He’s not heavy…

[ornoth_cycling]

I am just amazed at the incredible people I know.

In my paws, I hold a combined cash, check, and matching gift deposit for the Pan-Mass Challenge. It signifies a number of things.

First, it brings my fundraising for this year to $6,145. Six thousand dollars! Just two months ago, my most ambitious goal was $4,000! My previous record, set last year, was $3,865. So this year my donations have increased by 60% over last year! And I’ve still got two more people who promised donations who haven’t done so yet…

I set my $4,000 goal this year so that I could reach $20,000 in lifetime fundraising. Well, forget that! I’m already up to $22,210! Wow!

Finally, the PMC has this status called “Heavy Hitter”. It’s for people who raise a lot of money: usually about twice the ride’s minimum. Heavy Hitters get a special dinner and privileges and stuff. This year’s minimum is $3,300, and the Heavy Hitter amount is—you guessed it—$6,000. I never once dreamed I’d ever be a Heavy Hitter; my social circle’s pretty small, and I don’t do any of that hard-core corporate fundraising stuff. But my sponsors surprised the heck out of me this year, and here I am, blowing past the Heavy Hitter level without really trying.

All I can say is that my friends amaze me. I never would have dreamed I could raise $22,000 for anything, given any amount of time. I’m humbled by the generosity of my friends, and I’m honored that they’ve placed their faith in me that the PMC is a very worthwhile cause to donate to. I take a great deal of pride and satisfaction from making a material contribution to the good that the PMC, the Jimmy Fund, and the Dana-Farber do, and I’m blessed with friends who have made it possible for me to make a significant contribution to the fight against cancer.

The PMC is one of the most fulfilling and most important things that I do, and my sponsors are the ones who make it possible.

I wish I could find the words to thank you as much as you deserve.