The Run to Cure Cancer

70,000 YOUNG ADULTS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Steve Cannon

Take a moment and remember your college years. Your in your late teens, early twenties, not a care in the world…remember??? What about YOUR children, do you have kids entering that awesome, carefree, possibilities endless phase of life? Now imagine YOU at that age, or your kids now being told THEY have Cancer. I cannot even imagine the shock and then the reality of not having a clue what the hell to do. Your donation to The Run to Cure Cancer helps fund LIVESTRONG initiatives like Planet Cancer.

From Livestrong.org…Planet Cancer was founded by young adults in their 20s; either in the midst of or barely out of treatment for cancer. Not only had they endured the incredible indignity of a cancer diagnosis in what should have been the best years of health, they had also all suffered from an immense void in services and support for young cancer patients. The majority of the other patients they encountered were separated by mental, emotional and physical lifetimes. As young adults with cancer, they felt that they had fallen through the cracks, and they wanted to reach out to others having the same experience.

Every year, nearly 70,000 young adults between 18 and 40 will be diagnosed with cancer in the U.S., representing nearly 7 percent of all cancer diagnoses. The young adults served by Planet Cancer are marginalized in a medical infrastructure that does not have a “home” for them, lacking specific resources geared toward their unique needs and issues. Survival rates for this age group have not improved in over 30 years, yet the medical community still doesn’t recognize young adults as a specific group in need of unique medical, emotional and psychosocial tools.

Planet Cancer exists to provide a critical community of peer support and advocacy for young adults with cancer.

We’re here to connect young adults with each other, to empower them and to help them access support and resources they wouldn’t have known about otherwise. We’re also here to raise our voices in the medical and research communities on behalf of young adults; to say: Young adults do get cancer. We do have unique needs. Our survival rates are not improving. Don’t let us fall through the cracks for one more minute.

Planet Cancer is a LIVESTRONG initiative

Your donation changes/saves these peoples lives!!!!

Filed under: Uncategorized, Running, Livestrong | Tagged: Lance Armstrong, running, training, livestrong, inspirational, ultrarunning, cancer, ultramarathon, ashton kutcher, president obama, Ellen Degeneres, run, train | Leave a Comment »

YOU Are Changing…Saving People’s Lives

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Steve Cannon

When you make a donation to The Run to Cure Cancer, I wonder if you realize just what you are doing. I mean….it is an incredible thing to dip into your own pocket and give to something that does not directly benefit you or your family. That act in and of itself is something to be very proud of!! It struck me though just the other day that I wondered if any of you REALLY know what you are doing. Your donation improves and in some cases saves the life of someone diagnosed with Cancer. People are living longer, better, STRONGER because of YOU. Please take a moment and let that sink in. Someone, somewhere who you don’t know and will probably never meet will have a better quality of life after Cancer because of YOU!! In 2010 Nearly 29 Million Dollars went to the numerous programs that grassroot fundraisers like you help to fund. Over the next couple months we’ll be sharing with you some of those programs so you can see first hand the gift YOU are giving. The video is a piece on a program called “Livestrong at the YMCA”.

From Survivors everywhere, Thank YOU. YOU are amazing

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Lance Armstrong, running, training, livestrong, marathon, inspirational, ultrarunning, cancer, ultramarathon, president obama, Chicago, YMCA | Leave a Comment »

G8 and Nato Summit To Continue Thanks to The Run to Cure Cancer

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Steve Cannon

THE RUN TO CURE CANCER HAS BEEN MOVED BACK EXACTLY 1 WEEK TO MAY 27th!!!

I have to admit….I am not up to date on all things politics. Imagine my surprise when I received the following call….

Lady – ” Is this Mr. Steve Cannon?”… Me- ”Yes it is”…. Lady – “Please hold” ……. Man’s voice “Hey there Mr. Cannon, this is President Obama and I have Mr. Putin, Mr. Wulff and Stephen Harper here on the phone with me”

Now I know that Vladimir Putin is the Russian President and Stephen Harper is the Canadian president but wasn’t sure who Mr. Wulff was (but from his accent when he said “hello” guessing Germany). So the conversation continues….

President – “Not sure if your aware of the G8 summit coming up in May here in Chicago ” (I wasn’t) ” It’s kind of a big deal and it ends the weekend of May the 19,20th” … (Uh oh, that’s the kickoff date of The Run to Cure Cancer, bummer, these guys are going to need to move the G8 Summit to another weekend I’m thinking).

President – “Not sure if your aware that me and the rest of the guys are pretty avid runners” (I wasn’t, but Vladimir Putin looks like he’s got some running game). “This Run to Cure Cancer thing you got going that weekend is going to be HUGE!! something like 10,000 runners planning on showing up it sounds like” …..ME – “That’s the plan Mr. President. You and the guys thinking about taking a break from the Summit and heading down to the lake for a mile or two??” (I figure why not ask. If we get 4 or 5 world leaders on the run that’s good pub right?!?!)

President – ” You know Steve (first name basis now) we’d love to but the secret service aren’t real keen on it so we’ve called to ask a favor”…(Can’t hurt to have a few world leaders owing you one) …. Me – “What can I do to help fellas”

President – “Well, me and the boys were thinking that we really want to come join the run since it seems like the coolest thing we have ever heard of but we need things to chill out a bit, SO if you could just push the run back 1 week I’m thinking that most of the world leaders would be grateful enough to show up and throw down a few miles.” …. Me thinking to myself “Hmmmmm, what to do”….Me – out loud - ”I tell you what Mr. President, if you can get Michelle to run ( I actually thinks she’s the cooler of the two. Did u see her knocking out those pushups on the Ellen Show), you got a deal.”…. (I can hear some Russian and German in the background)….. President - ” You got yourself a deal Steve. We’ll see you May 27th. Thank you” …and just like that it was over.

So mark your calendars for Memorial Day weekend ..which now gives you an extra day to play in Chicago …. and who knows….maybe even a few miles with a world leader or two!!!

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: cancer, Chicago, G8 summit, Lance Armstrong, michelle obama, president obama, running | Leave a Comment »

Cancer ….. Leave The Kids Alone!!!!

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Steve Cannon

How can someone you have never met have such a deep effect on you??? Last week we were introduced to Eli Horn, a young boy from Ames Iowa who was in a big time fight with Cancer!! By all accounts Eli was a inspiration to all he met…AND to all of us who had not met him but had read his story and saw his beautiful face. Children have the most beautiful spirit. All they know is fun, joy and Love. Even when faced with something as challenging as Cancer they retain all these qualities. Cancer can take the body, but the soul it cannot touch. Eli and so many others like him show us that. It is their gift to us. Just one day after learning of Eli’s story and sharing that with all of you last week, I received the following message….

“Eli Horn
Completely unexpectedly by any of us, Eli met Jesus this morning. The nurse checked on him around 5:30am and found him unresponsive and with no pulse. They tried very hard to bring him back, but he had already slipped away to be with God. I will update more later when I can. Thank you to everyone who prayed for our brave fighter for all of these years. We are so thankful for all of you.”

I try my best to focus on what I believe to be true…..that Eli is now free of a body that could not contain such a HUGE soul and that he plays now in a place of complete freedom. That he, like all the rest of the people taken from us, are still here, just in a different form. I admit however that I am selfish, and I don’t want them to go. They should not HAVE to go!! I want to play with them, run with them and watch them lead long, full lives.

His Mother says “We are so thankful for all of you” …but it is us that are thankful. The Eli’s of the world remind us of what is important and how greatful we should be for our health and the health of those we love. Thank you Eli. We’ll run for and WITH you this May….

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: cancer, livestrong, marathon, running, ultramarathon | Leave a Comment »

Why “The Run” – Eli Horn’s Story

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Steve Cannon

A wonderful person in Ames, Iowa (Alison Doyle) shared this with me. With her permission I am sharing some of young Eli Horn’s story with you. It is impossible to even comprehend this kid’s strength and courage!! Hopefully someday soon, no one, especially the kids, will ever have to fight this battle again. Eli is in the middle of this battle right NOW… let’s send him all the good mojo we can!!

Elijah (Eli) Horn from Ames, Iowa was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma on June 29th, 2007 at around the age of three and a half. He had a massive tumor growing in his body that went from his pelvis, up through his abdomen, and up into his chest. Eli was being treated in Iowa City at the University of Iowa Childr…en’s Hospital until November of 2007. The plan in Iowa City was like most plans around the country, to give Eli 5 rounds of chemo, surgically remove whatever tumor is left in his abdomen, and then do tandem autologous stem cell transplants. It is a very dangerous and extremely high dose chemotherapy that basically wipes out all of your body’s stem cells, then you rescue their body by transplanting them with their own stem cells you harvested earlier in the process. We came to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City in October of 2007 for the hands of Dr. LaQuaglia who performed Eli’s surgery to remove the tumor from around his aorta, his kidney arteries, and everywhere else the tumor was still found. People come from all over the world to have Dr. LaQuaglia do their Neuroblastoma surgery. He is an amazing surgeon. During the time we were here, we learned about Sloan’s alternative to stem cell transplants.

The team in NYC uses 3F8 antibody treatments that highlight the Neuroblastoma cells and makes your own body attack the cancer. Even though it is considered more “experimental”, it has a good 20 year track record and we feel that there is much more experience with this cancer here in NYC. Eli finished 7 rounds of chemotherapy and 14 rounds of radiation to his leg and abdomen before proceeding with the 3F8 antibody, which cleared the cancer in his body. He stayed cancer free until February of 2009 when a very small Neuroblastoma tumor was found on his brain. A surgery was performed by Dr. Souweidane to remove the tumor and insert a port into Eli’s head so that another antibody called 8H9 could be administered to his brain and spine. After an additional 2 rounds of chemo and 17 rounds of full cranial and spine radiation, Eli went through the 8H9 treatment. 8H9 is a lot like 3F8, but geared specifically for the brain. Eli is currently NED (no evidence of disease) and continues to alternate between 3F8 treatment and low dose oral chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, due to all of the chemo and radiation that Eli went through to get rid of his Neuroblastoma, Eli developed secondary leukemia (AML). The plan to beat AML is to go through more chemo to get into remission at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, and then undergo a bone marrow transplant from a donor out of the national marrow donor program (www.bethematch.org) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. While in New York City, we are blessed to be able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House of NY, the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world. The House holds 83 families and is at capacity nearly every night. Many of these families are here with a child with Neuroblastoma and have come from all over the world to be treated at Sloan. We have met countless friends in NYC and have a very special bond with many of the children and parents of the Ronald McDonald House. So while we miss our home in Iowa, we are thrilled to be getting great treatment in New York. We thank you for your prayers and if you would like a “Prayer Warrior in Eli’s Army” bracelet to wear or give to someone to be a daily reminder to pray for Eli, simply send an e-mail to bracelets@elihorn.com and you will immediately receive a reply with instructions on how to obtain a free bracelet.

You can follow this incredible boy on Facebook. Eli Horn. Peace to you too Lil Man!!!

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: cancer, Lance Armstrong, marathon, running, ultramarathon | 1 Comment »

COMING SOON

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Steve Cannon

Howdy fellow cancer fighters. Things are happening and happening fast!! Thought I’d drop some updates on ya. It became clear during my run across Iowa how important HELP is. Organizational help, logistics help, sponsors help, fundraising help, help to stand up out of bed, etc. For the run across Iowa I tried to handle almost all of that. HUGE mistake on all counts. That was 11 Marathons in 11 Days. This is a WHOLE different animal. Our fundraising goals are bigger (250k) and the Run is bigger…40 Marathons 40 Days (damn that’s a long ways). Last week I humbly asked for help, hoping a few friends would come to my aid. The turnout blew me away!! Our Cancer killing team is now made up of well over a dozen amazing folks, and that is just here in Des Moines. With peeps in California, Colorado, Chicago and a couple out east as well, we are poised to do great things with this event.

So here are a couple things that we are working on (and maybe you can help on as well). The Run to Cure Cancer Facebook Page has around 1500 likes currently…our goal is to get that to 10,000 as fast as possible. Have you been to the page and “liked” it?? Will you invite all your FB friends to do the same?? Are you connected to someone that has the ability to reach hundreds of thousands thru twitter or FB that would give us a shout?? If you do that you change a life!!

Our Monetary goal is $250,000 for Livestrong…and I think we can go higher. HOW??? Soon we will be changing the DONATE tab above to DONATE/BUY A Mile. The Run will be 1037 miles and we are allowing 1037 people to buy a mile for $200. That’s over $200,000 right there!! You’ll own a mile of the run and get a custom Run to Cure Cancer T shirt to prove it…. hopefully you’ll show up and RUN a mile (or much more) also!! How about having your business logo plastered on the back of the support vehicle?? How cool would that be?!?! 40 businesses will have the opportunity to OWN a day of the run for $5240 (that’s $200 x 26.2 miles). That’s another $209,600 right there. You think we can find 40 businesses that would want to be a part of this between Des Moines, Chicago, Milwaukee etc?? I DO!! Add that to our individual mile owners and we’re over $400,000. Throw in all the $10, $25, $50 and $100 doantions that will be made and BANG, we’ve raised a half million bucks!!

Alone..it’s probably not possible..but I am not alone. I have YOU!! More importantly, THEY have YOU!! Your brothers, Your sisters, Your Moms and Dads, Your Chilldren, people you will never meet or know fighting this disease…They have YOU!!

Share this with every single person you know…what we do today changes someone’s tomorrow. Thank you

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: ashton kutcher, cancer, Lance Armstrong, livestrong, marathon, running | 3 Comments »

THE MESSAGE

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Steve Cannon

Please share The Run To Cure Cancer 2012 with all you know. Together we can end Cancer for good.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: cancer, livestrong, running, ultrarunning | Leave a Comment »

A Note…..From a friend named Training

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Steve Cannon

You might hate me. You might think I’m totally unreasonable. You might even curse me under your breath, when you think I’m not listening (I’m listening). But what you need to hear is this – I BELIEVE IN YOU. I believe what is great is ahead of you. And even though you might not thank me, that’s okay. I’m not in it for the glory. I’m in it for you. I AM TRAINING.

We are all capable of greatness...chase your dreams whatever they may be

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: running, training, livestrong, marathon, ultrarunning, cancer | Leave a Comment »

GOT SKLZ??????

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Steve Cannon

Enjoying a great time here in Denver with friends. Lots of big hills to run!! Lung busting, leg burning, beautiful vistas out here!!! Kina Miller has been incredible in helping with sponsorship for the 2012 Run to Cure Cancer. A highlight of this trip has been meeting her peeps from SKLZ. (www.sklz.com). Great, fun company that handles all types of sport specific training tools; strength, conditioning and recovery. As it relates to running they have some AWESOME stretching and recovery aids that I am psyched to try out. It’s been amazing to see how generous and excited these companies are for next years run. I sometimes forget for a moment that this horrible disease touches all our lives in one way or another. We all have a friend or family member who has had to deal with it. In some cases it is even more personal and we find ourselves in the battle. The 2012 Run to Cure Cancer is gaining steam thanks to all of you and our growing list of fantastic sponsors. Share this blog, join our facebook page (The Run to Cure Cancer), and come run with us any time you like starting next May in Chicago. Together we’ll beat this disease. That will be an amazing day!!! Thanks SKLZ for joining us in the journey….

LIVESTRONG TODAY

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: cancer, Lance Armstrong, marathon, running, ultramarathon | Leave a Comment »

Livestrong….Playstrong

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Steve Cannon

What a unreal day we had here in Des Moines on Saturday. The first annual Survivor Cross was held and over 170 Brave Souls pushed, pulled, pedalled and sometimes THREW their bikes over the tuffest 7 mile course you’ll ever find a bike race on!! These video’s should give you just a little taste of how strong these folks were and what a great time was being had in the mud, creek crossings and hills of Iowa!!!

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: adventure, cancer, cyclocross, Lance Armstrong, running | Leave a Comment »

The Run to Cure Cancer