I am writing to announce my 9th annual “Ride From Reno for Huntsman Cancer Institute” (HCI), which will begin on Monday, June 7th, and conclude on Saturday, June 12th.  My friends Larry Peterson and Jason Bleak will be joining me this year (Larry for the 3rd time, Jason for the 1st) as we ride to raise funds for the leading-edge work done at HCI in the search for better tolerated, less toxic treatments for cancer and, ultimately, cures for the >150 types of this damnable disease.

It’s now been 10-years since I was diagnosed with Stage IV squamous cell cancer, and I consider everyday a blessing.  Whenever I am greeted by someone and they say, “Nice to see you!” I respond the same way:  “Better to be seen than viewed!”  And I mean it.  I stood a zero to 25% chance of surviving 5-years and, after the amazing treatment I received from Dr. Gordon Watson and his associates at Huntsman Cancer Institute, I’m still here . . . loving my family, loving my friends, and loving life.  Today truly is a great day to be alive and I’m so grateful to be here in mortality.

Both Larry and Jason know how tenuous life is and how quickly cancer can change things.  Jason lost his sister, Alison, age 46, to cancer a little over a year ago, and Larry lost his sister, Carla, age 59, earlier this year.  I know during our 667-mile ride from Reno to HCI in Salt Lake City both Alison and Carla will be close to their hearts.

Cancer really is everywhere.  My dear friend and cycling companion, Todd Handy, was diagnosed with cancer last year.  After being hit by a car while he was out on his bike on a training ride.  It was during the CT scans done to assess the injuries from being struck by the car that enlarged lymph-nodes were discovered.  And after being treated at HCI, Todd is back on the bike, back to health, and gratefully living a wonderful life with his family. No one will ever be able to convince me that Heavenly Father doesn’t work in mysterious and sometimes unbelievable ways.  During the past year, two friends who were part of last year’s Ride From Reno, Paul Berg and Sheri Faught, lost their battles with cancer.  When I say cancer is everywhere, I’m not being melodramatic.  Cancer, and the lives and families scarred by this disease are all around us.

Many of you know our youngest son, Joshua, has Down Syndrome.  Josh is the light of my life, and I love him more than I could ever articulate.  Josh has a schoolmate, Brian, also with Down Syndrome.  Brian’s dad lost his battle with cancer just two weeks ago.  Knowing how much Josh means to me, and I mean to him, I can’t begin to imagine what Brian is feeling right now.  Which breaks my heart.  And deepens my resolve, as if it needed deepening, for this ride to support the tremendous mission of HCI:  “To understand cancer from its beginnings, to use that knowledge in the creation and improvement of cancer treatments, to relieve the suffering of cancer patients, and to provide education about cancer risk, prevention, and care.”

So I am asking you once again to open your wallet, purse, checkbook, debit card, or credit card, and make a generous donation to Huntsman Cancer Institute.  I know there are many voices and needs clamoring for our support; earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, tornadoes in the US, famine in Africa.  The list seems endless and most of the needs and causes are noble.  What I’m asking you to do, however, is support a critical need that will ultimately benefit you or a member of your family.  The sad fact is 1 out of 3 women and 1 out of 2 men will have cancer in their lifetimes.  Given these disturbing statistics, contributing to HCI through my Ride From Reno will eventually have a personal benefit to you.  It is not a question of “if” you or your family will have to deal with cancer; unfortunately, the question is “when?”  And when it does happen, I can tell you from personal experience that Huntsman Cancer Institute, and the research done there, will provide a safe haven for you and your family.

This year Miche Bag, their CEO, Corbin Church, and 6 or 7 other associates will be joining the Ride From Reno.  As will Dean Gestal, CEO of Reynolds Cycling, and several Reynolds associates.  Both Miche Bag and Reynolds Cycling have taken their community citizenship responsibility to world-class levels.  Both companies know they cannot single-handedly conquer cancer but understand that, together, we can make a difference.  Joining our corporate family this year will also be Bountiful Bike, Nate Wade Subaru, Droubay Chevrolet, and Epic Biking, all of whose support will be invaluable.  My heartfelt thanks to all.

So, please make a generous contribution to Huntsman Cancer Institute through my Ride From Reno.  Contribute online at:  https://www.huntsmancancerfoundation.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=235.  If you donate online, please write “Jeff Warren’s Ride From Reno” in the comments area.  To warm the cockles of the heart of a Harland Clarke associate, checks can be made payable to “Huntsman Cancer Foundation” and sent to me at:  Jeff Warren, 147 East 400 South, Centerville, Utah, 84014.  Please be generous in your giving.  Giving until it hurts is appreciated.

You will be able to keep track of what’s happening during the ride via www.ikickedcancersbutt.org.  We’ll be posting daily updates and pics so check in often.  And, when inspiration (or boredom) strike, take a moment to leave your encouragement and comments in the Guestbook section of the website.

Once again, I will be carrying in my seat-pack a list of names of people who have (or have had) cancer.  It’s my way of sending a message to this freakin’ disease that we’ll never forget those who’ve fought the valiant fight, and also my way of honoring those with whom I feel a very special camaraderie.  Whether you’re able to donate or not, if you’d like me to carry the name(s) of your family member or friend, I’d be honored to do so and consider it a sacred trust.  Please forward your names to me.  e-Mail is fine (anaerobic3@gmail.com).  If you’ve submitted names in the past, they’ll continue to remain on my list from previous year’s Rides.

Thank you for your generosity,

Jeff Warren (jeff@ikickedcancersbutt.org)

P.S.  When you get home from the office this evening, hug your spouse a little longer and harder, play with the children a little more enthusiastically, call your Mom and Dad and tell them how proud you are to be their son or daughter, or call your children and tell them how proud you are to call them yours.  We put off to many important things until tomorrow, and none of us know how many tomorrows we have left.