Honoring Fallen Star Matthew 1996-2009
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation!
Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
This year, it's Personal ...
We've lost two Stars. Antonio's buddy, Matthew, passed away just before Christmas last year. So, Antonio has had to experience the grief of losing a friend his own age. Just after the New year, we learned of another young boy who lost his fight.
No kid should have to experience the loss of a friend to the hemorrhage of a brain tumor. And, no parents should have to experience the loss of their child so abruptly and tragically.
- My wife's sibling, just prior to her in the birth order, died at the age of 2
- A work associate is challenged 2 ways- his daughter, and her grandmother (see www.firstgiving.com/katieproctor2010)
- A neighbor, who is 2 days older than Antonio, is undergoing treatment
- A friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 2, and given 6 months to live. This was Matthew- He made it to 13 1/2.
Update- July 25 X-Riders Ride Honoring the Memory of Matthew
The morning started out scary- I was awakened at about 5:30 by thunderstorms. But, by the time I left the house at 8:30, the pavement was beginning to dry up. The start of the ride was overcast. But, halfway through, the sun started poking through the clouds. And, not long after, the skies were beautiful blue.
The ride covered about 85 miles, traveling through parts of four counties- Wayne, Washtenaw, Livingston and Oakland. It ended with a picnic in Hines Park. There were about 75 bikes, mostly Hondas. The fun things about this ride were:
- Seeing the patrol cars lined up from four different counties, a total of five municipalities, each sharing the responsibility as we passed through each jurisdiction
- As always, counting the number of stop signs and red lights that we could "blow through"
- Coincidently, the ride was pretty much a tour of Matthew's favorite (or at least memorable) places-
- The house in Canton
- The University of Michigan Hospital
- The Dexter Bakery
- The Dexter Cider Mill
- The house on the lake
- Hudson Mills Metropark
- Family house on Whitmore Lake
The ride also went through South Lyon and Northville before turning to head toward Edward Hines Park.
It was a wonderful day, and I am very grateful that I was priviledged to share it with Cheryl and Brian- Matthew's parents, Stephanie, Gary, Deb and Bill- Matthew's grandparents, Becky and others of Mathew's aunts and uncles. Some came from as far away as North Carolina to participate.
The "Big" ride is coming up at the end of August. Please help me to show support for the family, and the cause for which they have been so involuntarily and intimately involved.
To sponsor Mitch and Antonio for this year's Ride for Kids®:
By credit card- 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.
By check, please make check payable to: “Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation”, “PBTF”, “Ride for Kids” or “RFK”, and mail in time for receipt by August 21 to either of the following:
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Mitch Strang
UMHS MCIT ALB2-2-2318
4251 Plymouth Rd. Ste 2200A
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-3640
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Ride for Kids Sponsorship
Mitch Strang
8441 Trail Ridge
Dexter, MI 48130-9389
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In cash, please contact Mitch directly so that a receipt may be provided for your tax records.
Your support for this cause is greatly appreciated.
Whether or not you choose to be involved, please help spread the word by forwarding this note to anyone you think might find it of interest.
Sincerely,
Mitch Strang