It's been nearly five years...

...since I was diagnosed with cancer.  B cell follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma, to be exact.  Oct. 1, 2009.  A date I won't forget.  Nor do I want to.

Family and Friends,

OK.  Most of you know the story.  Riding my bike from Layton, UT to Logan, UT to see the fireworks with my family on July 3, 2009.  Hit by a car.  5 broken ribs and a punctured lung.  Some lymph nodes that were a little larger than they should have been.  Tests.  Scans.  Surgery and a biopsy.  And then, on Oct. 1, 2009 at Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT, Dr. Martha Glenn confirmed what we knew- it was cancer.  But, that day she told us a lot more, and we've learned a lot since.  And, here we are five years later.  I'm still alive and healthy.  I still have cancer.  It's incurable, and pretty much untreatable right now.  It probably won't go away, and most likely will transform from indolent (slow growing) to aggressive one day, but then it can be treated with chemotherapy.

So, I have every reason to care about cancer fundraising and research and prevention and education.  Those are the things that Huntsman Cancer Foundation Institute and Hospital do so well.  And that's why I raise funds for Huntsman every year.  And, yes, that's why I e-mail you every year and ask you to help me raise funds.

5 years ago, before I was diagnosed with cancer, I decided to use my cycling addiction to help me raise funds for Huntsman through their Huntsman Hometown Heroes fundraising program.  My mother had just been diagnosed with uterine cancer.  So, while she was battling cancer, I decided to battle it with my bike and with the funds of those who would be generous enough to donate.  Since that point, I simply have decided I will be a Hometown Hero for the rest of my life.  Cycling.  Fundraising.  Battling.

I know, I know..."what's your point, Todd?"  Well, plain and simple- I NEED YOUR HELP.  More to the point, I need your money.  Actually, what I need, and what I'm asking for, is your generosity.  I need it personally (I'm a Huntsman patient, my next 6 month checkup is in November), and so do all the others that are being treated at Huntsman Cancer Hospital, and all the clinicians and researchers and medical staff at the hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute.

In June of this year (for the third year in a row) I rode my bike 670 miles from Reno, NV to Salt Lake City, UT with 11 other cyclist friends of mine.  All in five days' worth of riding.  Then, three weeks from tomorrow, I'll be racing my tenth LOTOJA Classic- 206 miles from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole, WY.  I'll be on the road with over 1,000 racers, but also with 74 other Hometown Heroes who have signed up to raise funds for Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

That's 670 miles from Reno to SLC, and then 206 miles from Logan to Jackson.  Almost 900 miles. On a bike. Pedaling.  I'll do the "hard work".  Will you do the rest? Will you help me and consider donating whatever you can to Huntsman Hometown Heroes and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation?  The donation may be tax deductible (talk to a tax expert), but I can tell you it will certainly prolong your life and buy you some blessings in heaven (well, maybe not, but it will buy my eternal love and gratitude, and isn't that almost as good?)  :-)

If you feel you can donate (any amount, that's up to you), you can click the link below and go directly to my LOTOJA Hometown Heroes donation page. I choose to roll my Huntsman 140 fundraising into my LOTOJA fundraising so I only have to ask friends and family once, and not pester them over and over (too much).  You can donate via credit card right on the page.  Or, if you'd like to donate via check or cash, you can send them to me and I'll get them to Huntsman.  My home address is:

1597 E. Ridge Rd.

Layton, UT 84040

Please click here if you'd like to donate: http://lotoja.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1104370&supid=306528814

In closing, let me thank you for reading to this point.  Even if you choose not to donate, or can't at this time, know how much I appreciate your love, support and interest.

I thank you all in advance for anything you feel you can do. I’ll continue to post updates of fundraising progress on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/toddjhandy), my blog (http://www.toddhandy.blogspot.com/), and via Twitter (http://twitter.com/toddhandy).

Thank you for your relationship with me, and for your love and support!

Much love,

Todd

Ride From Reno 2014- Day 3 (Riding Angry)

Today I rode angry.

Here's the deal.  I wanted to send a clear message to cancer, my cancer, that I'm the one in charge here, not it.  No mutant cells in my body get to tell me what to do, how to do it, and when/where to do it.  I'm the one in charge.  I determine what hurts, when, and for how long. And today I wanted to be in charge and send that clear message.

We summited five peaks today.  You can see from the elevation below that we climbed 6,243 feet- some good amounts of climbs.  And, each time we climbed, I rode to the front as quickly as I could and attacked the climbs.  I wanted to hurt. I wanted to leave it all on each climb. I wanted cancer to be scared of me! This disease takes so many people, and hurts so many more.  I've been blessed that I've not been too affected yet, but who knows what the future holds?  There are several with us who've also been affected personally, and who've had radiation, chemo, surgery, etc.  And even more so, there are names on lists that nearly all of us are carrying that honor those who have won their battles, others who've lost theirs, and a whole bunch who are currently battling.

I've been blessed. I'm riding this ride with cancer- but it's not stopping me now, and it's not going to.  So, yeah- I'm angry.  At cancer.  But that's it.  I'm blessed, I recognize the Lord's hand in my life and my family's, and we'll take what comes. I just didn't want cancer to think I wasn't paying attention.  I am.  Got that?  I AM IN CHARGE!

Here are my stats for the day.  A handful of podium finishes and strong times.  Lost a KOM to one of my new friends, Jon Rose, by 36 seconds.  GOOD FOR YOU  JON!

Much love,
Todd

Ride From Reno 2014- Day 2 (This Ride Is A Metaphor For Cancer!)

Well, today was "interesting", to say the least.  We had cold, rain, wind, and even snow (though it didn't stick). We also had some sun, and a pretty difficult day.

As the title of this post states, this ride is a perfect metaphor for cancer.  You can have all kinds of people supporting and cheering you on, but YOU and only YOU can turn the crank time after time, day after day. Only YOU can get from point A to point B.  There's no option to quit, and no option to just coast. You have to work hard, be mentally tough, deal with adversities, enjoy the tailwinds, and just hang on and "get 'er done."

Today's ride was that metaphor to a tee.  We started out with overcast and cold temps, only to get sprinkles and then more full blown rain.  At the top of the first full climb we actually had snow flurries.  We had some folks not feeling well, all of us feeling cold, and a difficult headwind and crosswind at times.

But we also had some tailwinds, some downhills, incredible support and the purpose of this ride- to work hard and raise funds for cancer research.  So, that doesn't afford us the option to quit- we keep riding, keep turning the crank, keep getting back on the bike.

Just before we climbed to the top of Austin, the sun came out. Many of us were taking off arm warmers, gloves, etc.  Then at the top of Austin the wind was blowing into us pretty fiercely, and that just made it incredibly cold.  Most of us ate then then sat in our cars to get warm. When the time came to get out and descend, none of us felt really good about it- we were all shivering uncontrollably and not all that excited to descend and get cold all over again. I personally had to fight "speed wobble" all the way down as I couldn't stop from shivering, and my handlebars were chattering back and forth.  We then climbed Bob Scott and descended again.

We did have some times of tailwind, where we were sitting up riding 25+ MPH with heart rates in the 100-110 range.  I'll take that!

As we flew into Eureka, we realized that we will be starting in 43 degree weather tomorrow morning, in shadow, as we climb Pinto Summit. But, we've had one tough day, we can conquer another.

I love this crew I ride with, and the support folks are the best.  You couldn't ask for higher caliber people, and I'm glad to call them all friends and "family."


I had some podium finishes on Strava, and came oh so close to a KOM!  Check it out...

Day 2 is in the books!

Much love,

Todd

Ride From Reno 2014 Day 1 Recap

OK, so here goes- the 2014 edition of the Ride From Reno is officially on!

For those who aren't familiar, the Ride From Reno was started by my dear friend, Jeff Warren, 13 years ago when he finished his cancer treatment.  He had head and neck, stage IV cancer, and did more courses of chemo than I care to mention.  He wanted to do something to celebrate beating the odds, so being an avid cyclist he decided to ride from his home town of Reno, NV to the steps of Huntsman Cancer Institute/Hospital where he did his treatment.  Since then it's grown, and in 2010 Huntsman Cancer Foundation put their support behind it and we've grown it to a healthy fundraiser- raising $300K this year, with over 400 riders registered across all distances of the Huntsman 140, the event on the last day of the Ride From Reno (140 is the distance from Delta, UT where we take a rest day to Huntsman).  This is my third time riding the RFR, and 8th time riding from Delta to Huntsman.

Mom and I drove to Reno last night. Stopped in Wendover for buffet lunch like we do, 'cuz her cousin Gene is the head chef at the Peppermill, so we get a good meal and get to visit with him.  Lisa and the girls came along, 'cuz they like to do that, and since it was Father's Day we all wanted to be together.

Made good time to Reno, got checked in, set up and caught some ZZZs.  Up early to get ready and drive to the arch.  11 of us today- one who'll swap out tomorrow with one who ode separately due to a family commitment.  Riding were:
Jeff, Brian, Jason, Darcie, Dan, Jon, Rich, Scotty, Larry, Rob and me.  Tomorrow Rob won't be with us and we'll be joined by Joe.

Rode out of Reno and climbed Geiger Grade- hello legs!  Geiger is a long, hard pull, with lots of switchbacks.  But, it's also a beautiful view, and a reminder that we're going to work hard for the next five days- this isn't just a joy ride, it's work!

Dropped down the back side of Geiger to Jeff's Dad's place in Virginia City. What a great little town!  Jeff's Dad and sisters always support him to Delta, so we visited for a few and then dropped down the aptly named "6 Mile Canyon".

When we hit the bottom of 6 Mile, we turned left to head to Fallon, and ended up with a west wind (tailwind)! We were riding around 30 MPH with little effort for many miles, as the tailwind carried us swiftly to Fallon.

In Fallon we always eat lunch at Lattin Farms, owned by Vicki Linton's Dad, Bill.  Bill wasn't there this year, as he's in a long term care facility, but he will come see us in Delta on Friday.  What an incredible man, and his employees are so good to feed and care for us.  Thanks Bill- take care!

Th ride out of Fallon had a lot of crosswind, and was a little more difficult.  However, when we turned due East and headed towards Sand Mountain, the tailwind picked back up and pushed us up Sand Springs Pass.  Last "hard" climb for the day, though still some climb left before we would end.

Dropped down Sand Springs Pass and fought with the wind here and there.  Stopped at the Shoe Tree, then started the 12 mile slog up to Cold Springs where we would end the day.  My Garmin bonked on me at Latin Farms, and I ended up having to reset it and lost the first 75 miles of the day.  Here are my stats for the second half (from Fallon), as well as my stats for the whole Day 1 ride from last year for comparison.

Oh, yeah- and finished the day at Jerry's with the traditional burger, fries, Coke and chocolate shake.  That's what I'm talkin' about!

I'll be detailing the ride here all week.  But, I need to also mention that the purpose for this ride is fundraising for Huntsman Cancer Institute. So, if you're so inclined, you can donate through my Huntsman Cancer Foundation page at Todd Handy's fundraising page

I've not begun my fundraising in earnest, so you'll see there's not much activity there, but I would appreciate anything you think you can donate to help fight cancer and fund research for more tolerable treatment and to try to find a cure for cancer.

Thanks to all, and especially my dear Mom who is supporting me this week of the third time.  I love spending the week with her, and am so grateful for her love and support.  She's a fellow cancer survivor, so this means a lot to her, as well.  I love you, Mom!

Much love,

Todd

Ride From Reno- Day 4 "May The Wind Be Always At Your Back"

Over.  Day 4.  Ugh!  What a tough day, physically and mentally.  While the shortest mileage of all five days, this was a tough day from start to finish.

The day begins literally with no warm-up before beginning the ascent of Sacramento Pass.  Those who are familiar with the Ride From Reno know- this is where we pay respect to those who have battled cancer- whether they've lost, won, or are still battling.  I've told myself all week that if I could take the KOM (King of the Mountain for you non-cyclists) on any summit, THIS was the one I wanted (given my own current battle and my desire to show cancer who's in charge!).  Gratefully my legs were strong, and I think Ravell and Larry may have backed off a bit for me (huh, guys?).  Regardless, I had the blessing of being able to summit first and take the KOM- only to immediately be hit with the spirit of the summit, and the tears flowed freely.

We took quite a bit of time to write names on the road- sidewalk chalk, spray chalk, spray paint, etc.  We do this to memorialize all those who are or have battled, and to remind ourselves that there are TOO MANY names there.  We have to find a cure.  And, while we search for that, we have to find better treatment to prolong lives and make living better.  Here's a shot of all my names:

Note all the OTHER names above and to the left of mine.  Then there are those to the right of mine off camera.  Then all the names on the other side of the road.  This has got to end!

So, once we finished at Sacramento Pass, we bombed down the back side (10-11 miles of sheer bliss @ 30-40 MPH).  Then we got his with reality- a lot of it!  Side wind.  Head wind.  Heat.  Lots and lots and lots.  It was tough. At one point B flatted, and four of us stayed with him, and the five of us were struggling so hard that dear Denise motorpaced us back to the group, a good five miles.  Thank you lovely Denise!

After lunch, though, our luck changed, and we got a tailwind (like Monday).  After the final climb, the road into Delta is pretty flat overall.  And, the tailwind for the most part carried us at 20-26 MPH with little work on our part.  Hallelujah.  Which reminded me of an Irish Blessing, a part of which is the title of my post today.  Given that I have Irish blood in me, I think I'm safe to steal this.  It meant a lot in the wind, but as I read it, it means a lot to me regarding the 11 brothers and sister who rode with me, or let me ride with them, from Reno to here.  I hope we'll all stick together and ride all the way in tomorrow, but even then we'll have to go our separate ways until we do this again.  So, to them I dedicate this Irish Blessing.


May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Jeff Warren, Brian Van Uitert, Jason Bleak, Ravell Call, Larry Peterson, Darcie Strong, Dan Sellers, Mike MacDonald, Joe Plater, Scotty Medine and Rich Linton- much love to all of you.  No finer group of cyclists, or people has ever been assembled.  I'm a better person for knowing each of you, and I hope you'll know I'm there for you any time and any place.

One more day.  140 miles.  But not the end of the journey, just a pause until next year.

Much love,
Todd


Some pics:

Ride From Reno- Day 3 "Enjoy The Journey"

We have a sign that looks just like this in our kitchen.  Lisa placed it there in 2008-2009 when we WEREN'T enjoying the journey.  Between my cancer diagnosis and some other trials our family was going through, we weren't necessarily enjoying it at all!  In fact, without going into great detail, one of my best friends said that to us one night when we were talking about our trials and how things were going.  We both felt it was a platitude, at best.  "Yeah, right dude.  Enjoy the journey.  Why don't YOU come enjoy OUR journey."

But, with time we learned it's true.  The journey goes on, whether or not we want it to.  And we can choose to enjoy it or not, but on it goes.  That's become a real metaphor for me since my diagnosis.  I could curl up in a ball and stay in bed.  I could kick the dog.  But, when all is said and done, I have a family to support and a life to live.  So, why not "enjoy the journey."  It's made all the difference.

So, what does that have to do with RFR Day 3?  Plenty.

Cycling and cancer battles are replete with metaphors, and "Enjoy the Journey" is one of them.  Take cancer, for example.  Doctors, friends, colleagues, many around the patient can and want to help.  They provide support.  They provide encouragement.  They cook meals and clean homes and do all they can.  But, when it's all said and done, the patient is the one who has to ultimately be the one to go through it.  No matter the love and support around, the one who has to do it is the patient.  I had 17 radiation treatments in November, 2009, and two more in December, 2012.  My family encouraged me, was by my side, made a care package for me, etc.  So did friends.  But, only I put on that hospital gown, laid down on the table, and had them beam radiation into my body in an attempt to arrest the cancer and save my life.

Don't get me wrong.  I love my family and all those who support me.  I'm not sure I could do it without them.  And that's just it- where the cycling metaphor comes in.

Today we enjoyed the journey- good and bad.  We had 5 climbs- they were awesome!  Some enjoyed them, some suffered, our friends and family cheered us on, but only each of us turned the crank over and over and over...and over! We topped each summit, looked back on what we had done, looked forward to what lay ahead, and enjoyed the journey.

We had 45+ MPH gusts- many from the side that threatened to topple each of us- at times riding 15 MPH, at times riding 40+ MPH.  Scary- yes.  Other times we had head wind.  As we departed Ely, we rode 16 miles, the ENTIRE TIME, with a side wind gusting.  And, as we did so, I watched then and other times throughout the day, as our support crews fed us, sheltered us, hugged us, cheered for us, and generally did all they could for us.  We cyclists supported one another.  On the bike and off.  Climbing.  Descending.  Watching from the sidelines.  I watched cyclist after cyclist pull in front of another, or to the side, to shelter a rider who was struggling from the brutal wind.  Over and over and over...and over!  But, even though that was done multiple times, each cyclist had to ultimately be the one to go through it.  You ride.  With others. And support.  But it's still YOU.

So, with that said, I want to state the obvious.  Cancer sucks.  Cycling doesn't.  They're worlds apart.  One many of us look forward to, and often do daily.  One we don't ever want to hear in conjunction with our name, but daily many do.  And that's just it.  In cancer, in cycling, in life, my friend was right.  We MUST "enjoy the journey", because there's no other way to get through it, and not getting through it IS.NOT.AN.OPTION.

So, today I want to give a shout out to all 11 of my fellow cyclists.  Fun day.  Brutal day.  Everything in between.  I respect all of you more than I can possibly say, and I would do ANYTHING for any of you, at any time, to help you enjoy your journey (cycling, cancer, or just life in general).

And, I'd like to give a shout out to all the support crew: Jo Ann (my dear Mom), Denise, Marian, Ray and Karen, Scott, Chandler and Chelsea, Vicki, Jim and Nikki.  Words cannot express my love and gratitude for each of you.  There's not "I support him or her", you all simply support, and that's amazing.  And, it's not just about the food and water. Your shouts.  Your claps.  The bell.  It's all such a great support and encouragement.

I've said it before and I'll say it again- there is no finer group of people assembled anywhere.

Much love.
Todd

Now on to a few pictures and an overview of the day:

Today's stats as per Strava (because I forgot to snap a picture of my Garmin before it shut off):

All five passes (in order):

As we wind up the ride, we drop down into a valley with plenty of wind...so much so that there are dozens of windmills.  Not the best shot, as it was taken on the fly from the car, but it gives an idea...

Ride From Reno 2013- Day 2 "And You Thought WE Had It Hard!"

OK, as always, trying to post before hitting the sack.  A good day today.  Saddle sores got a little worse, but we'll work through that.  Weather was good, until a few miles before Eureka, when the sidewind went nuts (and turned into a headwind on the last climb into the town), and rain started to fall.  But, to be fair, most of the rain really starting coming down after we had arrived and the hotel and were off the road.

Austin Summit was one of our climbs today.  You climb a long, winding road into Austin, where you can stop and have some lunch, or continue with the rest of the climb, that's easily as long if not longer than the first half.  Wow- was good to finally get to the top.  Kudos to Ravell for being KOM on that climb!

While we were having lunch on top of the summit, we were joined by two young men who we had passed on the ascent.  Turns out they are from Montreal, and are riding their bikes from San Diego back to Montreal to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy. They figure it will take them 2 1/2 months, and they're raising $7500.  We visited with them- great young men with cool French accents.  Gave them fruit, cookies, etc. and Darcie and Denise even invited them to camp in their yard when they come through SLC.  We think we're a big deal riding 670 miles in one week to raise money for cancer research, these kids deserve a big round of applause for what they're doing!

For the most part it was a good day. Didn't have the same tailwind we had yesterday, but that was an anomaly and a blessing anyway!  Today we did have some good tailwind that carried us well, but we also had some sidewind that gave us a few problems (especially on the final ascent into Eureka).

Here's what today's route looked like on Google Maps:

Final stats for the day:

Distance- 120 miles

Average MPH- 19.6

Ride Time- 6:05

Hopefully I'll have a bit more time to post tomorrow night and can be a little more detailed.  A good day, all were safe, and we're now 260 miles into our 667.

Much love!

Ride From Reno 2013- Day 1 "And So It Begins"

Day 1 is in the books.  Finished (like me!).  It was a GREAT day on the bike- all 137 miles of it.  A quick rundown and then it's past time for bed.  Read on...

First of all, we got into Reno later last night than usual.  Had a missionary farewell in the morning, and then wanted to stop for lunch at Peppermill in Wendover rather than dinner at Circus Circus in Reno.  The food was amazing, Gene.  Oh, and thanks for the hospitality and kindness.  Great food.  Great service.  Great Executive Chef!

This morning came early- up at 5:30 for a 6:30 meeting at the Reno Arch.  13 of us total for today- 12 who are riding all the way to HCI in SLC, one who joined us just for today (Rich, owner of a local Reno bike shop, and a strong rider!).

Riders- Jeff Warren, Jason Bleak, Ravell Call, Brian Van Uitert, Joe Plater, Darcie Strong, Rich Linton, Larry Peterson, Mike McDonald, Scotty Medine, Dan Sellers and me (not including Rich, mentioned above).


Rode the 10 miles from downtown Reno to the base of Geiger Summit.  That's where the fun begins- 8 miles of up, up, up.  It's not a killer climb, but it goes on and on and on.  Had the good fortune of being able to close the gap on everyone but Ravell, so came in second on the climb.

Bombed down the other side to Jeff's Dad's house- which is a veritable museum of old west arts and crafts.  Jim Warren is a great man, and so good to support all of us year after year.

Bombed down 6 Mile Canyon (aptly named), and then connected to Highway 50 ("The Loneliest Highway in America") and rode it all the way in to Fallon.  Once in Fallon, we stopped for lunch at Lattin Farms, hosted by 93 year old Bill Lattin, and his son-in-law and daughter, Rich and Vicki Linton.  THANKS Bill, Rich and Vicki!

The rest of the day was spent with a heavenly tailwind, which had us averaging 25-30 MPH with low heart rates and less-than-normal effort.  3 more climbs, past the "new" Shoe Tree, and the final 12 miles uphill to Cold Springs to end the day.

Stats for the day:
Distance- 137 miles
Average Speed- 21.1 MPH
Ride Time- 6:29

A good day for all of us, and we start tomorrow at 6:30 driving the 50 miles east back out to Cold Springs where we finished today, and picking up from there.  Around 120 miles tomorrow from Cold Springs to Eureka.

Many thanks to my dear Mom for supporting me all the way today (and really, she supports everyone, as all our support drivers take care of all of us).  And, much love to Lisa, Caitlin, Kira and Kodi who are at home doing what they do.  I miss you all tons!  I love you so much.

Handy out.

It IS About The Bike

OK.  So, in 2001 Lance Armstrong wrote "It's Not About The Bike."  The book, though centered on his professional cycling (and triathlon before that) was about his battle with, and subsequent defeat of, cancer.  Lance's message: cancer was the central focus, the bike was ancillary.

Well, for me it IS about the bike.  Cycling has been a part of me since I could ride a bike.  I rode everywhere when I was a kid.  From age 12-16 or so, I raced BMX.  I rode a bike for much of my LDS mission in Brazil.  When I returned from Brazil, I purchased a mountain bike and got into mountain biking.  Then, in 2003, my lovely wife Lisa gave me a road bike, and it was all over.  From that time I've been a "roadie" (while I still race/ride mountain bikes, and also have begun racing cyclocross).  Road cycling is exhilarating- it's you, your bike, normally several other cyclists, and the road.  Sometimes the road is flat.  At times it's hilly.  It's ever changing, and challenging, and completely addicting.  I know that I'll be a cyclist all my life.  But, I also know I'll most likely also have cancer all my life.  B Cell Follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma was the diagnosis in Oct. 2009, and is indolent (slow growing) and incurable.  Just like the road- cancer is ever changing and challenging.  The road has ups and downs.  So does cancer.

Why am I telling you this?  Because at the intersection of cycling and cancer is an incredible thing for me- Huntsman Cancer Foundation.  Jon Huntsman established Huntsman Cancer Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation with the stated purpose of eradicating cancer in his lifetime.  Will that happen? I pray so.  but, for that to happen, it takes research. Clinical trials.  And lots and lots of funds.  Money.  Dinero.  Moolah.  Which is where cycling and cancer intersect beautifully for me.

5 years ago, before I was diagnosed with cancer, I decided to use my cycling addiction to help me raise funds for Huntsman through their Huntsman Hometown Heroes fundraising program.  Why? My dear mother had just been diagnosed with uterine cancer, and suddenly I realized I could lose this woman who means so much to me.  So, while she was battling cancer, I decided to battle it with my bike and with the funds of those who would be generous enough to donate.

Since that point, I simply have decided I will be a Hometown Hero for the rest of my life.  Cycling.  Fundraising.  Battling.

So, I'll finally get to the point (I know, too late!)  I'll just say it- I NEED YOUR HELP.  More to the point, I need your money, dinero, moolah.  Yes, I personally need it (I'm a Huntsman patient, just had my most recent 6 month checkup on Tuesday of this week), but so do all the others that are being treated at Huntsman Cancer Hospital, and all the clinicians and researchers and medical staff at the hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Here's what I'm going to do.  On June 9th of this year, my Mom and I will drive to Reno, NV with 16 other cyclists and their families and friends who will be driving support for us.  We'll get up Monday the 10th and ride 135 miles.  Then we'll ride Tuesday another 125 miles.  Wednesday we'll ride 120 miles.  Thursday we'll ride 120 miles.  We'll take Friday off in Delta, UT, and then Saturday we'll ride 140 miles from Delta, UT to the steps of Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City.  This is Jeff Warren's Ride From Reno, and you can read more about it here.  667 miles in 5 days, with the intent of raising money for Huntsman Cancer Foundation.  The Saturday ride we'll be joined by over 200 cyclists who will be participating in what we call the Huntsman 140, all raising funds themselves.

Then, in September I'll be racing my ninth LOTOJA Classic- 206 miles from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole, WY.  I'll be on the road with over 1,000 racers, but also with 74 other Hometown Heroes who have signed up to raise funds for Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

That's over 667 miles from Reno to SLC, and then 206 miles from Logan to Jackson.  Almost 900 miles. On a bike. Pedaling.  I'll do the "hard work".  Will you do the rest? Will you help me and consider donating whatever you can to Huntsman Hometown Heroes and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation?  The donation may be tax deductible (talk to a tax expert), but I can tell you it will certainly prolong your life and buy you some blessings in heaven (well, maybe not, but it will buy my eternal love and gratitude, and isn't that almost as good?)  :-)

If you feel you can donate (any amount, that's up to you), you can click the link below and go directly to my LOTOJA Hometown Heroes donation page. I choose to roll my Huntsman 140 fundraising into my LOTOJA fundraising so I only have to ask friends and family once, and not pester them over and over (too much).  You can donate via credit card right on the page.  Or, if you'd like to donate via check or cash, you can send them to me and I'll get them to Huntsman.  My home address is:
1597 E. Ridge Rd.
Layton, UT 84040

Click here if you'd like to donate: www.lotoja.kintera.org/toddjhandy

Let me close by saying "thank you" for reading this far.  Even if you choose not to donate, or can't at this time, know how much I appreciate your love, support and interest.

Much love,

Todd

Please help me KICK CANCER TO THE CURB!

Dearest friends, family and colleagues, 
Most of you know of my incredible journey, and how I came to be diagnosed with B cell follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma.  Those who don't, I'd be happy to share the story some time if you're interested.  Many also know that in November of 2011 we found out that the cancer had come back, but had moved to my neck from my groin and lower back area.

With all that, and the journey this has been, Lisa and I continue to feel we've been blessed to receive the diagnosis as early as we did, and to be able to be treated by the wonderful staff at Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City.  All we've been through has been made easier by the incredible medical and research staff of the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Which brings me to the purpose for my e-mail.  I am attempting to raise $5,000 in donations earmarked 100% for Huntsman Cancer Foundation. That in and of itself is difficult.  But, to make it even more difficult, I am looking to raise those funds by September 8- the day I race 206 miles in my eighth LOTOJA (http://www.lotojaclassic.com) race.  Then, to make it really, really difficult, I waited till the last minute to send my e-mail.  I'm sorry!

Good news, though, is that I already have received $275 in donations, with a $75 matching donation awaiting, so I'm already $350 towards my $5K goal.

So, here's where you fit into the equation.  If you feel you could donate to help with cancer research, and help me reach my goal of $5,000, please click below:

http://lotoja.kintera.org/toddjhandy

And, don't forget- your company may have a donation matching program.  Many of you are friends and colleagues of mine who work for a DMC company (KSL, DDM, etc.).  DMC will match any gift over $25, as long as you've been an employee longer than one year, and as long as you complete and submit the matching form.  No matter where you work, check into it, because that will DOUBLE any donation you feel you can make, which greatly helps in reaching the $5K goal!

I thank you all in advance for anything you feel you can do. I’ll continue to post updates of fundraising progress on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/toddjhandy), my blog (http://www.toddhandy.blogspot.com/), and via Twitter (http://twitter.com/toddhandy). 

Thank you for your relationship with me, and for your love and support! 

With best regards, 

Todd 

PS- PLEASE feel free to forward the e-mail, share the link to the blog, retweet on Twitter and share on Facebook! The more people this can go to, the more potential to help raise funds!  And, if you feel you can donate, I'm sorry for the rush- I'll be better next year!