Rise to the Livestrong Challenge

eBay auctions benefiting the LAF (100%)

2009-09-08T14:07:00.032+02:00

$ 720 (deadline 09/29) to go and a sponsor will make a 5k matching donation!

Thank you to all the bidders, buyers and everyone who made a donation and thus contributed to the fundraising efforts!!

I appreciate all you've done to help me during the last 5 years of fundraising for the LAF! This truely is a team effort and I can't thank you enough!

Fundraising sponsor challenge

2009-08-04T14:25:00.006+02:00

The good news is: I finally found someone willing to sponsor my 2009 Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge!

The challenging news is: that sponsor will make certain donations when/if I reach certain fundraising levels.

To tell you the truth: I suspect he thinks I'll only reach the 1st level, so he'll only have to donate $25. Well, I'm certainly going to give it my best shot.

He'll donate:

$25 once I reach the $1000 fundraising mark ✔
$50 once I reach the $2.500 fundraising level
$100 once I reach the $5.000 fundraising mark
$200 once I reach the $7.500 fundraising mark
$1000 (!!!) once I reach the $9.000 fundraising mark (though I'll admit, it's a highly unlikely for me to reach that mark)

To help me reach some of the levels (hopefully), there's a fundraising raffle (prizes include LIVESTRONG Challenge items and a signed Lance Armstrong picture).

In addition, a free fundraising shirt will be mailed to everyone who donates $25-32 (depending on the country you live in). You can find out all the details, by clicking HERE!

Thanks for reading! Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Join the fight against cancer

2009-07-15T11:20:00.003+02:00

Want to join the fight against cancer, but don't want to spend any money?

It's easy. The new LIVESTRONG action website offers the chance to sign the World Cancer Declaration and make a dedication to someone who inspired others to get active!

All it takes is about 10 seconds of your time; the declaration will be passed to world leaders to push for new resources in the fight against cancer!

Plus, if you'll sign the declaration by clicking here, you'll help get us closer to the 8888 mark. If we reach that mark, Paul Raats has pledged to donate $8888 to a cancer organisation! Please help us getting there and tell your friends!

Thank you so much!

http://www.livestrongaction.org/dedication/eric-jan-van-loon

Paul Raats photography: www.8forlance.com

Cancer Survivor Day!

2009-06-07T16:18:00.002+02:00

Today is Cancer Survivor's Day!

To celebrate the 28MM survivors around the world and in memory of the loved ones we lost to cancer, I'll give a $5 gift certificate for Fictionwise (A Barnes & Noble Company) eBooks to the first 5 people who donate at least $10 each to my LIVESTRONG Challenge fundraising page (raised so far: $618.20):

http://austin09.livestrong.org/henrike

Thank you for supporting the global fight against cancer! Together we are making a difference!

P.S: If you can't make a financial contribution, please consider other ways to make a difference: volunteering some personal time at a cancer center, talking/listening to people who are going through treatment, wearing a cancer awareness ribbon or a LIVESTRONG wristbands. There are numerous ways to get involved, even in this tough economy.

Make smoking history campaign in Australia

2009-05-28T16:39:00.005+02:00

"Make Smoking History" is an anti-smoking campaign, established in 2000 as an initiative of The Cancer Council Western Australia. The campaign "aims to contribute to efforts to drive down the prevalence of smoking among Western Australian adults".

The video shown below has been described by the campaign as being a ‘shock and awe’ montage of well known, smoking-related diseases taken from anti-tobacco campaigns shown in Australia over the last decade and aims for smokers to seek out support services to help them quit.

Online fundraising rally

2009-04-27T10:00:00.008+02:00

I'm not particularly good at asking people for their money, even if it's for a cause as important as the global fight against cancer. Most of all, I feel bad about not giving donors anything in return, when they're being so generous with their hard-earned money.

So, I thought about a "giving-back" online fundraising rally, where a $8 donation to my fundraising page will get you a postcard from the Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge this October (for people living in the US and Germany; people living in other countries will receive a scan of their postcard via e-mail).

Plus, we'll award certain items (including a signed Lance Armstrong photo, LIVESTRONG items and a $10 eBooks gift certificate) to some individual donors. So, you might win a signed Lance Armstrong photo by donating as little as $5 to my fundraising acccount.

If you'd like to participate or know someone, who might be interested, please check out our 2009 LIVESTRONG fundraising rally

Thanks for reading!

Thank you for your donation:

Paul Raats Photography: www.8forlance.com

Michael Birdsong: www.teamholeinthewall.org/michaelbirdsong

Jamie & Chemo: A Journey of Hope

Slow start...

2009-04-18T12:26:00.005+02:00

Since my fundraising is off to another slow start (seems to be the case every year;-), I'll match the first three new donations (up to $100/each). I'm not sure if that'll make a difference and will be an incentive for my friends/family/supporters to make a donation, but it's worth a try! Remember, every dollar counts in the global fight against cancer!

Thank you for considering a donation!

http://austin09.livestrong.org/henrike

Update #1: Just made the first matching donation. Thank you Jamie & Chemo for donating $100 to my fundraising page.

Jamie's skydive (Orange ROCKS)

2009-03-29T23:03:00.006+02:00

I met Jamie at the LIVESTRONG summit in Columbus, Ohio last year. He was one of our track leaders for the Orange grassroots and advocacy track (Orange ROCKS, Livestrong), and a constant source of energy and motivation.

Jamie's father passed away after battling brain cancer for twenty-two years. Jaime himself was diagnosed with Stage 4b lymphoma in March of 2007.

He celebrated his 2 year cancerversary by jumping out of an airplane. It's his return to life...

Watch A Journey of Hope in Aktivismus & Nonprofit | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Game on, cancer....

2009-03-16T14:19:00.004+01:00

Just watched the newest LIVESTRONG Challenge video... so many familiar faces of people I'm lucky enough to call friends.

We need to challenge cancer until nobody needs to suffer and/or die from this horrible disease, anymore. Pick a fight with cancer today and support those who are currently in treatment and those who are in their final stages of their lives.

FIGHT ON

2009-02-27T12:47:00.006+01:00

1 HUGE reason we'll need to 'FIGHT ON' - remember Ryan Davidson of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin: read his story here He'll be missed (and not only as the Trojan's good luck charm)!

To everyone who doubted my ability to finish this semester...

2009-02-21T15:08:00.003+01:00

During the last months, I received a lot of advice from a lot of people. Some of it was helpful and supportive, some of it not so much. Just imagine being in an accident at the start of the new semester and after a difficult year with thyroid issues. A lot of people told me to relax and concentrate on my recovery, get better slowly, forget about the semester and start again next term. After all, if you can't concentrate and/or read, what's the point in going to classes?!

Due to doctors' orders, I missed 4 weeks of classes, and even after I got back I had troubles with my concentration and my ability to memorize and process information due to my head injury. A lot of times I got frustrated because it took forever to just read a page of information or to even listen to and follow lectures. To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd be able to write my finals and I had to reduce my workload for this semester to 4 classes.

2 weeks ago I was done with my two finals and I can't express how proud I was that I didn't give up or listened to people doubting my ability to go through with this semester (even though it hurt at times). Today I received the information that my political science final grade was online. I got a 1.7 (A/B). After all the setbacks of the last weeks and months, this makes my day!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Thanks for all the notes of encouragement- I really appreciate it.

World Cancer Day 2009

2009-02-04T13:49:00.005+01:00

Today is World Cancer Day.

Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world. The WHO estimates that 84 million people will die of cancer between 2005 and 2015 without intervention.

The World Cancer Day promotes ways to ease the global burden of cancer.

From the UICC webpage:

"On 4 February, World Cancer Day, the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) will launch “I love my healthy active childhood”, the second full-year theme in our “Today’s children, tomorrow’s world” cancer prevention campaign."

Health update II

2008-11-12T12:30:00.005+01:00

I had to visit my surgeon after some neck problems and just started my physical therapy for Grade 2 Whiplash- massage and fango treatments, which sounds nice, but with all the bruises and swelling and the headaches, it's really tough to get through.

I should be back to normal in about 4-6 weeks. The scar is healing nicely (on my right forehead, 18 stitches) and all my doctors were really impressed - I guess, I was lucky to have an ER doctor who did a really great job with stitching me up.

I'll hopefully be able to go back to college next week- three weeks of bed rest are more than enough- it's really getting boring. I tried to go back this week and failed miserably- so I guess you should listen to your doctor most of the times ;-)

Thanks to Leana, my accident or rather the minutes after the accident have been documented. Not my most gracious pictures, but quite impressive:

Health Update

2008-10-30T01:09:00.002+01:00

Some of you might wonder how I am doing and why the hell I got wrapped around an iron fence. I will write another post once I'm feeling a little better. But don't you worry. I have a head injury (18 stitches), a concussion, and the right side of my body is bruised and swollen. I strongly resemble Frankenstein at the moment, but other than that I was really lucky- no permanent injuries, no eye injury, a negative ct scan, and I'm back at home to recover.

More to follow soon!

German public TV to suspend live coverage of the Tour de France

2008-10-16T16:39:00.004+02:00

The 2 German public broadcasting stations ARD & ZDF announced today that they'd suspend live coverage of the Tour de France "until further notice", following the newest doping scandal involving B. Kohl, who was supposed to be part of the "new generation" of clean cyclists. Both station will continue to cover the Tour in their sport reports and the regular news, but that will only be a fraction of their usual coverage of approx. 90 hours. Private TV channel "Eurosport" is expected to continue TV coverage of the Tour in 59 countries, including Germany.

There are reports that the Tour of Germany will be cancelled next year following the latest happenings. The "Hofbräu 6 days" of Stuttgart are already scrapped.

The perception of professional cycling is at an all-time low. Everyone was hoping for a new generation of cyclists, who'd be smart and clean (even if that would mean that there weren't any new records), but it seems like some people just never learn.

Will banning the Tour de France coverage have an impact on the fight against doping? Patrice Clerc, Chairman of the Tour de France organizers replied to a similar issue last July: "it seems paradoxical to punish the Tour, which leads in the fight against cheating."

France has took the lead in the fight against doping- cyclists who will ride the Tour in 2009 know that their blood tests will probably be tested again and again whenever new tests for banned substances are approved.

For me, it would make much more sense to appreciate their efforts in the fight against doping and force other races, like the Giro in Italy to follow the same strict rules. The Tour de France organizers are on the right track- now others need to follow their lead, including other sports, like soccer, football, baseball, track & field, swimming, etc. It's about time for cheaters to be caught, in order to let the real and worthy "heroes" step into the well-deserved spotlight!

Lots to do, so little time...

2008-10-15T08:58:00.002+02:00

The first weeks of a new university term are usually pretty hectic- people try to find classes that'll fit their schedule, you try to figure out how to transfer a class that you already passed into your new bachelor statistics, you get to meet a lot of new professors and students, and the days never seem to be long enough to fit all of that into the first week.

Now, add to that that I'm trying to get some training for the upcoming LIVESTRONG Challenge done. I know it shouldn't be that hard- after all I'm only doing the 45 miles, but the stress combined with bad weather and being a thyroid patient (who is doing pretty good at the moment) add a few challenges along the way. I talked to my professors yesterday, and they gave me the go ahead to take a couple of days off in order for me to be able to go to Austin- I guess they're used to students who miss a class without even mentioning it- so they seemed pretty astonished that I'd tell them about it. Of course, they expressed their concerns about the current developments in pro-cycling, but were open-minded enough to listen to my reasons for participating and wishing me the best of luck in accomplishing my goals with both fundraising and strengthening our local Army group.

If anyone is doing the 45 mile ride and wants to form a group to ride with, please get in touch.

Back to figuring out my schedule ;-)

2008-10-08T16:45:00.001+02:00

Congratulations, Michael, on finishing your cross-country trek!

And the Nobel Prize goes to...

2008-10-06T15:37:00.005+02:00

Today, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2008 has been awarded with one half to Harald zur Hausen of Germany (MD at University of Düsseldorf, Germany. Professor emeritus and former Chairman and Scientific Director, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany, Editor-in-Chief: International Journal of Cancer) for his discovery of "human papilloma viruses causing cervical cancer".

From: Nobelprize.com

"Harald zur Hausen went against current dogma and postulated that oncogenic human papilloma virus (HPV) caused cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women. He realized that HPV-DNA could exist in a non-productive state in the tumours, and should be detectable by specific searches for viral DNA. He found HPV to be a heterogeneous family of viruses. Only some HPV types cause cancer. His discovery has led to characterization of the natural history of HPV infection, an understanding of mechanisms of HPV-induced carcinogenesis and the development of prophylactic vaccines against HPV acquisition.

[...]

Importance of the HPV discovery

The global public health burden attributable to human papilloma viruses is considerable. More than 5% of all cancers worldwide are caused by persistent infection with this virus. Infection by the human papilloma virus is the most common sexually transmitted agent, afflicting 50-80% of the population. Of the more than 100 HPV types known, about 40 infect the genital tract, and 15 of these put women at high risk for cervical cancer. In addition, HPV is found in some vulval, penile, oral and other cancers. Human papilloma virus can be detected in 99.7% of women with histologically confirmed cervical cancer, affecting some 500,000 women per year.

Harald zur Hausen demonstrated novel properties of HPV that have led to an understanding of mechanisms for papilloma virus-induced carcinogenesis and the predisposing factors for viral persistence and cellular transformation. He made HPV16 and 18 available to the scientific community. Vaccines were ultimately developed that provide ≥95 % protection from infection by the high risk HPV16 and 18 types. The vaccines may also reduce the need for surgery and the global burden of cervical cancer."

At a time when the daughter of one of my mom's friends has to go through a new and tougher round of radiation due to a recurrance of ovarian and cervical cancer, it's a very emotional day for all of us! A well deserved recognition of a cancer that is not as much in the public's eye as breast cancer, for example.

I'm going against the cancer awareness months' calender and promote "teal and white" awareness for the month of October.

The Challenges of Treating Cancer, a Cultural Taboo

2008-10-05T10:02:00.001+02:00

Paul Newman & Team Hole in the Wall

2008-09-27T16:23:00.004+02:00

Actor, director, activist and race car driver Paul Newman died yesterday after battling cancer. He was 83. I really loved Paul Newman as an actor. I mean it's a rare thing for me to pretty much like every movie of an actor, but that was the case with Paul Newman, probably because he had a large repertoire of characters he portrayed: from the heartthrob to rebels to losers. Just think about his movie career: 10 Oscar nominations, 3 Academy Awards, more than 50 major roles, the list goes on and on.

He was different from so many people in the industry. He had one of those rare long-term marriages with Joanne Woodward, and once told Playboy magazine: "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?" when being asked about any temptations to cheat on his wife.

But most of all he had a heart for underdogs, people who are challenged by life.

His food company Newman's Own donates all profits and royalties after taxes for educational and charitable purposes (with over $250 million dollars given to charities worldwide). "Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good" is a motto more companies should follow.

Over 20 years ago, he founded the "Hole in the Wall" camps, the leading global family of camps for children with life-threatening illnesses.

I have to admit I've never heard of those camps before my friend Michael wrote about his cycling adventure. He spent a week at camp as a volunteer counselor this summer and only had great memories to share. Those children really impressed me (and I wasn't even there).

Right now, Michael is on a 3392 mile (!!!!) bike ride across the sounthern part of the US (from Disneyland to Walt Disney World). I'm pretty amazed whenever I watch the Tour de France and their 3 week race across France, but those are professional cyclists- and they have 2-3 days of rest during those 3 weeks. Now Michael and the other riders accomplish an average 106 miles a day... without any off-days to rest. Now, that's impressive!

But what's even more impressive is that he's not doing this for himself (although it's been a big dream of his and he seems to enjoy it immensely), he's doing the ride to support his mother-in-law's continuous fight against cancer and to raise money for the "TEAM HOLE IN THE WALL".

Michael's goal is to raise enough money so that 10 children will be able to go to summer camp free of charge and "be able to experience the absolute magic [he] has seen for himself [...] It is amazing what these campers accomplish in one week; just as amazing are the obstacles they overcome on a daily basis, for these children suffer from serious illnesses such as cancer, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and hemophilia. Camp helps keep them going – throughout the many challenges of serious illness. "

I know I pretty much begged people to donate to the LAF through my fundraising account during the last few weeks, but if there's even a small amount of money you have left to give to an inspiring and important cause, please consider donating to the "Hole in the Wall" Camps (just click here and you'll be redirected to the fundraising page).

If you need any extra motivation or incentive, please take a moment to watch this video and/or read Michael's blog (it's worth your time, I promise- lots of inspiring stories from the road, beautiful pictures, and a guy who has a heart of gold).

Let's remember Paul Newman's legacy and follow his and Michael's example. I know some people get sick of hearing it, but I'll say it again: Children are our future and laughter really is the best medicine out there!

Stunned Amazed Perplexed...

2008-09-25T23:09:00.004+02:00

... thank you, thank you, thank you (to be continued a million times, at least ;-)

Don't know how I got lucky enough to have some people believe in me that much, but I'm very grateful! The last week has been a rollercoaster ride (with a lot of bad press regarding Lance's comeback in large parts of Europe, including my home country of Germany, I'm afraid; but also the wonderful mail I received from a mentor friend, a beautiful post about my fundraising efforts by my honorary soul sister, and now this...), it really proves that some people do believe in team work!

I know I'll be following my dream and working even harder to make cancer a global priority, no matter what some people may say, write or post! Sometimes, being stubborn really comes in handy ;-)

2008-09-25T09:19:00.002+02:00

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...
to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sign the World Cancer Declaration!

2008-09-24T09:31:00.005+02:00

From livestrong.org:

"The World Cancer Declaration 2008 was developed by the International Union against Cancer (UICC), adopted by the World Cancer Summit 2008 and endorsed by the World Cancer Congress 2008.

We the global cancer community call on governments, international governmental organizations, the international donor community, development agencies, professional organizations, the private sector and all civil society to take immediate steps to slow and ultimately reverse the growth in deaths from cancer."

This is something we all can do... all around the world. Click here to sign the World Cancer Declaration today!

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A monumental challenge

2008-09-22T15:52:00.007+02:00

I don't believe in violence or war, but I do believe in the global war against cancer.
Cancer is a global enemy.
We lose 2 Europeans and 1 American to cancer every single minute.

UNACCEPTABLE!

This is a monumental challenge and the results will affect each of us.
On October 25th, I will do a 5k run in downtown Austin.
On October 26th, I will do a 45 mile cycling ride around Dripping Springs.
I have a shirt and a jersey to wear.

What's missing is the names of cancer survivors/warriors/angels/caregivers to do this ride and walk in honor/in support/in honor of. What's missing is the names of the people that are the reasons we're all participating in this challenge.

So, if you make a donation to my LAF fundraising account and send me the name of someone you'd like me to walk or ride for, I'll wear a card during the challenge and mail that card to you afterwards. No donation is too small- every donation will make a difference and will help to save lives. Just give as much as you can!

We're often told that a single person can't make that much of a difference.
WRONG!
It might be your donation and your $$$ that will get us a major breakthrough in the fight against cancer.

Don't think about donating later- do it now! Make a difference now! Donate now!
'Cause what are we waiting for?

For those of you who can't make a donation but would like me to run or ride for a loved one, please contact me and I'll include you and/or your loved ones during the event and will e-mail you the card later on.

This is the global fight against cancer- this is the war against cancer I support from the bottom of my heart and the surface of my skin. Will you join me?

Contact me: LSArmyEurope[at]aol.com

Learning to breathe

2008-09-20T09:32:00.003+02:00

Oh boy... today I decided to start my next challenge and did a 30 minute morning run (well, I ran for the most part ;-). I had to go to the post office, anyway, so I took the opportunity to combine that with the first day of "marathon training".

Yep, I decided to train for a major marathon. Due to my constant thyroid issues I'm taking my time getting there, though. I'm planning to run a marathon in 1 1/2 - 2 years. I haven't decided what marathon would be best- I guess my dream would be Boston, obviously, but that would take some major improvements and a lot of fundraising (which I plan to do while getting ready, anyway), but a more realistic one would be the London or Berlin marathon. Let's see how this will turn out- but I already have a great motivation: a finisher's medal from the 2006 Walt Disney World Marathon that my friend Michael sent me. If you look real hard, you can actually see the medal on the picture of my inspirational corner (right).

Good thing I made that plan and not stressed myself with getting ready in 4 months (which I read is a possible time-frame for regular runners). Turns out, I need to learn how to breathe again. After all the time that I stopped running or doing much of a workout, I got a little rusty. But I guess that all comes back to me once I run more regularly and get a bit of a routine.

The good thing is, cycling seems to be that much easier for me after I run. I got on my stationary bike right after I returned and it seemed so effortless and was actually pretty fun!!