IBS
Focuses on Community
The Long, LONG,
Walk.
I am a computer
nerd. Sad but true, I spend most of my time sitting in front of the
computer and working on client materials, but it is what I most enjoy.
I have the pleasure of spending this time primarily with two individuals,
our Director of Technologies, Marc Liljegren, and Graphic and Web Designer,
Janice Eden. But it wasn't until this summer that I truly realized how
special they were. They, by choice, walked along side of me 60 miles
from Ann Arbor to Farmington Hills in order to help find a cure for
breast cancer.
You may ask yourself,
what makes a person like me want to do a walk like this? For me it is
purely selfish. I was tired of losing the people I love. For the last
ten years I have lost at least one person a year to cancer. Starting
with my grandmother in 1992 (ovarian) through my father, age 50, who
died to stomach cancer. However, it was my love for my stepbrother who
not only has lost a father but also watches as his mother struggles
with her second bout of breast cancer that made this walk so important
to me.
We walked the 60
miles with 5,000 other courageous people to raise money for breast cancer.
The net proceeds supported the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade's mission
to fund access to care and find a cure for breast cancer, with a focus
on medically underserved women. Our team raised over $6,000, and as
a group 5.2 Million was raised. Again, I have to thank our tremendous
clients and friends for their emotional and financial support. We couldn't
have been prouder to wear their logos on our backs and on our tents.
Honestly, I thought
60 miles… what is the big deal, I have been walking all my life.
How wrong I was. It was probably one of the greatest struggles of my
life to keep going (especially since we didn't think we needed to train
before hand). But I think all three of us would all agree that it was
one of the greatest victories as well.
We had devoted so
much time and effort to the Avon 3-Day, when it was over we all felt
a little empty. So this summer we have picked another event that we
can all really get behind...
The Wish-A-Mile
300 Bicycle Tour 2003, which is being held July 24-27. This is a 300
mile bike ride from Cheboygan to Detroit to benefit the Make-A-Wish
Foundation.
Make-A-Wish's goal
is to create a reprieve for the terminally ill child from the everyday
battles with their illness - the hospital visits, tests and long hours
of treatments. They strive to center positive attention on the child
and share the caring in our communities. Make-A-Wish Foundation is responsible
for all expenses associated with the wish, including airfare, hotel
accommodations, and spending money. Whenever possible, the immediate
family is included in the wish experience to provide the family a chance
to enjoy their time together.
Wishes range from
puppies and computers to vacations on warm, sandy beaches and meetings
with a world famous mouse and his goofy friends. The kids' imaginations
are their only guide. And they always pay close attention to special
circumstances or needs of the wish children.
We have been blessed
to have friend and long-time client Tom Demerly, from Bikesport (bikesportmichigan.com)
to provide guidance during the difficult training period. So we hope
to be better prepared this time around!
We are always looking
for more people to come with us, so if you are interested let us know.
We expect it to be a challenge, but great fun! If you would like to
help make a child's wish come true, but don't want to ride the distance
we are always looking for financial sponsors as well.
We will keep you
posted on our great summer adventure…
