Stand Up 2 Cancer

Can you envision stopping Cancer in its tracks?

I can. And so can a lot of other people.

TONIGHT is the "Stand Up to Cancer" special (8pm PT/ET & 7pm CT on NBC/ABC/CBS/Fox).

Cancer takes one person every minute. One life in a moment. They are our family, our best friends, ourselves.

In the time it's taken me to write this blog while I'm snacking on my lunch and the sun is shining outside --- Cancer has taken 10 more people from this world.

For me or any of us to wait any longer for someone else to save our lives and the lives of those we love is absolutely unforgivable. I started the Cures Rock! global advocacy and awareness campaign for young adults battling cancer because I was inspired to act based on my own personal experience with the disease -- and I knew I just couldn't "sit back" and rely on the current health system alone to do it.

SU2C has a similar mission statement (and they love the color orange as much as me!). They are calling on the public to help take matters into our own hands, investing in a revolution that will change the way scientists work to understand and treat these diseases. Stand Up To Cancer is more than "just another TV special." It is a force that we need to urgently move cancer research forward.

Please take the time tonight to watch the TV special (not that you have a choice because ALL the major networks are going to air this show!) --- and donate while you're at it. For those like me that aren't the hugest TV fans (shh...) -- take it to the 'Net.

Cancer -- you'd better start running for the hills 'cause the Internet and TV-land is ready to come crush your sorry bootie today. CURES ROCK! (Cancer does not.)

My "Re-Birthday"

One year ago today, I received test results back from my oncologist that I was “unremarkable.” That’s right – my momma always told me I was special, but in the case with cancer last year, I didn't mind her being wrong. Being cancer-free was music to my ears last September.

For the record, the battle doesn't stop once someone is cancer free --- and being in remission is not the same as cured. There are doctor visits, side effects and repercussions from so much "poison" (a.k.a. chemo) & "glow-worm" (a.k.a. radiation) treatments, and the fun of always looking over one's shoulders. It's why I won't give up with my Cures Rock! campaign -- because early detection & survivorship is key...and we still need to find a cure.

Since 09-09 became a special day in my books for a multitude of reasons, in honor of the ~900,000 people living with blood cancer in the U.S., I’m asking you all to do something “remarkable” today in the fight against cancer – and here’s a few ideas (You didn’t think I’d leaving you hanging, did you?):

* Mark 10/2 on your calendar and get ready for LIVESTRONG Day! I’ll be posting our San Diego activities here soon, so stay tuned! You can also host your own event. Visit the LIVESTRONG web site for more information!

* Sign-up today to participate in San Diego’s premier Swing Fore! Yellow Golf Charity Classic on November 1, 2010 to benefit LIVESTRONG. (You can also fundraise for LAF to raise your player fee & funds for the charity, so ping me if interested in that option.) http://www.SanDiegoLivestrongArmy.org/swingfore

* Join the “Cures Rock!” Team for the San Diego Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Light the Night” event on November 5, 2011. I’m trying to get 100 people to join our team with each person raising $100! Go to our team site at: http://pages.lightthenight.org/sd/SanDiego10/curesrock , scroll to the bottom & click the “join” button! OR, donate $9 to my LTN fundraising by clicking here!

* Join the “Cures Rock! Team” at the Surf City Race in Huntington Beach (5K, Half or Full Marathon races in February 6, 2011). This race sells out early, so go to http://www.runsurfcity.com/, choose the “Cures Rock!” Running Club on the sign-up form. A percentage of the race entry fees goes back to the CR Running Club to keep our CR activities moving forward! (No fundraising required for this event.)

* Join the Cures Rock! Team to raise funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation AND run the Austin Half/Full Marathon in Feb 2011 -- or donate $9 to my fundraising by clicking here! You can DONATE or SIGN UP online for our team at: http://runaustin.livestrong.org/marathon2011/curesrockteam (minimum fundraising is $500, although I’d love to form a team of 10 runners to raise $1000 each!)

Thanks for your continued support and for joining the fight against cancer. Cures Rock and so do you! I hope to see my family, friends, co-workers, online virtual pals and cancer warriors at some of these events!

And now, it's time for a cupcake (or two or three)...