Dear Friends,
On June 29, 2003 I will undertake the challenge of competing in an Ironman Triathlon which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. Completing an Ironman Triathlon has been a dream of mine since I first saw one on TV in 1989. However, my path towards this dream has not been easy.
Almost two years ago, at age 26, I was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. I had an eight inch tumor in my sigmoid (lower) colon and five infected lymph-nodes. Despite having experienced pretty severe fatigue and other symptoms, I had no idea that I had cancer. The day after my diagnosis I underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor and the lymph-nodes. Once I had recovered from surgery I started six exhausting months of chemotherapy. Each month I spent one week receiving chemotherapy, two weeks experiencing side effects, and one week regaining my strength before starting it all over again. Throughout the whole process I continued with my athletics, be it surfing or swimming in the morning before chemotherapy, or cycling, skiing, or windsurfing during my recovery week. At that point athletics kept me motivated to fight for my life. Now athletics is my way to fundraise for a great cause. It has been almost two years since I was diagnosed and I am cancer free and on track to race in Ironman Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho on June 29th. After the race, I will take on a different type of challenge when I start classes at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in September.
As I train for Ironman Coeur d’Alene I hope to raise $20,000 for the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA). I chose the NCCRA because it focuses on prevention, early detection, and treatment. Through my efforts I hope to help others avoid a battle such as mine.
The National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance was co-founded by NBC Today show co-ancho Katie Couric, nationally known cancer activist Lilly Tartikoff, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) in March 2000. Both women and EIF established the NCCRA to aggressively promote the latest, cutting-edge colorectal cancer research, and at the same time prevent additional - and needless - colorectal cancer cases through preventative testing. The NCCRA reports that:
- Colorectal cancer is the nation's second leading cancer killer
- Last year an estimated 135,400 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 56,700 people died from the disease
- Women are as likely as men to die from colorectal cancer
- Colorectal cancer is curable more than 90% of the time when detected early, yet only 8% curable when caught at an advanced stage. Colorectal cancer starts as benign growths (polyps) which can be easily removed to prevent cancer.
- Only 44% of U.S. adults 50 years or older have been recently screened for colorectal cancer
- More than 33% of colorectal cancer deaths could be avoided if people over 50 had regular screenings.
For more information about the NCCRA, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, see: www.eifoundation.org/national/nccra/splash/
Thanks for helping me support a great cause! I hope you will consider making a contribution today.
David Belden
How you can help:
You can help by making a contribution to the NCCRA in my honor.
Some giving suggestions:
$26.20 Miles I will run during Ironman Coeur d'Alene
$112.00 Miles I will bike during Ironman Coeur d'Alene
$140.60 Miles I will swim, bike, and run on race day
$595.00 Miles I will have run while training
$1,000.00 You think I'm nuts to race an Ironman, but you want to support the NCCRA
$5,000.00 Amount you would pay to not compete in an Ironman Triathlon
$10,000.00 It is a great cause
$______ Any amount you would like to give
Your contribution is 100% tax deductible.
Please make your check payable to the NCCRA and mail it to me by June 29, 2003 at:
(Contributions will still be accepted after June 29th.)
David Belden
(Please send me an email if you would like to make a contribution, as I have closed my PO box. Thanks!)
NCCRA's Fundraising Promise: Every penny raised by the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance is spent on public education efforts and in support of the best and most advanced research, looking for better tests, treatments, and cures for colorectal cancer.
The NCCRA is one of EIF's "grantees". EIF is a 501(c)3 organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. EIF's tax identification number is 95-1644609. Thank you for your support! www.eifoundation.org
Downloadable copy of the sponsorship form.
Giving on-line:
You can also give on-line via the NCCRA's website: https://secure.eifoundation.org/securedonate/
When giving online, please put "In honor of David Belden", and select the NCCRA as the "grantee" so that the NCCRA and I can track the donations that I generate.
Thank you for your generous support!
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