Our 2024 Get Your Rear in Gear - Twin Cities Team Page
Happy Birthday Rich And Susie
Happy Birthday Rich and Susie
MORE THAN 1 MILLION DOLLARS GIVEN BACK TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
It’s official…20 is a magical number.
20 years ago in October, I begged life-long friends, “work friends” and running friends to help me host a meeting to start the Colon Cancer Coalition (we incorporated).
We began planning for the very first Get Your Rear in Gear for March of 2005.
The goal was to give 75% back to the local area to educate and increase the colonoscopy rate. We also wanted to make the words “colon, colorectal and rectum” dinner talk.
Our first year, we broke the state participant record for a first time 5k in the state. Then, we handed a check of $50,000 to the MN Colon and Rectal Foundation.
20 years later, the Colon Cancer Coalition has played an important hand in lowering the colorectal cancer death rate by 8.2%.
None of this work would ever have happened, had my sister Susie not created a grass roots movement in the Seattle area.
In 2000, Susie brought out a herd of people wearing t-shirts with “Get Your Rear in Gear” to an existing rotary run. The Mercer Island Rotary Club, moved by her work, changed the event to fund colorectal cancer.
In 2002, Susie succumbed to the disease, but she left a dream behind to change it.
I was proud to lead the organization, until 2014, when I stepped aside. Cancer had taken my mother, my sister and graced itself on 4 siblings, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
With incredible leadership in place today, I now get to be a participant on October 20th for the 20th anniversary 5k and 10k.
October 20th is miraculously also Susie’s birthday…and, Rich’s birthday.
Who’s Rich?
Well, Rich is the guy who won my heart. Like Susie, he has that extra spurt of life and laughter that makes life for the living.
I am so proud of the work the Colon Cancer Coalition has done for this world.
There is more work to do to stop colorectal cancer from being the #2 cancer killer (especially with the sharp rise of colorectal cancer with those under 45).
Join my team for a beautiful 5k walk/run or a 10k run on October 20th at Harriet Island…and to celebrate Rich and Susie’s birthday.
Shhhh…please wear a Halloween costume or Viking’s gear for a big birthday party and fun on the run. Rich loves both Halloween and the Vikes…and, I love seeing him smile.
If you can’t join us in-person, I dare you to “GET YOUR REAR IN GEAR” and walk or run a 5k or 10k on the 20th.
You can also participate by a donation.
Strides need to happen and can with your generous donation too.
HERE IS TO 20!!
Ching! Ching!
It’s official…20 is a magical number.
20 years ago in October, I begged life-long friends, “work friends” and running friends to help me host a meeting to start the Colon Cancer Coalition (we incorporated).
We began planning for the very first Get Your Rear in Gear for March of 2005.
The goal was to give 75% back to the local area to educate and increase the colonoscopy rate. We also wanted to make the words “colon, colorectal and rectum” dinner talk.
Our first year, we broke the state participant record for a first time 5k in the state. Then, we handed a check of $50,000 to the MN Colon and Rectal Foundation.
20 years later, the Colon Cancer Coalition has played an important hand in lowering the colorectal cancer death rate by 8.2%.
None of this work would ever have happened, had my sister Susie not created a grass roots movement in the Seattle area.
In 2000, Susie brought out a herd of people wearing t-shirts with “Get Your Rear in Gear” to an existing rotary run. The Mercer Island Rotary Club, moved by her work, changed the event to fund colorectal cancer.
In 2002, Susie succumbed to the disease, but she left a dream behind to change it.
I was proud to lead the organization, until 2014, when I stepped aside. Cancer had taken my mother, my sister and graced itself on 4 siblings, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
With incredible leadership in place today, I now get to be a participant on October 20th for the 20th anniversary 5k and 10k.
October 20th is miraculously also Susie’s birthday…and, Rich’s birthday.
Who’s Rich?
Well, Rich is the guy who won my heart. Like Susie, he has that extra spurt of life and laughter that makes life for the living.
I am so proud of the work the Colon Cancer Coalition has done for this world.
There is more work to do to stop colorectal cancer from being the #2 cancer killer (especially with the sharp rise of colorectal cancer with those under 45).
Join my team for a beautiful 5k walk/run or a 10k run on October 20th at Harriet Island…and to celebrate Rich and Susie’s birthday.
Shhhh…please wear a Halloween costume or Viking’s gear for a big birthday party and fun on the run. Rich loves both Halloween and the Vikes…and, I love seeing him smile.
If you can’t join us in-person, I dare you to “GET YOUR REAR IN GEAR” and walk or run a 5k or 10k on the 20th.
You can also participate by a donation.
Strides need to happen and can with your generous donation too.
HERE IS TO 20!!
Ching! Ching!
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