Live as if you knew good health and lungs were not something to be taken for granted.
I think about that a lot of the time. I'm thankful that I have the things that allow me to pursue an active life because not everyone does... or will as they get older.
Why ride 100 miles in a day?
At first it was because a good friend, Ken A., asked me to join him on a Reach the Beach fundraising ride years ago. It really was just for a new experience and to support my friend. To do something fun. AND it was.
Personally though I have had loved ones in my life pass away too soon because of damage they did to their lungs.
My Grandpa Snooks smoked since he was a boy working the corn fields in Indiana. Lung cancer caught up to him in his 60's. He quit cold turkey. Yep, just like that. He was strong in many, many ways. But it was too late. The slow decline. The agonizing fight to live. His quality of life deteriorated pretty quickly. In short, we should have had more time together. And I know he wishes he had had more time too.
Last October, my brother Mike passed at age 54. Even though the doctors determined that he died from multiple cardiac arrests I am sure his smoking since the age of 14 or so had a lot to do with it. He knew the risks, but he was addicted to tobacco. I'm sad he's gone. I had a number of things I wanted to share with him.
Does he know how much of an influence he was on me? Does he know how much I loved him? And appreciated his spirit? It was too soon for him to go.
I am joining thousands of other cyclists and the American Lung Association to raise money to fight lung disease and increase awareness about the importance of lung health.
Lung disease can take someone's breath away, leaving them unable to work, exercise or play. Growing faster than almost any other major illness, lung disease, including lung cancer, asthma and emphysema is the third leading cause of the death in the United States.
Please join me in my efforts to make a difference by making a personal or corporate tax-deductible donation.
Thank you in advance for your support!
All the LOVE,
Carson