The Jimmy Fund walk to beat cancer

[Doublerunner]

I hope this is okay to post here. If not my apologies and I will remove.

For the last 15 years my Dad has been an active participant in the “Boston Marathon--Jimmy Fund Walk”. Unfortunately my Dad will be unable to participate this year as he has in the past. But I am happy to say that the legacy he started will be continued by his family. Myself, along with my 2 sisters, my wife and our kids, nieces and nephews are stepping up and taking his place. We have formed a team called “TEAM SPIRIT” and we are looking for sponsors to help us reach our goals. By sponsoring us you will be contributing directly to the Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The Institute is a leading pioneer in developing and implementing innovative and effective cancer therapies for children and adults. Virtually 100% of all monies raised goes directly to Dana Farber and cancer research. Great strides have been made in recent years and with continued research it is possible that within our lifetime we could see cures developed for this dreaded disease in all its forms.

I have seen the devastating effects cancer can have on its victims and their families and loved ones. My grandmother succumbed to throat cancer at the young age of 57. My grandfather to lung cancer which took him slowly and piece by piece. First an arm, then 2 years later a leg, and then a year later he passed away. My mom is a survivor of thyroid cancer from which she has made a complete recovery. My Dad has had skin cancer which has not re-occurred thankfully. There are too many people to list but I have seen many friends and families affected with various forms of cancer. At some point in our lives all of us have been, or will be, affected by cancer. Cancer has no prejudice. It attacks infants, teens, adults and seniors, all races, religions and sexes. It does not care if the economy is weak or strong or whether you are rich or poor.

So, on Sept 12th my family and I will join thousands of others and walk the Boston Marathon route from Hopkinton to Boston, 26.2 miles. We do this in memory and honor of our own loved ones and to support those who are currently battling to survive. I am asking you to support me in this endeavor by making a donation to the Jimmy Fund. All donations should be made payable to “The Jimmy Fund” or “BMJFW” (Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk) and mail them to me at...PM me for the mailing address. OR you can go to this link online

http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/faf/sea...m=3870239&cj=Y (http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=340171&lis=0&kntae340171=9B0223D139C242829DAC5BA998220248&supId=0&team=3870239&cj=Y)

This link you can copy and paste into your computer’s browser and it will take you directly to the “TEAM SPIRIT” page where you can then click on my name and make a donation in any amount. If you send the check to me make sure to include your name and address so that I can send you my follow up letter detailing the events happenings. My individual goal is to raise at least $2,500.

For you guys that know me you know I am not the picture of health. I am a 50 year old overweight father of 4 and a grandfather. This will be a huge undertaking for me but one that I am committed to do. For those that know me you know that when I commit to do something then I go in all the way. As my good friend Ed would say I don't do anything "half-assed".

I started my training for this last night. I walked 6 miles in approx 2 hours. This morning I was pretty sore. Tonight will be a lighter walk going 3 miles. This will be my training regimen for the next 5 weeks and trying to gradually build up my distances. At this pace it will take me approx 9 hours to complete this walk, plus any other time added to stop for bathroom breaks, etc.

To show my seriousness I will offer up an Al Gags 3 oz 7" Sea Special ( pic below ) to any SnA member who donates $50 or more. Please make sure to include your SnA member name in the memo section of your check so that I can put your name in the hat. The day after the walk I will put all the donors names into a hat and pull a winner. For every $10 above the initial $50 minimum I will give you an additional name in the hat. ( Example $50 = 1 chance, $60 = 2 chances, $70 = 3, etc ). If you make your donation through the online mechanism please pm me your info so that I can include you.

Additionally if you would like me to include your loved one in my walk please send me a picture with their name and/or a letter detailing their experience. I will be carrying all of these with me for inspiration and to honor them. It is through their strength and courage that I will be drawing upon to complete this daunting task. Please do not send me cash, checks only. And of course if any of you would like to participate I would love to have you join me for the walk

I wish I had some things to auction but my collection is very small and limited. If this site would let me I would like to auction off donated items if any one would prefer to donate items rather than money, but I don't want to overstep my welcome here.

Thanks for reading this lengthy post and for considering making a donation to a very worthwhile cause.

Tight Lines
John

http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo93/Doublerunner/Boat/Fishing%20plugs/AlGags7inchSeaSpecial3oz.jpg

[Pebbles]

What a worthy cause. My sister died of cancer last year. I now donate once a month to St. Judes Childrens Hospital in her memory.

I hope that some day soon they find a cure. What people go through and the strength they have is unbelievable. You and your family are doing a great thing. I wish you lots of success and thank you for walking for such a worthy cause.

Please PM your address so I can make a donation.

[finchaser]

Please PM your address so I can make a donation.

[Doublerunner]

pm's sent

Thank you so much!!!
:thumbsup:

[Doublerunner]

Pebbles if you don't mind would you also include a picture of your sister so that I can carry it on my walk? If you don't have one to spare then perhaps a note about your sister instead?

Thanks again
John

[finchaser]

Donation sent

[DarkSkies]

Hey John, Pebbles and I are going in together on a donation.

Good luck with the training, and the walk.

I think it's fantastic that you're carrying on the tradition that your Dad started, he must be real proud.
Keep up the good work, we'll be rootin for ya! :clapping: :thumbsup::thumbsup: :HappyWave:

[jigfreak]

Looks like a good cause I'll check out the link.

[Doublerunner]

Hey John, Pebbles and I are going in together on a donation.

Good luck with the training, and the walk.

I think it's fantastic that you're carrying on the tradition that your Dad started, he must be real proud.
Keep up the good work, we'll be rootin for ya! :clapping: :thumbsup::thumbsup: :HappyWave:

Thank you very much :thumbsup:

[Doublerunner]

Looks like a good cause I'll check out the link.

Thanks jigfreak. For those that don't know the Jimmy Fund they are a huge part of New England in raising money for cancer research. Very intwined forever with the Boston Red Sox. The Dana Farber cancer institute is among the best, if not the best, in cancer research and implementation.

I also called the walk director and found out that 88 cents out of every dollar donated goes to this fund. 12 cents covers the costs of organizing and running the event. That's a very good ratio. Many fundraising organizations are about a 65/35 split.

Thanks for checking it out. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them

[BassBuddah]

Good mojo to you doublerunner.:thumbsup:

[albiealert]

Good luck!

[Doublerunner]

Thank you very much. Did another 3.5 mile training walk this morning. 18 miles in for this week. Next week I step it up a little bit :thumbsup:

[Doublerunner]

Started week 2 of training today. Up at 4:30 and did 7.5 miles in 2 hours. Feeling stronger but my feet are killing me

[Doublerunner]

Finchaser I received your check today. Thank you very much for your generous donation. :thumbsup:

[finchaser]

Finchaser I received your check today. Thank you very much for your generous donation. :thumbsup:

Your very welcome, it's nothing compared to what you and your family do:clapping::clapping:

[Doublerunner]

Kim and Rich, thank you very much for your very generous donation. Just to let you know you made out the check to me but I will sign it over to The Jimmy Fund. Kim I got the picture of Tamra and I have tears in my eyes as I write this. She was born the same year as I and this is a great picture of her. I am placing her picture right next to that of Claire Johnson. Claire was my Mom's best friend who passed earlier this year to cancer. Claire had cancer for as long as my Mom can remember. There were times when it went into remission only to re-surface later. The amazing thing is she never complained. Last summer she came to my house to be a part of my parents 50th wedding anniversary party. She was in treatment and was stage 4 at the time and you knew she was weak but she would never let it show. She played ping pong and volleyball with my teenage kids and doted on her husband and was always concerned with how everyone else was doing...never wanting to draw attention to her. An amazing person. As I am sure your sister was.

I have stepped up my training for the marathon this week as promised. So far this week I am at 23 miles....already 5 ahead of last week and I am planning a 7 - 8 mile walk tomorrow morning. I did 4 miles this morning at 4:30 and I hardly felt it. I've dropped 6 pounds thus far and am feeling stronger. I am starting to feel like I may be able to walk the whole marathon route 26.2 miles barring any unforseen injuries.

I really hope I get to meet you and Rich some day

Sincerely
John

[rockhopper]

Way to go, guy.:thumbsup:

[Doublerunner]

Thanks brother. I finished this week's training at 33 miles. That does not include walking 9 holes of golf carrying my bag. Maybe I shoulda worn my korkers too although the course might have frowned upon those spikes :rolleyes:

Taking today off to rest the bones. Back at it tomorrow

4 more weeks 'til THE day...

[DarkSkies]

Keep up the great work, John. :clapping: :thumbsup: Feel free to let us know any time you want to come down to NJ for some fishin, you're always welcome. :HappyWave:

[stripercrazy]

Maybe I shoulda worn my korkers too although the course might have frowned upon those spikes :rolleyes:

...

Now THAT would be hardcore!
Good luck.

[Doublerunner]

Keep up the great work, John. :clapping: :thumbsup: Feel free to let us know any time you want to come down to NJ for some fishin, you're always welcome. :HappyWave:

Thanks. Let me know when the stripers are hitting hard from the shore this fall. I want to come down there and meet you and Kim and do some hard fishing and I'll try to drag Gunny and a couple of the other guys with me :thumbsup:

[Doublerunner]

UPDATE

With 2 weeks to go 'til THE day I am having some reservations on my ability to walk the whole marathon. My training hit a "bump" when I attempted a 12 mile'r and I developed some blisters and had trouble walking for a few days. Got back into my training but had to scale it back a bit. I still have my goal to complete the whole walk...no matter what...but I think this may be a little tougher than I thought

To date I have been able to raise almost $1,000 and need another $1,500 to reach my goal of $2,500

Tight Lines
John
:fishing:

[DarkSkies]

It's good to push, John, I do it in my life all the time. But I'm thinkin you might not want to be so critical of yourself. Blisters are a problem in the heat and humidity. There are a few things you might consider to minimize chafing and blisters...

1. Bring extra socks to change out when your feet sweat, not much trouble to carry in a small grocery bag, or tied to your belt.

2. Maybe some kind of medicated foot powder for when you do change socks, as an extra level of protection. You could put in a plastic bag. Label it "foot powder" in case inquiring minds want to know what you're doing with a bag of white powder in your pocket. ;)

You should have a better idea this week if you can handle it. Even though it's only 2 weeks away, I believe you can do it. Just watch the blisters and chafed skin because it'll set ya back.

There are a lot of us rooting for ya, man!
Like they say,
"You can Do it!!!!" :thumbsup: :HappyWave:

Keep up the good work!

[DarkSkies]

There are a lot of us rooting for ya, man!
Like they say,
"You can Do it!!!!" :thumbsup: :HappyWave:

Keep up the good work!


Tony Little's rootin for ya too. :thumbsup: :lookhappy:

KXOgMjn1oos


So is Chumbawumba! :clapping:

LODkVkpaVQA

[Doublerunner]

Thank you my friend for the words of wisdom and inspiration. When I get down I turn to Rick and **** Hoyt for inspiration. If you don't know their story, here is one of my favorite clips of their story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GphmdhLMGE&feature=related

I know I can do it. Mind over matter

[Doublerunner]

Brings tears to my eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM&feature=related

[clamchucker]

Put your mind on the goal and don't let anything deter you doublerunner. Good luck.

[Doublerunner]

Just received my bib # for the walk

http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo93/Doublerunner/Jimmy%20Fund%20Walk%202010/Bib.jpg

[Doublerunner]

This a picture of my Mom and her best friend, Claire Johnson. Claire is on the right side of the picture as you look at it with the white shirt. She is one of the people I am honoring in my walk this year by carrying a picture of her ( this picture ) with me on the walk. She lost her long and courageous battle with cancer this past April. This picture was taken the summer before her passing at my parents 50th wedding anniversary.


http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo93/Doublerunner/Jimmy%20Fund%20Walk%202010/MomandClaire.jpg

PS the date on the picture is from today as I took a picture of the photograph to post it here but it is from April of 2009

[Doublerunner]

Well by this time tomorrow I will, hopefully, be about halfway through my marathon route to benefit the Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I have put about 20 pictures and names in the front of my pouch so that they can see the names and faces of others along my walk. Unfortunately I just today added another name to the list today of one of my very best friends aunts who lost her battle with lung cancer.

One thing I've learned is we can all make a difference. No matter how big or how small if we all get involved. I am but one man but I have already been humbled and inspired by all the people I have affected with my small part in the grand scheme of things. The people who battle their afflictions every day with a positive outlook are the true warriors / heroes.

And on this very somber day in American history let's all remember to say a prayer for our country and those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks

Tight Lines
John

[cowherder]

Hey doublerunner good luck and thanks for trying!:clapping:

[storminsteve]

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Good mojo for you DR, you can make it through this. Good luck!

[baitstealer]

Good luck, doublerunner. Your doing a great event.

[storminsteve]

So how did you do DR? Hope you made it, did it rain uip there today?

[Doublerunner]

I survived it

After 21 miles I was ready to say I did it.
But the last 5 miles were torture....

A more detailed report will be in the near future

And a big Thanks to JakeF for being there with me for the whole walk

Thanks for being there my friend

And thanks to everyone here who gave so generously
:thumbsup:

[DarkSkies]

:clapping::clapping: :clapping:
I knew ya could do it bro!
WTG, it's and achievement you'll be proud of forever. And all the people who you were walking for, who can't be here to thank you...
well I think they would be real proud. :thumbsup::thumbsup:


Unfortunately I just today added another name to the list today of one of my very best friends aunts who lost her battle with lung cancer.


And that includes your friend's Aunt, so very sorry to hear that, John.

[blitzhunter]

Great going doublerunner!:clapping::clapping:

[strikezone31]

Good deal!:thumbsup:

[dogfish]

Glad to hear you made it, that's something to be proud of, guy. :lookhappy:

[Pebbles]

I don't think I could ever come up with enough words to thank you for all of your hard work. Not only in training for the walk but for the time and committment you gave to collect funds.

I truly believe that all the loved ones you carried with you were by your side every step you took.

Thank you so much. Hopefully one day there will be a cure so that other people and families will not have to endure what we have.

[ledhead36]

Good job!:clapping:

[jigfreak]

Way to get it done, doublerunner.:clapping:

[Doublerunner]

Here is my follow up letter that I am sending to all my supporters. I thought you all might like to see it. I apologize in advance for it being so long.

************************************************** *
Dear Stripers and Anglers members and administrators,

I am sending this letter to all the people who supported me in the 2010 Jimmy Fund Walk to conquer cancer. This is a re-cap of my thoughts and the events leading up to, during, and after the walk.

First, thank you so much for your support. I truly realized that we all can make a difference. I am but one man but the people that I have talked to and met are truly appreciative of my efforts and I can not do that without your support. I received so many pictures and letters of loved ones who have passed or who are battling cancer right now. Those pictures and letters moved me to great heights.

In my training leading up to the day of the walk the furthest I walked was 12 miles and for the next 3 days I had trouble walking normally. Once I got past 12 miles on this day I knew there was no turning back. I knew I would have physical issues but those will heal. And whenever I needed inspiration I would touch my pouch where I held the pictures and letters and I would close my eyes and think about their stories and faces and they would carry me on. These names and faces will continue on with me every year as I continue to do this. Hopefully they find cures and treatments real soon so I don’t have to put my old body through this for too much longer

My training. I basically had 6 weeks to train for this. In the beginning I was walking at night but in my business I have no air conditioning and I move a lot of heavy items on a daily basis so night training was just too hard. I switched to early mornings getting up at 4 am and walking most every day. This was much better except for having to adjust to going to bed at 8-9 pm. In the final week leading up to the walk I only trained twice and none after Wednesday

My sponsors. I reached out in many ways. I sent letters and emails to personal and business friends. I also contacted those who had donated in the past when my father did this walk. I was very fortunate to get a great response from many people as well as having 2 charity auctions held for my benefit from my fishing friends and also a meat shoot held on my behalf by my friends at the local Eagles club. As of this writing it is hard to determine exactly how much we have raised but I am estimating my own personal goal of $2,500 raised to fall a little short at about $2,300 and the total for our team, team SPIRIT, to be atleast $4,500. Team SPIRIT this year consisted of not only myself but also my wife Robin, sisters Kelly and Barbara, friend Jacob, son Ryan, niece Veronica and nephew Jack. And of course my Dad John Sr who was able to join us for the last mile of the walk. And even though she is not listed as a member of the team let’s not forget my Mom who has been behind the scenes of this event for 16 years now. Not asking for any recognition but always there to support my Dad with his efforts to raise money and in training. Always there on walk day to take pictures or provide food or drink or care

Walk day. The night before the walk I am anxious and having trouble falling asleep. It’s also Sept 11th, the anniversary of 9/11 and the TV shows all day are stories and footage of that day. The alarm goes off at 3:45 and I am up and in the shower. By 4:45 my wife and I are ready and head off to Hopkinton.

It’s dark when we arrive and the shuttles are not running yet so we walk from the parking area to the start line. This adds almost another mile to our walk. But the weather is perfect. It’s cool with cloud cover and a nice breeze. High’s of the day only expected to be around 70. We meet with my friend Jacob and we’re on our way at 6 am sharp. We’re all feeling good and strong and we are moving along well. The first 3 miles we averaged 18 minutes per mile which is excellent for me as I was averaging 20 minutes per mile in training. Perhaps it’s the excitement of the day but we’re not overdoing it and we’re all comfortable and moving along well. My friend Jacob is much younger than I and in great condition and I know I am holding him back from his pace but he doesn’t mind holding back and staying with me and I am glad he did. We go past my business in less than 2 hours at the 6 mile mark and everyone is still feeling good. I am starting to feel some burning on the balls of my right foot and at the 8 mile mark there is a rest area where I can get some medical attention and they apply moleskin to the balls of both feet to help prevent blisters and provide cushioning. This helps for a little while but a few miles later at Natick Center I stop again and ask them to apply more which they do and this really helps a lot. Along the way there are motivational posters and people cheering you on. There are also posters of children and adults fighting their own battle against cancer. And you can see many of the walkers have pictures and/or names of loved ones on their tee shirts. It’s a very moving experience. We are now closing in on Babson College where my son Ryan joins in with us. Great timing. His youth and energy give me a much needed lift and we cover the next 5 miles to Newton Lower Falls with ease and we stop at the rest area at mile 16 to grab some lunch and medical attention. I have the moleskin replaced on my feet and change into dry sox. As we’re leaving my Sister Kelly is just arriving. She started in Hopkinton an hour after us and is making great time. We head out knowing she will catch up to us shortly. We make the turn onto Commonwealth Ave and head towards the Heartbreak Hills stretch of the walk. As we finish those hills I am feeling a lot of tightness in the lower half of my body everywhere and my blisters have now also spread to my heels. It’s only a little further to Boston College and I figure I can get medical attention there. But, much to my surprise, there is nothing available there so we carry on and my sister Kelly joins us at Cleveland Circle. As the 5 of us head out from there my wife and I are having a lot of trouble walking. My wife’s arch on her right foot is severely cramping and she has a blister bleeding through her sox and sneaker on her left foot. But she fights through it. Her tenacity and willpower is amazing. But we are lagging behind the others. It’s at this point, about 22 miles into the walk, that I am on the brink. But something inside me takes over and I decide that if I am going to be sore that I mine as well get this over as quickly as possible and I summon up the ability to walk as fast as I can. Before I know it I have passed my teammates and Ryan joins up with me and Jacob stays right with us. We are now starting to pass others and we’re looking for safe areas to pass when the sidewalk is congested with too many walkers. The pain is constant but we’re now on a mission. We motor past Fenway Park and turn the corner onto Boylston St. We’re getting close. Just a little ways down the road we meet my Dad and he walks the last mile or so in with us. This is very special as my Dad has done the whole walk for the last 15 years. But the last mile bogs down with the amount of walkers all getting to the end and with the road roped off and narrowed down to funnel the walkers to the finish line the last mile takes much too long and there is too much standing around in traffic. During this slowdown my body is now starting to stiffen up and all the aches and pains are magnified. We make it through the finish line and there is a tremendous release of satisfaction and joy. There are volunteers there clapping and cheering for us and to award us our medals. There’s a band playing and people enjoying the celebration. But all I want to do is get off my feet and get treatment. My parents have brought their vehicles in to a local parking garage and so we all head back to their house for a celebration. It feels good to get off my feet and get my sneakers off. Unfortunately I have 2 large blisters on the balls of my feet but the worst are my heels. Each one has a blister about the size of an egg. On the drive back my wife gets ill and we pull over so she can get some fresh air. I feel so bad for her. We’re all nursing our aches and pains but getting home and getting some good food and drink helps us all to feel better and we all get some treatment for our ills. It’s now 3 days later as of this writing and we’re all recovering. We’re having a lot of soreness and some funky movements when we walk but we’re healing fast and getting better.

This year was a record year for the walk. Over 8,500 registered walkers and approx 7 million dollars raised. I am proud to have been a part of it. The real heroes and warriors are those who deal with this every day. Those afflicted with cancer and those treating us. They say that with the advances made in research that we may find a cure within our lifetime. That day can not come soon enough

Respectfully,
John and Robin Meadows
9/14/2010

[cowherder]

Here is my follow up letter that I am sending to all my supporters. I thought you all might like to see it. I apologize in advance for it being so long.

************************************************** *
Dear Stripers and Anglers members and administrators,

First, thank you so much for your support. I truly realized that we all can make a difference. I am but one man but the people that I have talked to and met are truly appreciative of my efforts and I can not do that without your support. I received so many pictures and letters of loved ones who have passed or who are battling cancer right now. Those pictures and letters moved me to great heights.

Respectfully,
John and Robin Meadows
9/14/2010


Fantastic, I truly beleive that too, that we can all make a difference. Kudos.:clapping:

[JakeF]

John, it was a pleasure to walk with you. Looking forward to next year!!

Thanks again to everyone here at S&A for your support Team Spirit and the Jimmy Fund. You guys are great! :clapping: