The Best Medicine

Well …. Saturday morning, we leave for Long Branch New Jersey to get settled in for Sunday’s New Jersey Marathon. I have mentioned before that my wife and I are both doing this with TEAM IN TRAINING to celebrate my remission, to remember my wife’s cousin and …. just because we can. Together we have raised a little over $5,000 for the cause and are looking forward to a great weekend. I wanted to check in tonight in case tomorrow gets away from me and I will be sure to bring back plenty of pics and a complete recap to post.

A sure fire way to get the feel good juice flowing is to get involved. You don’t need to be an Olympian to make a difference in the lives of many people. You don’t need to be an ironman triathlete to help find a cure. And you don’t need to qualify for anything to make a difference in the world. The concept of tying together athletics and charitable causes is not a new one. And the Philadelphia area has a plethora of options for people willing to make the commitment to put one foot in front of the other in the name of saving lives.

I have been involved with these types of charity events for over 20 years, and each one that I do provides me with an incredible sense of achievement knowing that my efforts are playing a key role in the advancement of cures and treatments of any number of health issues. Many folks get involved with these types of events because they are personally suffering from a disease and want to play a more active role in their future. Others get involved because a friend of loved one has been diagnosed. Whatever the reasons are charity events leave you with a true sense of accomplishment.

The MS 150 City to Shore Bike Tour has been one of my personal favorites for many years. I originally got involved 16 years ago because it just looked like a great way to spend the weekend – on the bike. But over the years, I have met some of the most amazing individuals who are wrestling with Multiple Sclerosis and it has added meaning and purpose to my involvement.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s TEAM IN TRAINING, The Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Race for a Cure, The American Cancer Society’s Bik-a-thon, The LIVESTRONG Challenge, these don’t even scratch the surface of the many great events right here in our area that are available to everyone.

Each and every one of us has the power to make a difference. We can walk, run, ride, etc to help find a cure. If we can’t do that, we can come out and volunteer. If that is not an option, we can make a donation. Funds are tight ? Then offer to volunteer by stuffing envelopes or goody bags, or making phone calls on. There is something that we can all do. And trust me, knowing that you are making that kind of a difference in the lives of others will make a huge difference in your own.

I have received so many encouraging emails and messages over the last several weeks and I am thankful to have this platform to engage, share, network, or do whatever I can do for the benefit of all of us. Thanks for everyone’s continued support and I will chat with you on the other side of the marathon.