Well, it has been several weeks since my participation in the 2008 Livestrong Challenge in San Jose. I want to first thank you and all of the HIP membership, and particularly MaryLynne Christman, for their support, and fundraising efforts. It was a hugely successful  fundraiser, with over $1,500,000 in total donations. - According to Lance Armstrong during his opening speech, it is the largest amount ever raised in a first time city. The event was led out of downtown San Jose by Lance Armstrong, his trainer, and several other notable individuals. The majority of our group was in hot pursuit, but of course we were not able to keep up with their kind of speed. I hate to admit it, but my wife Lisa, who was driving my support vehicle, was passed by Lance and his group at about the 45 mile mark - approximately 20 miles ahead of me after 2 hours of riding!
 
The event was as emotional as always, with a large number of the approximately 3,000 participants wearing "survivor" patches indicating that they had won their fight against cancer.  This year, organizers introduced a tribute video that cycled through photos submitted by participants of loved ones who did not survive cancer. The video was a very powerful testimony of the need to fight this disease. submitted by participants.  If you’d like to send me photos of your family, friends and co-workers who’ve dealt with cancer, I will submit the photos for inclusion in the 2009 video.
 
This coming year, I will be traveling to the birthplace of Livestrong, Austin TX to participate in October's challenge. I am looking for more team members to participate with me in one of the ride distances (10, 30, 65, or 100 miles), or the 10 k run/walk. I am also looking for volunteers to work as support for the Livestrong event itself manning booths, setting out route signs etc. At the San Jose event, it took over 1500 volunteers to help make such a large scale program work. I have included some photos taken at the event, below.

Patrick Rapps
Sales Manager
Countrywide Bank, FSB
602-295-7271 cell