A Birthday Note I Will Never Forget

Country Miles

Enjoyed some country miles today. Another day well spent.

Gifts of Mass Destruction

“When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself. ” -Jacques Cousteau

If this awesome quote by Jacques Cousteau does not stir you up, you may want to check your pulse! We all have, "GMD's" ("Gifts of Mass Destruction"), RELEASE THEM!

LIVESTRONG DAY 2010, "THE CAROLINAS CARE" EVENT

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9JEG8VLY

(Please feel free to download, print out and pass around or be "Greener" and forward via email, facebook, etc. ...Thanks!)

Livestrong Day, “The Carolinas Care” Event


On LIVESTRONG Day, October 2, 2010, Livestrong Groups from SC will meet up with Livestrong Groups from NC at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC for a day of demonstrating living strong after cancer. Upstate residents are invited to come along with Livestrong Upstate SC for a day of Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Adventure Course, Zip, Mega Jump, Mountain Biking, (Bike Rental included) and much more to celebrate survivorship and proving there is life during and after a cancer diagnosis.

LIVESTRONG Day is the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s (LAF) one-day initiative to unite people affected by cancer in raising awareness of cancer issues in communities across the world. Livestrong North Carolina Leader, Sally Nix and myself as leader of Livestrong Upstate South Carolina decided to unite the Carolinas for this year’s Livestrong Day Event.

Cancer kills more people globally than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined and has been determined this year to be the leading cause of death. Our event is one of 1000 local LIVESTRONG Day events to be held across the world in an effort to build a grassroots movement to drive social change and make cancer a global priority.

On Saturday, October 2, 2010, Livestrong Day will be celebrated at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC. (U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214) http://www.usnwc.org/ From 10:00am to 5:00pm, at a discounted price of $40, You will have the opportunity to participate in the variety of challenges the Whitewater Center has to offer as often as you would like within the time scheduled for the event. Lunch will not be provided but there is a restaurant and market on the premises with great options.

“Participating in LIVESTRONG Day is important to me as a survivor of two different stage four cancers. I know that we can overcome this disease with a determined attitude, a tenacious mindset”, and unwavering faith. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to support cancer survivors and encourage people in the Upstate of South Carolina to unite together to end the needless death and suffering from the disease that 28 million people are fighting today.”


LIVESTRONG Day 2010 will create a global day of action in the cancer fight one person, one act and one location at a time. October 2, 2010, the anniversary of Lance Armstrong’s cancer diagnosis, represents a day of challenge and hope.

Mayor Roberts and Governor Sanford have provided Livestrong Upstate SC with Proclamations stating October 2, 2010 as Livestrong Day.

To learn more about LIVESTRONG Day, visit www.livestrong.org/livestrongday.

About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, we fight for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. There can be – and should be – life after cancer for more people. That’s why we kick in at the moment of diagnosis, giving people the resources and support they need to fight cancer head-on. We find innovative ways to raise awareness, fund research and end the stigma about cancer that many survivors face. We connect people and communities to drive social change, and we call for state, national and world leaders to help fight this disease. Anyone anywhere can join our fight against cancer. Join us at http://www.livestrong.org/. You can join our local grassroots movement, Livestrong Upstate SC by visiting: http://www.LivestrongUpstateSC.org

The BuK

BuK (German Design)

The most Dynamic (had to say it) boat on the market! These are 2009 models with new features to make the design a little better. - Dynamic Dragon Boating

Livestrong Upstate SC is working to bring a second dragon boat to the Upstate of SC.

Livestrong Upstate raised funds, purchased a Swift Dragon Boat, directed and trained a local group of survivors and their supporters in Anderson and now have hopes of raising funds to purchase one of these beautiful BuK boats for a surrounding area of the Upstate.

Dragon Boating is a floating support group with a history of incredible benefits for the breast cancer survivor. Our goal is to form a full blown program modeled after our friends in Charleston where cancer survivors and their caregivers can leave cancer and cancer treatments at the dock and share a place of hope and healing through each reach and pull of the paddle. (A breast cancer survivor team for the "Ladies (bc survivors) Only" division races will be established). If you are located anywhere in the Upstate and would be interested in sponsoring our Upstate program or "PaddleStrong" with Livestrong, contact upstatedragonboating@gmail.com.


Your new normal will not be normal as you awaken your dragon.

"Paddles Up"

Livestrong Day 2010 Event

"The Carolinas Care" Event

This year's Livestrong Day (October 2nd), Livestrong South Carolina will be teaming up with Livestrong North Carolina, at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC for some Whitewater Rafting, Zip Line, Mountain Biking, etc. The idea for this year's event is to demonstrate "Living Strong". We will qualify to receive group rates and all day passes for the various adventures so we'll divide the cost among the group. (There are some fundraising opportunities before the date and we will apply these funds to the overall cost of the trip). If you would be interested in joining us for a day of celebrating life (and/or helping us raise the funds to apply towards the cost of the adventure that will help cancer fighters/survivors & caregivers to attend), please email ajsuttles@bellsouth.net or visit LivestrongUpstateSC.org
NOTE: We are making plans now to join up with other Livestrong Groups throughout SC, meet up with North Carolina's Livestrong Group/Groups to make this a "Carolina" Event. More info to follow that will include trip fees, deadlines, additional contact emails, etc. (as well as, any fundraising events). Again for immediate interest from Livestrong SC, you can email ajsuttles@bellsouth.net
or Visit LivestrongUpstateSC.org... we will need to confirm the count several weeks prior in order to confirm reservations so there will be a deadline to sign up.(Also, If you do not feel you would be able to participate in some of the adventures we will be participating in, you will be able to pick and choose your events while there or feel free to just come and hang out).

(Will post contact info for Livestrong North Carolina soon)

http://www.usnwc.org/

Come and Livestrong with us!

UPDATE on this year's Livestrong Day, "The Carolinas Care" Event at The Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC. The event will take place on Oct. 2nd (Officially, Livestrong Day) from 10:00 to 5:00. The Whitewater Center has offered us a great deal and waived some fees for us as cancer survivors and families. For $40 a person, you will be able to participate in all the activities The Whitewater Center offers including Whitewater Rafting, Whitewater Kayaking, Zip Line, Ropes Course, Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking (Bike Rental included in price) through 310 acres and much more. You will be able to participate as much as you want to in all the activities throughout the day. There is a Grill&Bar on the premises, as well as, a market for your choice of lunch. We need a head count by September 1rst so please contact us, Angie Suttles (SC) or Sally Nix (NC) to confirm you will be joining us for this awesome day of living strong. For more info: ajsuttles@bellsouth.net or salnix@bellsouth.net

This is an awesome song and I couldn't get it out of my head today....guess 'cause I'm alive and feeling fine!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO-h8y8TgoE&feature=related

"How many more days can you hold out,
How much longer can you wait?" she asked.
There was a time I thought I, I could answer
But my tongue gets tied as my thoughts drift away.

Glory, Glory - Hallelujah
The sun is shining, shining down
Glory, Glory - Hallelujah
I'm alive and I'm feeling, feeling fine

All those simple thoughts all those peaceful dreams,
Share the space with a hard worked, hard worked day
But it's the little things, the little things not expectation
That make life worth living, worth living.

Glory, Glory - Hallelujah
The sun is shining, shining down
Glory, Glory - Hallelujah
I'm alive, and the world Lord, world is fine
Glory, Glory - Hallelujah
The sun is shining, shining down
Glory, Glory - Hallelujah
I'm alive and I'm feeling Lord, feeling, feeling, feeling fine.

Got word today that Nike chose my message as one of the Livestrong Inspirational Messages for the Tour de France so somewhere in France, my message, "We're Not Spinning Out, We're Riding On" is painted on a road.

Very Cool!

Summary, Excerts & Order Form for our book, "Reaching for Life"

Reaching for Life

Note from the publisher of our book, "Reaching for Life"...


This is an update on the Reaching for Life project.


We formally launched the book on July 25, 2010, at the USDBF U.S. Club Crew National Dragon Boat Racing Championships held in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Five of the authors were present at the launch—all of them participating actively with BCS racing teams!


What was the response? The book sold out its entire first print-run in three days!


We are working on a second printing now. Earlier today, we received an ISSN number from the U.S. Library of Congress! So, spread the word: The project is growing!



Note from me as one of the authors who contributed to this work:

I am excited that the book is doing so well and my prayer for this work is that women and men, who are battling cancer, would read these testimonies, our stories, and be inspired beyond all reasoning. There is life in and after cancer waiting to be lived!

"Paddles Up"


See post from August 7th for the Official Order Form, a one-paragraph summary (description) of the book, and a copy of the “Foreword” comments from the IDBF and USDBF officials. Feel free to distribute these to as many people as you can.(All proceeds will benefit cancer survivor dragon boat activities all over the country).

Mountains & Rivers

Creeks & Springs

Great Folks

Farms

Vineyards

Beautiful Ponds

Green Pastures

Sights & Sounds of Tennesse: Waterfalls