AFC Raises Over $2,500 for Cancer Research

Columbia, Md. (August 31, 2010) - Riders participating on the Adventures For The Cure team in the 24 Hours of Booty raised more than $2,500 in online and offline donations this past weekend for cancer research. 24 Hours of Booty is the official 24-hour ride of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which brings cyclists of all abilities together to raise vital funds for cancer research and survivorship. The non-competitive charity cycling event unites people who are passionate about fighting cancer. By benefiting both The Lance Armstrong Foundation and local, life-changing beneficiaries including the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults based in Howard County, Md., the 24 Hours of Booty experience represents hope, challenge, remembrance and celebration

Since its inception in 2002, 24 Hours of Booty has raised more than $1 million for cancer charities. That adds up to a lot of impactful change for the cancer community. Over $200,000 has been raised thus far from this year's Columbia, Md. event. If you would like to donate, please visit the Adventures For The Cure page.

Here are the local and national cancer charities that 24 Hours of Booty will provide funds to in 2010:

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF)
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) provides the practical information and tools people with cancer need to live life on their own terms. The LAF serves its mission through advocacy, public health and research.

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF)
Based in Howard County, Maryland, the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) was established in 1997 by Doug Ulman, a three-time cancer survivor who now serves as president of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The UCF’s mission is to enhance lives by supporting, educating and connecting young adults, and their loved ones, affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.ulmancancerfund.org or call toll-free 888-393-FUND.

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults (UCF) was established in 1997 by Doug Ulman, a three-time cancer survivor who now serves as President and CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The UCF's mission is to support, educate and connect young adults affected by cancer.

The Hendrick Marrow Program
The Hendrick Marrow Program works with Be The Match Foundation® to support the work of the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP). It raises money to add more potential marrow donors to the NMDP's Be The Match Registry®, increasing the chances that more patients find their match. It also helps patients pay for some uninsured transplant costs, which are often a barrier to treatment.

The Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas

An organization dedicated to increasing public awareness of the impact of brain tumors along with providing support for the development of comprehensive treatment strategies and cooperative biomedical research efforts.

The Keep Pounding Fund
Honoring the late Carolina Panthers player and coach Sam Mills and former player Mark Fields, this fund benefits the Blumenthal Center for Cancer Research at Carolinas Medical Center.

About the 24 Hours of Booty
24 Hours of Booty, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charity located in Charlotte, NC that provides an extraordinary cycling event that is safe, fun, and open to all levels of cycling ability. The organization and event were named after the three-mile loop of roadway, nicknamed the "Booty Loop" – the location of 24 Hours of Booty of Charlotte – by local runners, cyclists and sports enthusiasts, in Charlotte, N.C.'s tree-lined Myers Park neighborhood. Its mission is to increase cancer awareness, support cancer research and programs and raise funds for The Lance Armstrong Foundation and local cancer charities such as The Keep Pounding Fund at Carolinas Medical Center, the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas, and the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. Since its inception in 2002, 24 Hours of Booty has raised more than $1 million for cancer charities. For more information, call toll-free at 877-365-4417, or visit www.24hoursofbooty.org.

About Adventures For The Cure
Adventures For The Cure is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization and USA Cycling Club that exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show adults and children diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research.

In addition to fighting diabetes, AFC was created to inspire everyone to use their gifts and talents to make positive change in the world around us. We have focused on using our love of cycling to accomplish this task, but any gift or talent can be used to help others and do something good! We are looking for new team members who share this vision.

The organization has also set out to inspire others to live healthy lifestyles and to adventure beyond their perceived limits, because ANYTH!NG Is Possible. For more information, visit www.adventuresforthecure.com.

Father and son riding 184 miles for Angelman Syndrome Foundation

Halethorpe, Md. (July 20, 2010) – Today Adventures For the Cure (AFC) announced a new fundraising campaign supporting the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, which provides research and support to fight this neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in 1 in 15,000 live births.

In 2008, AFC led a successful campaign for Luke's Bike. This summer, Luke and Stephen are using the bike to raise funds and awareness for Angelman Syndrome (AS). Luke along with his father Stephen Wright just completed the first leg of their 184-mile journey along the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal towpath.


Stephen Wright riding with son Luke on the bike's maiden voyage.

The following is a ride report from Stephen Wright after the completion of the first leg of their journey.

As many of you know, my son Luke and I are riding the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal towpath from Cumberland, West Virginia to Georgetown in northwest Washington, D.C., in three segments this summer, partly to raise funds and awareness of Angelman Syndrome. The guys at AFC have been great and have helped me set up a campaign on their website. Please inform any of your friends who may be looking for a tax-exempt donation for 2010.

The first segment, from Cumberland, W.V., to Hancock, Md., was completed Saturday July 17th and was a great success. Luke did very well, although I asked him to sit in his seat longer than I had hoped. My goal was to pedal at 15 mph, but that bike, with Luke on it weights over 75 lbs, and is tough to push. I managed 14-15 mph in segments, but mainly it was 12-13 mph for the ride. I was bonking for the last five or so, it was tough. The whole day, my beautiful wife was a perfect sag support. It was her idea to stop at Brewer's Alley in Frederick for a restorative burger and oatmeal stout!

One amazing stroke of luck was at the very end in Hancock. Luke was down and I was getting packed up for the drive home when the front tire started hissing. It just gave up after 60.5 miles, sitting in a parking lot. Although I had a spare and tools, of course, I thought the timing was pretty funny.

Our next leg will be from Hancock to Harper's Ferry, about 63 miles, on Saturday August 7, and the final leg will be Saturday August 28, where we'll sit around having a few pints after the ride. If any are interesting in riding part or all of these rides, let me know by emailing me directly [stephenwright41099 -@- yahoo.com] and I'll communicate the details to those interested. My wife will be in sag support again, but I'm afraid you will have to make all of your own arrangements for transport to and from. Our car can hold any food or water you'd like to have at pre-arranged pit stops. Thanks for considering!

To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit:
AFC Campaign for Angelman Syndrome Foundation
http://adventuresforthecure.com/campaigns/angelmanSyndrome.html

About the Angelman Syndrome Foundation
The Angelman Syndrome Foundation is a national organization of families, caregivers and medical professionals who care about those with Angelman Syndrome. Our mission is to advance the awareness and treatment of Angelman Syndrome through education and information, research, support and advocacy for individuals with Angelman Syndrome, their families, and other concerned parties. To learn more, visit http://www.angelman.org/. For a complete but brief introduction, go to http://www.angelman.org/about-us.

About Adventures for the Cure
Adventures For The Cure (AFC), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization and USA Cycling club which exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show those diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research. In addition to fighting diabetes, AFC was created to inspire everyone to use their gifts and talents to make positive change in the world around us. For more details, visit http://adventuresforthecure.com or on Facebook.

Permanent Link: http://blog.adventuresforthecure.com/2010/07/father-and-son-riding-184-miles-for.html

Speaking Engagement: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia

07.31.2009 - Columbia, MD - This Sunday, August 2, starting at 10:00 am, co-founders Adam Driscoll and Patrick Blair will be speaking at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia (UUCC). Newcomers and guests are more than welcome to attend.

At Sunday's service, you will hear from, and interact with, two “Gen-Y”-ers who will inspire us to step up your game. A UUCC service for all ages, but be sure to encourage the youths and young adults in your lives to join us for the morning!

Read more about our guests and one of their adventures in this article from The Baltimore Sun: “Grueling Ride for a Good Cause”, published on June 14.

Michael Adock will be playing piano.

Worship Associate: Julie Boughn

Location:
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, http://www.uucolumbia.net/
Owen Brown Interfaith Center
7246 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045

Driving Directions: http://www.uucolumbia.net/contact.html

What is the dress code?
Members wear everything from jeans and sneakers to traditional Sunday best.

Youth Swim Team Conducting Swim-A-Thon for Extreme Weekend Fundraiser

07.16.2009 - Columbia, Md. - The Phelps Luck Snappers swim team will be raising funds for the Extreme Weekend for Children with Diabetes Camp at this Saturday's Swim-a-thon at the Phelps Luck Pool.

The Snappers participate in the Columbia Neighborhood Swim League (CNSL), which consists of kids ranging in age from 6 through 15. Swim-a-thon is a annual fundraiser by the Phelps Luck Snappers in which participants earn money for a local charity by swimming lengths of the pool. On the evening of July 18th, these young athletes will be swimming laps in the pool and enjoying a sleepover at Phelps Luck!. Volunteers will track their progress. Sponsors will reward the swimmers for the total number of lengths of the pool completed (or with a flat pledge). There will be prizes for children with the most pledges.

Co-founder Patrick Blair stated, "We're excited and humbled to be selected as this year's charity recipient of the Swim-a-thon sponsored by Phelps Luck Swim Team." This year's charity fun event is coordinated by parents Deb Sharkey and Mike West. West added, "The kids are really excited about helping other kids. Many of the swimmers know about Adventures For The Cure through friends, family members and the news."

The AFC Extreme Weekend for Children with Diabetes Camps exist to provide children with diabetes the opportunity to maximize their ability to perform at their highest level in all areas of sports, fitness and life activities while maintaining intensive glucose control as this is necessary for proper diabetes management.

How you can help?
While the event is closed to the general public, Phelps Luck supporters, friends and family along with AFC supporters have been invited to sponsor kids (anonymously if they like). If you know the parents or members of the Snappers swim team, please contact them or visit the Snappers website at http://www.eteamz.com/PhelpsLuckSnappers/ for more information.