trying to co-ordinate a pick up as he's in the big Tdot!

Got a donation Sunday night from Kim. Kim and I went to film school together back in the late 80's. I haven't talked to Kim in years and thanks to social media, we've connected. I think its pretty cool and awesome on her part that she just jumped in with support. Thanks so much Kim!!!

WWTD? I had fun making the Tee.

So, I think it will be fun to start thinking WWTD? What Would Terry (Fox) Do? Looking back at his photos of his run it seemed he keep it pretty simple. Just consistently plugged away day after day. So with that in mind, I bought a yellow t-shirt and iron on letters. Didn't have enough in one size but it didn't matter. I'll wear the t-shirt while pedalling hard with sign. I also bought a plastic see-through box to collect money. It'll need a slot and two small holes in the bottom. I'll screw it to a wooden fold up table I have so it doesn't go missing! :D

Many thanks to the Turek family for each donating at Easter and writing me a very nice cheque Saturday to add to my total. My good neighbour Hans also contributed. I've done pretty well for a little over 2 weeks. I sit at $3,400 donated by 42 separate on-line donations. How cool is that?

Sign of things to come!

Hey, Tom here after a better night's sleep. My good designer buddy Jared @ Agency'59 sent me a pick of the sign he's repurposing for me. It will be the cat's behind!! I'll be able to pack & unpack it easily on my tour of the city. Can't wait to pick up with the new type next week!!! THANKS JARED!!!

Learning from my mistakes...

Ok, I'm still learning like everyone else. I think we can think too much. I think I've tried to get too cute... too creative. I know - it's hard. I pride myself on coming up with creative ideas. But, ideas aren't worth their weight in salt if they make you lose site of what's important. That's what's happened to me.

I've forgotten why I'm trying to raise money for cancer. Yeah, I know its sad because its only been a few weeks.

So, this is what I know now: I doing this because I can, because I DON'T have cancer and because a lot of others have or had cancer. I'm doing this because I believe it is a cause that doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Its not Katrina or Haiti yet cancer kills 2-5 times more people around the world in ONE year!

So, I don't think I'll be raffling off a bike. I'll be relying on people like you. People who have and I'm convinced will continue to give generously! I feel bad because I didn't give enough credit to people. However, I realized now that people are donating not because they want to win a bike. They are donating because its an awesome cause & because they want to support my efforts. As many have said, they want me to "enjoy the ride".

To be honest, I haven't been enjoying the ride. I haven't slept in two nights. I've been worrying about where am I going to find a bike. Well, I know now, its not about the bike! Ironic because thats the book title of Lance Armstrong's first book!!!

There... I feel better already. I don't have to worry anymore & I'll be able to sleep peacefully. I can just simply bring a sign, table, box & my 6 year old Fuji and ride my trainer anywhere and concentrate on FUNdraising!!! When I ride on August 28th, 2010 it will be because of the generosity of new & old friends, colleagues & family AND the people of Hamilton.

Tom

What a roller coaster!

Well, after sour few days I'm back on top again. This fundraising stuff is making me manic!!! Okay, maybe I was manic to begin with. Busy day at work but I squeezed in a chat on the telephone with Jamie Grant! I'm so lucky he tweeted me!!! This guy is amazing. Jamie did the Ride last year AND GET THIS: WITH ONLY 24 DAYS NOTICE!!!! And here I am freakin' because the donations haven't exactly been rolling in! I'm never complaining again. Jamie gave me ton of tips and encouragement and assured me with 5 months I'll be winning my bet with my Daughter!

He can't ride this year because of knee surgery and a new baby but he's gonna be there in spirit. He's just a average bloke like me - so he assures me. He did say its hard work but I'm convinced now that it I put the work in, things will work out. Thanks so much Jamie! Now that I have your email address we're BFF. :)

Also got a anonymous $250 donation!!!! I'm a lucky man!!!

FInally, the local garage my family uses gave generously. The guys at Glendale Motors are great _THANKS!!. I know for a fact that Doug there is an avid cyclist!!! Need car work?

I like Mondays...

Thankfully, my neighbour Charlie came through with a donation yesterday. Thanks Charles!!! This can't be said for today. Seems my streak has ended.

I did get a tweet from Jamie Grant though. He participated in last year's ride and is offering me some information which is awesome. Wonder what it is?!?! I sure could use it.

Speaking of last year's ride. The printer has the file but I've had to send the native InDesign files for the cover. Almost done.

I haven't heard anything from anyone today in regards to HammerCancer.com. Wait a minute, I did get a few comments about the video via MSN and FB! Seems I was showing a lot of bums according to Bonnie. :)

SERIOUS NOTE NOW:
If you reading this, please spread the word! An email from you would be a lot better than coming from me!!! Cajole them if you have to - it just might work. I can't do this alone.

First HammerCancer.com video on YouTube!

See the first RWL Training Ride on Good Friday... Here.

Ok, first time using the Flip. Cut me some slack! :)

Pretty Productive Saturday...

The day started really well. Hugh & Dorli came through with a donation last night to keep my daily donation streak alive. Thanks Rawlings! Thanks too to another American, George C., I received very generous donation today as well. Very surprising because his partner Mary had already donated. I'm not complaining - that's terrific. Thanks so much!!!

I spent the morning hoping to hit printing and bike shops for sponsorship. Found out all the printing shops are only open during the week. I'll have to figure something out.

My meeting at Central Cycle & Sport went really well. It's an awesome shop at 954 King St. E. in Hamilton. Brian Chewter (ex-two time Olympian) is very personable. The mechanic James is very friendly as well. I was very impressed. These guys know their stuff and I can't imagine them ever trying to 'pull the wool' over anyones eyes!


I got a pretty positive response. I really hope Brian comes through for me. I'd love to represent these guys!!!

Going to try and get the video from last week posted either tonight or tomorrow sometime.

Tomorrow I'll be finishing off the last few text edits then sending the .PDF off to the printers. Steve says it looks really good! :)

OH YEAH ALSO GOT AN AMAZING COMMENT ON THE BLOG! VERY INSPIRATIONAL... see it below or on my web page. I've put it there for now!


...Finally, www.hammercancer.com is all over Google > was NO. 1 yesterday. Which is amazing after just 3 weeks Steve!!! hehehe....

Comment... I don't mind.

Turned on, then off, now on again comments. Go ahead make a comment. Please be nice. I'm fragile. Well, not really but I could use the support.... really!!! :)

Thanks to Simon who went beyond the call of duty and donated from Calgary - Yeah Adventure Science!

Listened to Sarah's memorial speech for Jodie, her good friend who died of ovarian cancer last week. I watched the music video as well. Jodie seemed like a beautiful young woman. I'm sure she'll be missed terribly!

PLEASE READ COMMENT BELOW FROM SURVIVOR SCOTT BARKER.

Always learning something new

With Leif going over #hammercancer Illustrations learned the term: mice type click here for a description.

Illustrating Discussions!

Leif and I sat down for an hour or so and went over all the illustrations created by his Mohawk Modern Design Illustration classes. I've never been on the client side. Kinda neat actually. We seemed to agree on our choices. We also agree that they needed a bit of work before going to print. It was interesting to all the different choices... see for yourself!

Class1 AND Class 2

Leave a comment on their blogs if you like the work!

A BIG shout out to Bonnie for saving the day and donating generously. Thanks so much Bonnie!!! A day without a donation is like a day without sunshine (kinda like the raining day it was today). My bro Paul Trebilcock donated too. Although, I did it on-line for him and he's just giving me cash - which of course is okay too!!!

This is quite the journey...

Earlier this week Steve H. and the MacCuishes kept my spirits up with a generous donation each day. If I averaged their amounts everyday I'd be a lot more confident. Thanks so much!

Then I had yesterday. Life is wonderful - with help from the internet. Here's the story:

Jan and I had our driveway paved in 2008. The city was doing the road so we were entitled to get compensated for the City of Hamilton's area. Paperwork was misplaced until Sunday. Found, I decided I'd follow up. Phone message left & email sent. Well, I get a forwarded email back from a engineered named Tim E.. The next day as I start to confirm the forms (already filled out in 2008) mailing address I think, I'm going to ask if its the Tim E. I went to school with. Actually, I was friends with his twin sisters. We participated in a ton of school activities together.

Well, it turned out it was and he remembered me. I had mentioned hammercancer.com and so Tim proceeded to describe the terrible toll cancer has had on his immediate family. He offered his sisters phone numbers but I just thought an email with a link to hammercancer.com would be appropriate.

So, imagine the wave of emotions next. Tim's sister Di immediately emails with a little hi and update - her kids are doing really well AND sister Mandy makes a donation to the cause!! I haven't seen the two in almost 30 years!

I can't describe the mixture of emotions this whole thing conjured up but needless to say it was pretty cool!!! Stories like Tim & his sister's keep me more determined than ever...

If things like this are going to happen, I think it will really change me - for the better - TOTALLY SERIOUS!

I also decided to lower my Goal last night. I've put it at the min. $20K. I was getting a little down on the fact that my thermometer was never elevating - even a bit. I can always raise it again but I personally need to visually see some progress. After all I'm a more visual person. :)

Mary H. (another generous American) celebrated her retirement with donation. Thanks Mary!

Man, I'm busy... but not too busy to acknowledge a few good things.

Try to get a lot done but work and home are keeping me hopping. Big thanks to Steve H.. He gave a generous donation over and above and passed along an email to others!

Get this... my good designer buddy Iles has committed to raising $500 for me!!!! That's amazing. Imagine if a few of you reading this took up the challenge. I bet I'd reach my goal for sure. I'm tickled pink er yellow Iles has joined in my efforts - what a thrill. :)

I'm so lucky.

The first proof of the book is at the printers.

PS gotta get my video put together and uploaded!

Some of the results are in...

Well, as planned I launched my web site www.hammercancer.com on April 1st with the idea "Cancer is no joke!". April being cancer month and all I thought it was good thing to try. So, I sent a personal email to everyone I could think of that morning. I may have even sent one to you. If I didn't shame on me.

The idea is to get $20 donations but what I really hope is that the receiver will forward the email to 7 (and only 7) people they trust would seriously consider donating also. All donors concede its an awesome cause but just imagine if the emails caught on...

Emails are easy though and I realize I going to have to put in hard work over the next 5 months to reach my goal. Receiving donations from only family and friends won't cut it. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears. Fire ME off and email and I'll be sure to listen - promise!!!

Kudos to the latest donors. Paul, Wendy, Luke, Chris, Mitch*Trisport, Mike, Jane, Hans Luigi & Team Turek!!! Hoping you guys will also pass along to others. :D