******** Updated September 15....  Ironman Wisconsin a Success!!  ********

***  Website collecting donations until Jan. 1st, 2010 ***

***  Actor Patrick Swayze passes away from Pancreatic Cancer on 9/14, Age 57 ***

Dear Friends and Family-

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for The Lustgarten Foundation to help find a cure for Pancreatic Cancer!

I have successfully completed my first ever Ironman distance triathlon this past September 13th in Madison, WI  (2.4 miles swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run.....a total of 140.6 miles).  Race information and results available at: http://www.ironmanwisconsin.com

The Ironman Race gained worldwide attention in 1982 after an inspiring performance by a young college student named Julie Moss.  Here is a quick video clip of what happened in Hawaii:

 www.youtube.com/watch

This was followed by another inspirational race in 1997:

www.youtube.com/watch

I completed this event to honor my late mother and raise funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer- one of the most lethal and painful of all cancers.  My mother succumbed to this disease on her 58th birthday after a brave and very painful ten week battle after diagnosis.  As anyone who knew her would tell you, she had a heart of gold and did not deserve this fate.

In 2009 there will be about 42,000 people in the U.S.getting the grim news that they have pancreatic cancer and approximately 35,000 people will die from this horrible disease. Pancreatic cancer (PC) trails only lung, colon and breast cancer in total annual deaths.  Less than 5% of people survive after five years with PC.

For a quick snapshot on PC go to this link at Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatic_cancer

To make matters even worse, with PC's high mortality rate compared to the leading cancers comes the sad fact that the advocacy base to battle for research dollars is small.  This is because there are so few PC survivors to fight for the cause.  This results in a great disparity in funding from the government and private industry. There is just not enough "squeeking" to get the "grease".

Well- I figure we can all get together and help make a little more "NOISE"!

I researched The Lustgarten Foundation thoroughly and the cool thing about this organization is that 100% of every dollar raised will go directly to PC research.  Cablevision Systems Corporation underwrites all of The Lustgarten Foundation's administrative expenses.

To get more information on them please visit: www.lustgarten.org

These are difficult economic times so please do not feel that you have to donate- I completely understand if you can not.  Even a kind note of inspiration or story you have of my mother would be helpful.  Or simply passing my fundraising link to others in your address book would be awesome.

As for the Wisconsin Ironman event: I read the many messages and letters I received with my sister, Caroline, the morning of the race for that last dose of motivation and inspiration.  Caroline traveled from Florida to be my personal support crew- thanks Sis!!  The weather was sunny and warm, the crowds massive, and the event well organized.  Nearly 2,200 athletes from 20 countries and all 50 states participated.  I beat my stretch goal of 12 hours by over 5 minutes- coming in at 11:54.19.  During the last 8 miles of the marathon I was able to quicken the pace by over a minute per mile - truly inspired by the spirit of my mom and the support and love from my sister.  Thanks to Chris Dose and Rusty Nowak for traveling to Madison to cheer me on at the finish line with my sis.

Donating through the firstgiving.com website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.  If you want to write a check instead please make it out to "The Lustgarten Foundation" and mail it to my home address. If you work for an employer that has a corporate  gift matching program please do not forget to utilize it if possible.  All donations are tax deductible.

My first goal is to raise $5,800.00:  $100.00 for each year that Mom lived so happily- enriching the lives of those she met with her generousity and contagious smile. Her love of animals and fighting for their rights will always be one of my strongest memories too. 

My stretch goal is to raise $100.00 for every mile I completed in the Ironman event for a total of $14,060.00. 

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to help too!

My additional contact information is:

Personal email-  bartucz@execpc.com

Mailing Address: 212B 55th St., Kenosha, WI  53140

Phone:  414-350-3433

Don't forget to bookmark this page as I plan on editing it fairly regularly to keep everyone updated on my progress.

Have a Fantastic Day....     Chaz

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 Thank you to the following supporters for their generous contributions by check:

Gary & Joy Hagen

Tom & Debbie Tinsley

Peter and Debbie Nutting

ENDO Pharmaceuticals 

Donna Mosca