Please help me change the lives of children and their families as I compete in my very first Ironman Triathlon in Chattanooga TN on Sept. 28, 2014. It is a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike ride and finishing with a full 26.2 mile marathon. I will be raising money for the Cobb Family in memory of their brave 11 year old daughter Bethany Cobb who passed away April 8, 2014 after a 7 month battle with Metastatic Melanoma and in support of Ride to Give. It takes very little to change the life of a child. Please give to support BETHANY COBB and RIDE TO GIVE.
BETHANY RENE COBB was a vibrant 11 year old girl who was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma on September 19, 2013. Bethany was brave in the face of her 7 month illness but after returning from aggressive treatment at the National Institute of Health Clinical Center in February, her mid-March scans revealed the cancer was too advanced to treat and she was released to the care of Hospice. On March 21st her parents had to share the difficult news with Bethany “that her time with us may be coming to an end and that her journey to our true home, Heaven, may be soon coming.”
No parent should have to prepare their 11 year old daughter for her death, but with a strong faith, the Cobb family faced the next 18 days with peace, grace, and gratitude. As told by her parents, “Bethany Rene Cobb, child of the One True King and on loan to us from our Savior is now with her Father in Heaven who came to take her home at 3:15 pm, Tuesday April 8th, 2014. She went peacefully in the arms of Jesus with many loved ones around her.” Please continue to keep Bethany’s memory alive and pray for her family as they travel on without Bethany.
RIDE TO GIVE is a nonprofit very close to my family's heart as we have personally seen them change the life of a 3 year old boy and his family. RTG was founded last summer by Kaete Nazaroff and her husband, 9-time Ironman Dave Nazaroff. Our family and theirs share the same thought; we didn’t want to be people who only talked about making a difference. They want to produce real results for sick children that are in need. RTG has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help children with all levels of disabilities and injuries. From wheelchair accessible vans to allergy detecting dogs, they are directly impacting the lives of these children. I encourage you to check out the links below… Please follow Bethany's Facebook page and send prayers to her family. Also follow Ride to Give on Facebook and check out their website. Look at their previous causes and look at the infectious smiles and the happy families.
https://www.facebook.com/battlewithbethanycobb
In Ride to Give tradition we will have "$2 Tuesday" where we ask anyone that can to simply donate $2.00. There will also be "Five for Friday" where we ask for a $5.00 donation. When you ask yourself, “Could my small donation make a difference?” please know the answer is absolutely. The Ride to Give motto speaks volumes--- GIVE A LITTLE, CHANGE A LOT. If you are unable to donate, it is completely fine. Pray for us, share our page, whatever you can do will help.
A little about me: I have never competed in any endurance sports in any way. 28 weeks ago I couldn't run a mile and now I have finished my first ½ marathon. I had never ridden a road bike and now I am riding twenty-plus miles at a time. I have a long way to go but I do know this… I am determined to make a change in the lives of people that need help. During every early morning run, evening bike ride or lap in the pool, Bethany and the RTG cause families are my driving force. If you support me along this journey, you will not only have the opportunity to donate and help change a life but you can actually see the lives you change along with me. When it is tough and I want to stop for the day, Bethany and RTG drive me forward. My entire family is on this journey with me. My wife Amanda will be posting updates as well as myself on my Facebook page linked below. I thank you in advance for your prayers and your support.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Life-Changers-Ride-To-Give-Chattanooga-2014/250617638420899
