Making the commitment to be a Health Champion and do the "HUSTLE UP THE HANCOCK" on February 22, 2009. wasn't an easy decision. It took the gentle "dare" of a cardiac nurse and Niki Bartosiak, the Senior Special Events Manager for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago to challenge my "passion" for helping people who suffer with allergy related lung disease.
November 3rd 8 AM signup started and 37 minutes later, signup closed and thousands of stair climbers were registered for the 1643 stair climb in the John Hancock Building, to fight lung disease through research, advocacy and education. I, unfortunately was not one of them.
Though my girlfriend...a cardiac nurse, had already signed up and wait listed me, I wasn't going without her. It was her idea to climb. I emailed Niki Bartosiak for a little help... I told her "I build Allergen Reduced Homes in the Chicagoland area and therefore had a "passion for the lungs" could you squeeze me in?" Her response, "if you're so passionate about the cause, why don't you commit to raising $1000 and sign up as a "Health Champion?" Ouch!
The thought of raising $1000 made me break out in a sweat for about 10 minutes. I emailed her back that if my girlfriend could climb with me I would do it. It was a go! The outpour sweat passed as I was signing up online. It asked for my fundraising goal... suddenly $1000 seemed insignificant to me. As a Developer and builder I am used to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for my Allergen Reduced Homes projects, but somehow this seemed different. I knew what was in it for an investor...PROFIT! What was in it for the Sponsor? It hit me and I will tell you that later.
I needed to find some number that would excite and challenge me. I had blogged several months ago about how much a lung transplant costs...$350,000. I couldn't imagine raising $350,000 but with some help, I could raise 10 percent of that. That's it I thought, $35,000...10% of the cost of a lung transplant!
Winded was how I felt climbing the first 5 flights in my building! Training needs to start immediately. LOL! Wait till you find out who my trainer is...
Click on the link below to visit my fundraising page and help me reach my personal goal by making an online donation today.
http://my.imisfriendraising.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=27396
Thank you for your support as I challenge myself not only in participating in the Hustle Up the Hancock but also by raising money for this very worthwhile cause. You will be helping lungs everywhere...possibly your own.
Should you need to reach me regarding sponsorship opportunities...I am looking for them, please contact me at: scott@allergenreducedhomes.com. I am also looking for other ways to spread the word among the internet community. You can also help me by getting additional exposure and re-blogging this post.
Thank you and remember...
Breathe Clean,
Scott
;)
;)
