Thank you for visiting my Riding for Renal Fundraising Page. I'm currently training for the Triple Bypass bicycle race on July 10, 2010- 120 miles through the Colorado Rockies, crossing 3 mountain passes and reaching an elevation of nearly 12,000 ft.  I am dedicating my training and this ride to raising awareness about renal disease, and raising funds to help others who face its challenges.

Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with Collapsing Glomerulopathy, a severe kidney disease that in most cases leads to end stage renal failure, a life of dialysis, and death.  I was lucky.  I recovered.  For two years, I was in and out of hospitals.  During one of those years, I spent a total of four months hospitalized, a week or two or three at a time.  My recovery was slow.  Since then, it has been a long road recovering my energy levels and strength.

Today I am healthy, and am pursuing a career in medicine. In my efforts to increase my fitness, I am taking it upon myself to train for this race, which I've wanted to do for a long time.  If, through this, I can also help bring about awareness about renal disease and help in the prevention of some of the more common forms, which ARE preventable, all the better.  If I can help raise funds to help support those who are already affected, even better still.

Help me bring about awareness to prevent kidney disease, and to raise funds to help research and assist people in overcoming kidney disease, just as I overcame it.  You just might help save a life!

Donating through this site is tax deductible, simple, fast and completely 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!

Please follow my training blog for information about my own journey, my training for this extreme bicycle race, health and safety tips, and more!  http://www.livestrong.com/profile/CircaRigel

For the full history of the challenges I faced, and where this all began, please view this blog entitled "Anniversary... the day it began- Diagnosis"

If you or someone you know would like to get involved as a Riding for Renal team member, please send your emails here: tnilson@kidneycimw.org  Tracey is my contact at the National Kidney Foundation.

Or you can contact me at tazowolf@gmail.com

Thanks for your support! -Belinda