Twelve years ago, I was told I was terminal. I was told that in all likelihood, I would not survive to see the next decade. I was lucky. I recovered. I am now healthy and today I am challenging myself on multiple levels, athletically, intellectually, and more. I am in medical school, with hopes of volunteering for Medecins Sans Frontieres one day. I am also riding my bicycle in extreme endurance events, raising funds for worthy charities I feel help others in ways similar to what saved my own life. Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders is one of those charities.

On June 11, some friends with Club Hypoxia and I will be riding in the Alta Alpina Challenge, a grueling 200 mile cycling event over 8 mountain passes, gaining over 20,000 vertical feet- in a single day.  Join me in this effort with your donation to Doctors Without Borders. Your contribution can help save lives by bringing health care to places that don't normally have access.  I'm also scheduled to ride in Colorado's Triple Bypass, the Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans climb (race), and the Deer Creek Challenge.  I'll be doing a couple of other events for other charities that are important to me as well.

I'm not sure how well I'll do at this point, as I was struck by an SUV in a hit & run while training, and am currently recovering from the injuries. My bicycle was destroyed, but with the help of a friend, I now have new wheels, but less than a month to train for my first big event of the season. I'm not giving up, though. These charities mean too much to me for that.  I have a feeling that the mental effort will be playing a big role in this, puulling me through to the finish.  Like little Coleman (a child with cancer who I rode for last year), I'll "Neva Div Up!"

Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support-- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Feel free to visit my training blog on LiveStrong, to follow my progress!  Cheers! Belinda http://www.livestrong.com/profile/CircaRigel