Competitor Magazine & Rubio's

June 7th, 2010 - This past weekend my lovely wife Crystal and I stopped at Rubio's over off of Scripps Poway Parkway and the 15 to pick up a Saturday afternoon meal. They always have great food and beside, they support CAF, LLS and so many other organizations here in San Diego. While waiting I picked up the Competitor Magazine to pass the few minutes it would take for our food to be ready. I was flipping through the pages and came across an advertisement for the MS 150 which raises funds to fight diabetes. At the top is a picture of some cyclists and in the middle is me. Now I've seen this before but it always makes me smile and here's why. I've never ridden this event and the day this was taken I was riding with the Challenged Athletes Foundation so pictured also in this ad are several people wearing CAF garb.

I find this really cool because in my mind it represents the way I want to look at life. I want to support as many organizations and events I can and volunteer as often as my time permits. Seeing cross use of resources between non-profits is a way to a better outcome I believe. There is already too much fighting in our world so why not try and find ways to work together when every possible.

This was, I'm pretty sure, unintentional on the part of the MS people. I've certainly given donations to those raising funds for this cause. Why, because so many people have given to me. As a cancer survivor myself I have firsthand life experience as to why we all need to give something in life. You just never know when your number is up and you need science to develop a cure for that bad hand of cards sometimes we get dealt. In my case it was testicular cancer over 16 years ago and after 3 grueling and very painful protocol session with Chemo they finally announce I was in the clear though it be with no hair and a very weak body.

As I continued to flip pages I noticed that actually I could associate with many of the ads and articles. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society towards the front. I had done 13 programs with them. An article about Scout Bassett and Sarah Reinertsen both I've met and cycling with during the CAF events. And towards the back an advertisement for the program I am currently in, Million Dollar Challenge sponsored by Qualcomm.

It made me proud to see the effect of some of the things I do in life. When my time is up and I'm called to the gate of St Peter and he asked, "what did you do in life", I want my answer to be the longest he's ever heard.