Pablove

Childhood cancer is devastating for all who encounter it but especially for the parents of the child facing it. The Pablove Foundation is a light born out of this dark disease. Pablo lost his battle to cancer at an early age and his Dad is now doing something about it.

October 10, 2009, Pablo’s dad, Jeff Castelaz, along with his cycling coach, Rick Babington, will embark on a 3,100 mile ride spanning the entire US. They will start in St. Augustine, FL and in the course of 30 days on their bikes, make their way to Pablo’s grave at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles.

Pablove Across America is Jeff’s show of commitment to fighting kids’ cancer—and his need to wring out his soul of its sadness. Along the way, he’ll visit children’s hospitals to connect with cancer kids just like Pablo. He’ll promote cancer awareness on radio, television and in the written press. Anything to drive home the mission of the Pablove Foundation, and to keep Pablo’s spirit and boundless energy alive.

Pablove Across America is about standing up, hammering the pedals, speaking out and FIGHTING back—to raise awareness that kids get cancer, families need help and hope—hope not only to find a cure, but in the day-to-day grind of treatment.

Learn more HERE

High Heel-A-Thon

Leave it to the Brits to put a new spin on a great cause. You’re not an athlete unless you can run 1.2 miles in heels. Yes, men included. All the better, you’re doing it to raise money for breast cancer!

Check it!
http://www.highheelathon.co.uk/

Athlete Giving It!

I have posted some fun videos on here of athletes Participating in some odd sports but this one takes the cake!

Is that video real? I am a caveman and would have no idea how camera tricks work but it seems a bit insane that someone could or would actually do that! I guess it is not any dumber than Kayaking. Sometimes the best thing an athlete gan give us is a little entertainment!

Now get back to work!

Good Times for a Good Cause

Last night I went to a fundraiser/silent auction for First Descents. FD Alum, and all around awesome person, Mateo, gave a great speech about what FD has meant to him. It is so powerful to hear someone speak from the heart about what camp has meant to them and how something as simple as kayaking for a week can change someone’s life forever. Right now we don’t have the cure for cancer but we do now how to fix people. When I think about all the things in life that have made me who I am and happy it has basically been adventure therapy. That is what FD offers to survivors. I don’t think anyone can explain it any better than Beemer, Please watch this video:

This year First Descents had come up with an awesome new program to raise money for campers: Team First Descents. The concept is this: You pick the event you are most passionate about, literally anything you want. Register for team FD Once you are signed up you send an email to people in your network telling them what you are doing and why. Ask your friends for a donation to support young adults with cancer, show em Beemer’s video if they ask why. As a team First Descents member you will receive an amazing team kit to compete in. We have cycling kit for cyclists and triathletes and Dri Fit Tops for everything else. Be creative with the events you choose. Any event works as long as you are passionate about it. For Example I would love to see someone take on: Competitive Eating, Arm Wrestling, Dancing and Shuffle Board. All of the money raised will go directly to changing the lives of young adults with cancer.

Stages

I am so excited about the Stages Project. It combines my 2 biggest passions with philanthropy. Lance Armstrong and Nike have collaborated with some of the biggest names in the art world to create pieces of art that are currently being displayed in Paris. The works of art will be sold with the proceeds being donated to Livestrong. Have a look:

Leave the Light on

At First Descents I have seen first hand just how devastating cancer is for a young adult and few people have been hit harder than Eric Galvez. I spent a week with him recently teaching him how to kayak and his story was one of the most moving I have ever heard. Eric, like so many young adults before their cancer, was living a great life. He was athletic, outgoing and giving back though his work as a physical therapist. That all changed when they found a large tumor in his brain. Suddenly, Eric found himself being treated by his coworkers and fighting to regain control of the life he had recently enjoyed.

What made it so moving was his outlook on life everyday since his diagnosis. His cancer hit with such force that it would have derailed anyone else but Eric continues to defy his cancer each day of his life and live well beyond it. It’s a lesson in strength that we can all benefit from.

I have said it so many times before. Sometimes, the biggest gift an athlete can offer is some inspiration. Eric does just that.

The Time is Nau

Nau is a really progressive clothing company. Not only do they make really cool looking clothes that are made with organic/recycled materials they also donate 2% of each sale to a charitable cause. Consumers actually choose where the 2% goes within several pre-selected causes. F

This year Nau is launching their first annual Grant for Change. It is a $10,000 grant for those who instigate lasting, positive change in their communities. One of the categories is for ATHLETES who are challenging assumptions about what it means to move through the world. Nominations are open until August 17th and voting is open until August 31st. This is a really cool and progressive idea form a really cool and progressive company, take some time and check it out!

Here is a video about Nau sponsored athlete making a difference:

Not if this is real…

But it is totally awesome!

What do you guys think?

One For Father’s Day

This is one of the greatest stories I have every heard:

Now call your dad and tell him how much you love him.

It can all change in an instant.

One cause that is near and dear to my heart is spinal injury research. I have had 3 friends sustain spinal injuries and loose the use of their legs through ski injuries. While I was working as an athlete manager for Jeep a good friend of mine, Tara Llanes, lost the use of her legs in a cycling accident. As an athlete I cannot imagine anything more terrifying than sustaining that kind of an injury. In spite of my dislike of ska music a Mighty Mighty Bosstone’s lyric keeps crossing my mind: “I’m not a coward, I’ve just never been tested, i like to think if I was I would pass.” I cannot imagine the ways a spinal injury would test you. The stories of athletes who have suffered them and soldiered on amaze and inspire me. Here is a story of someone who has been tested and who has passed with flying colors!

Josh Dueck was an up and coming Canadian skier. I met Josh on the Nor-Am tour (skiing’s minor leagues, one step down from World Cup) in the late 90’s we were both mogul skiers. The video below is of Josh telling his story in his own words. It is rough stuff and there are a few swear words:

Now fast forward to this spring where Josh is a Sit-Ski World Champion:

I am so impressed and inspired by Josh’s story of perseverance, courage, ability to suffer such a great loss and come out of it a World Champion.

Here is more video of Josh ripping it up! Watching him ski powder at the end of the video simply amazing!

Thanks for reading

mike