RUN FOR LIFE

[Scott337]

So here's the thing.   Like many of you, I felt some particular calling, yearning, higher sense of purpose or whatever we may choose to categorize the motivation as, to make a difference in someone's life and through this, maybe make a difference in my own.  Being about eight months post-op, I find myself again wondering if I've done enough.  Is there something more I'm being moved to do.  Is there more we ALL can do to help those who are waiting and praying for the gift of Life?

I live just outside of Duluth, Minnesota, home of the World renowned GRANDMA's MARATHON.  Each year in June (coming up this year on June 18), GRANDMA'S RESTAURANT sponsors a 26 mile marathon along the beautiful North shore of Lake Superior (starting in Two Harbors, Minnesota and running along the spectacular North Shore Scenic Highway and finishing on Canal Park in downtown Duluth).  Look it up on the internet.  Along with the Marathon is a sponsored half marathon (13 miles), also finishing in downtown Duluth. 

What I'm proposing is a large public awareness and education campaign where we, LIVING DONORS, train for and run the half marathon to show people (possibly those who may think about future living donation), that not only does living donation provide a "gift-of-life" for those in such great need, but also demonstrate that living donors can and DO live healthy, active and normal lives. 

Now I'm not a runner, but when I decided to donate to a young man from the Duluth area, I was way overweight, out-of-shape and certainly not the ideal donor.  I began exercising, eating right and after 7 months, had lost 70 pounds, several pants sizes and was in great shape to donate.  Although I planned on continuing this healthy life-style post-op to give myself the best opportunity to recover and live a healthy everafter.  What I didn't count on, was how strong I had become and I began running this spring and routinely increase my distances.  My point, if I can do it, I'm certain there are others who have experienced something similar in their life.  Additionally, I've seen several posts where many of you have talked about being runners.

I have a good friend who is a news anchor locally and I'm certain would love the opportunity for an exclusive, in-depth news series on this, especially being she was the one who aired the initial interview and plea for a kidney for my eventual recipient.  GRANDMAS MARATHON entries number about 10,000 runners (I would approach organizers to get our group entered - hopefully at a discounted entry fee or for free).  My wife is a manager for SUBWAY restaurants and would approach her owner (who owns about fifty stores) to sponsor us by purchasing running shirts/shorts for each of us with advertising for living kidney donation and in the appropriate color.  To reach a broader audience, I would arrange for my news anchor friend to burn a copy of the entire store to dvd for each of you to bring back to your local areas in the hopes you could find a local media outlet to run the story also. 

I would also approach one of the leading kidney transplant programs in the country (University of Minnesota- Dr. Arthur Matas) to attempt to secure a spokes person for news interviews, etc...that is a subject matter expert.

We (my wife and I, along with a couple of key friends where I work - Duluth Police Department), would locate reduced rate hotel accommodations or sponsor homes with several of our police officers for any of you to stay (you would need to find your own way here) and we would sponsor several groups meals for us.

My hope (prayer) is that through this event, we might educate others about the need for living donors, about how ANY ONE of us can make a difference in someone else's life and that living donation, although not for everyone, might be for THEM.  I won't pursue this without first finding out if any (or how many) of you may be interested in participating in this event for NEXT summer (June 2012).  If you're interested, please contact me.  I hope this doesn't sound crazy but I think it would be a successful and positive event.

thanks all

Scott 

[shelley]

Scott, i just have to respond to this wonderful post of yours.  Your heart is so in this!  Your story of growing toward health is so encouraging.  I know it encourages me.

I hope you get lots of responses and that Grandmas Marathon becomes a reality for the word about donation to get out!  This is beautiful country you're talking about.  Spent a week on Lake Superior north of Grand Marais, oh my word!  breathtaking!  God so lives there.

I am sooooo not a runner.  Marathon....the word makes me shudder.  I do have a recumbent bike that I rode from Grand Marais along the excellent bike trail..........

i'm just sayin...   i'm interested in the idea, but not in running. 

[Fr Pat]

Dear Scott,
     Great idea! I recently saw a notice from the NY chapter of the National Kidney Foundation that they were gathering names of donors and recipients who planned to run in the New York Marathon, in order to do something as a "team", have special shirts, do publicity, etc. I might suggest that you contact National Kidney Foundation branches in your area to see if they are doing something, or would be interested. I think it would be great to include both recipients and donors. At the U.S. Transplant Games 5km run many recipients ran with pictures of their deceased or living donors on their shirts, as a recognition and "thank you". Some of the donor families were very comforted at seeing healthy recipients running thanks to the donated organs of their deceased loved ones.
     I still manage to do one Marathon a year, at age 65, 9 years after donation, althouth I just barely make it in 6 hours. I run here in Okinawa, Japan.
     For the less energetic, the National Kidney Foundation organizes many local "Kidney Walks" to raise funds and awareness. You can get a list of all the scheduled Walks throughout the country at their website www.kidney.org
     Fr. Pat

[PhilHoover]

If the event happens, I'll be there.

[Scott337]

Thanks everyone for you comments and advice.  One way or another, it will happen.  How large or small our group, I'm not certain.  I very much, once again appreciate your sage advice Fr. Pat.   Shelley, I hear you.  I'm not a runner either but I've actually been running 5k or more each day now and slowly working my way up.  I'm not certain if they'd allow bikes, but I can check into that.  It would be nice to include as many people as want to come, no matter the exercise mode.  Phil - you're the best my friend - God Bless you for opting in.  Might I say, you wear your faith well.

Peace all!

Scott

[jmk345]

Scott,
This is a great idea. I will be donating in Madison WI in August and just the last few weeks I was thinking about making next June's Grandma's Half a goal for me!
Great idea!

Joan

[PhilHoover]

If it happens, I'm ALL THE WAY IN...all the way..so I can start my training now...

Phil Hoover
Chicago

[Scott337]

Well, we've got a few committing so far so start training Phil.  Spread the word...if I can figure out how to do it, I will repost the original message a few times in the future.  Thanks all for being so incredibly generous with your gifts and time.  Joan - You're about to become someone's hero!

God Rules!

Scott   

[PhilHoover]

so get me a place to stay (preferably in someone's home), and I'll start saving for the airline ticket....

[ohtobeahayes]

Hi Scott!
My hubby is running Grandma's full marathon this Saturday.
Okay, I'm just going to go ahead and commit. I'll do it.
Also, the kidney chain and I are get to speak at the Twin Cities Walk in October this year. Whaddaya think? Should I let the NKF  girls know what you're up to or should I wait til there are a few more people "in"? 

You're so awesome!
One of the recipients in the chain also lives in the Duluth area.

Nicki

[Scott337]

Nicki,

Great!  You can let the NKF folks know if you want - we already have about five people committed and I'm guessing we'll gain and lose a few along the way.  I'm glad you're in my friend.  Tell your husband to have a great run and enjoy.

Phil, Joan, Shelley - you're all great and thanks for supporting this - spread the news to our friends here who may not have heard about it. I'll repost the solicitation from time-to-time for newbies.

As I find corporate sponsors, I'll ask for suggestions for design on running shirts and sizes.  Once I have a better idea of the number participating, I'll start checking into lodging and home sponsors within my agency.   

Phil - I'd be honored to host you in my home if you'd like.

Thanks all

Scott   

[PhilHoover]

Scott,

You've got a deal, buddy.

[ohtobeahayes]

I'd pm you this, cept it keeps the thread near the top. Heather, another donor in the chain, is in for this too.
Are you wishing to keep this all donors? What if there's a recipient that wants to, or a supportive husband or wife? Cullen wants to run it also.

[Scott337]

More the merrier.  Depending on numbers, we may need to have people make their own arrangements for lodging and such, but we'll deal with that when it happens.  I'm going to approach the Grandma's Marathon folks after this marathon and see if they are willing to help us out with entries and fees, etc....then I'll start some of the other stuff rolling (seeking some corporate sponsors for shirts, etc...).  

I'm going to plan a dinner get-together for us all at a local park or at my house (outside picnic) afterward for those who wish to stay and attend.  Great chance to celebrate and get to know each other a bit.  

Thanks and keep spreading the word.

Scott    

[ohtobeahayes]

Awesome!!!!  I shouldn't speak for Heather, but I'm gonna- her uncle (kidney recipient in the chain) lives not far from you, and we're only a couple hours away, so we won't need lodging.  I'll try to help keep a running tally of who will and who won't (at least for the people I get to commit). I did email my friends at the NKF also. They love this stuff. You're so awesome!