Carolyn Ruppert, a friend of Maggie’s, has made a tremendous commitment to raise $3,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation by participating in the LiveStrong Challenge on October 25, 2008.  This grueling challenge consists of a 90 mile bike ride followed by a 5k run.  Additionally, she has very thoughtfully dedicated her efforts in honor of Maggie.  It’s an amazingly kind gesture, one that has touched both Maggie and me.

If you are interested in helping her meet her goal to raise $3,000 to help support the fight against cancer, you can pledge your donation by following this link.

Carolyn wrote this letter to announce her intentions to ride this year:

Yes, I am doing it again! My passion for finding a cure for cancer has signed me up for another LiveStrong 90 mile bike ride and 5k run in Austin, TX on October 25th and 26th, 2008. I have had too many family members and friends survive or succumb to this horrible disease. The statistics are mind boggling – more than 10 million Americans are currently living with cancer, and more than 1.3 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone.

These numbers will not stop us though from closing the gap of what we know and what we can do in fighting cancer. It is important to continue progress toward beating this disease.

Last year, I rode in honor of my friend Lori Grady who was diagnosed with colon cancer. I am happy to report that after surgery, chemotherapy and a good fight, Lori is doing well and her last PET scan was clear.

This year, I am riding in honor of Maggie Weaver. Maggie is an amazing woman with an infectious smile. She was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer at the age of 31 in January 2007. Maggie has not let the diagnosis or the pessimism of her doctors stop her life’s progress. Actually, I can’t even tell if it has slowed her down! During the past 20 months of close to constant treatment, Maggie has gotten her law degree, passed the bar and started her own law practice in Austin. The amazing advancements in medicine have brought her this far but last month Maggie got some terrible news; her disease had spread from her liver to both her lungs and her mid chest. Maggie and people like her need new advancements in chemotherapy. The treatments available to her now are not doing enough. Research funded by organizations like Lance Armstrong Foundation and prayers are her best options right now. I hope that you can help on both accounts.

Maggie continues her fight so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. If you would like to know more about Maggie’s story, you can go to www.thumpers-hole.net.

Please help in the fight against cancer. I have committed to raise $3,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and to continue the progress and mission of inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer. I know this goal can be reached by your support. You can make your tax deductible donation online by October 23, 2008 or if you prefer snail mail, there is a donation form to download. If you cannot download the donation form, please let me know (carolyn.ruppert@gmail.com) and I can either email one to you or put in the mail.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, and understanding how important this cause and event are to me. Together we can make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Best always~
Carolyn

And from Maggie and I, as always, thank you for all your kind words and prayers.