You are not running, why should I donate?

If you have considered that it would still be the right thing to do but then clicked away, I’m here on video to remind you of why your donation to the American Stroke Association is important.  If you have donated to my fundraising and stroke awareness efforts in past, I sincerely thank you again.  I look forward to your continued support.  I appreciate every penny that comes in, especially in a difficult economy. You can help make a difference.  Every donation counts.  I hope you have been helped by my blog at know-stroke.org, and now is the time for you to step up.  It has been my intent from the start that through putting my story out there I might further educate others about their own condition.  In doing so I have been blessed to get to know many of you personally over the phone and many have expressed thanks and stated they will become more informed  in their local community to spread awareness.   That is terrific!  If you play my video you’ll see why (more than ever this year) I’ll need your help.  That’s right, if you’ve already played the video, you know a knee injury has forced me out of the Boston Marathon this year.  Even so, I can  run the marathon in spirit with my sister and continue to move forward with my national stroke awareness campaign.

Please play the video and read my attached campaign summary and stroke awareness update I have prepared here>  knowstrokedotorgprogressreport . I’ve also included a print version of my fundraising request form if you would prefer to mail in a donation here> 2010BostonMarathonPrintDonationForm.

You can also donate right now through our secure online donation link.  Donations to the American Stroke association are tax deductible.  You’ll see when you click the link, my wife and I have started off the donations  by showing our support for my sister Lori through a $150 dollar donation (or $50 each) to honor each of our three children.

Please help me continue to reach my stroke awareness goals and help my sister cross the finish line in Boston 2010

Click Here> DONATE NOW!

Corporate Donors can Cross the Boston Marathon finish line too!

In my next post later in the week I’ll update you on how  top corporate or individual donors can get their logo or brand visible and cross the finish line with my sister.  So, stay tuned and THANK YOU!

Best Regards,

David Dansereau

Know-Stroke.org

Please help me cross the finish line in Boston 2010

That’s me crossing the finish line in Boston 2009

Why put my body through another marathon?  Trust me, I’ve already gone through my list of excuses again why NOT to run.  But, even though I crossed the finish line last year and completed every step of those famous, grueling 26.2 miles in Boston, I have not reached my goal of national stroke awareness for improved screening,detection and treatment plans for PFO/Stroke/ and uncovering the possible migraine connection.  In the next few posts I’ll be updating you on the progress made towards my national stroke awareness goals in case you are reading my blog for the first time or want to get caught up or get involved to help-so stay tuned (but don’t wait to donate).

Please help me reach my stroke awareness goals and cross the finish line in Boston 2010

PLEASE DONATE NOW!

Thank you!

Tedys Team 2009 Boston

Every person in this photo had a long list of valid excuses not to run…

Above is a photo of our 2009 Tedy’s Team just prior to going to the start line for the Boston Marathon.
Tedy Bruschi mentioned a statistic when he spoke to our team that stuck in my brain- it went something like this…

“Less than 1% of all people in this world can say they completed a marathon”.

Bottom Line:

Millions of ordinary people choose millions of reasons why they don’t reach their goals. Here’s just a few of the obstacles (or better yet excuses) that went through my head when I was deciding last Fall to begin training for the 2009 Boston Marathon.

My long list of excuses included:

“I’m too busy”

“I can’t commit to that-it is too long.”

“I used to be really sick / my heart can’t handle it.”

“I’ll do it next year.”

“What if I come in last?”

“I’m a hockey player-we can’t run well.”

“My morning routine is pretty set.”

“I’ll be in pain for months after the marathon.”

“It could rain.”

“One year I remember it was really hot…”

“BLISTERS”.

“I don’t like that goo stuff.”

“Docs can’t tell me if anyone has run a marathon with the device I have in my heart.”

“I have to work the next day.”

“What if I have to go to the bathroom?”

“Yikes-Heartbreak Hill!”

“Who wants to train that much anyway.”

“I’ll get too skinny.”

I’ll have to run for 3+ hours on my day off to get in a “long run.”

“What if my back goes out again?”

“Compression shorts, vaseline, body glide, under armour, what?”

“ I have kids now, those days of pushing myself are behind me.”

“My wife might think I’m nuts or am having another stroke.”

“(If I could get her to agree with my goal), my wife might not sleep for 6 months while I am in training.”

“It will take time away from my family.”

“I’d rather stay indoors, do my usual routine and exercise where it is warm.”

“I’ll have to raise funds for Tedy’s Team in a difficult economy.”

“What if I can’t finish?”

What if…..

You did it anyway.

My point is, no more excuses please…. instead

Choose not to be ordinary.

I Guess I liked those 1% odds.
Now on to my next goal.

No more excuses.
Here’s help for you to help set your own goals

Here’s a starting walk to run workout planner to help you get moving.

Need a success journal to track your progress?-get it here

Still have excuses. Need help? Leave your comments:

Don’t believe me? here’s the link to the previous NY Times article  blog post

Why I am grateful, it is not enough:

Barry Meier’s NY Times article focused on the business end of the PFO/Stroke/FDA debate, but he did not cover the other side, the human side.  Upon Mr. Meier’s request I had provided details of my own stroke journey which lead up to PFO closure, as well as other stroke survivors who gave me permission to share their contact info with Mr. Meier because they wanted to let others know about their experiences, again the human side.  If you are one of these survivors, or want to imagine having to consider making a decision to close a PFO-please take the poll at the bottom of this post.  I’d like to show more of the human side of perhaps why as Mr. Meier pointed out in his article “it has been difficult to find enough untreated patients to mount a study to prove their effectiveness and safety.”  After speaking with many, many stroke survivors that have a confirmed PFO it is my consensus that they don’t want to wait around for another stroke to see if they can “opt in” for PFO closure.  They want the hole fixed ASAP!

Here’s where you can help and where Mr. Meier’s article already may have provided a timely boost:

I continue to need your help to complete this journey. For example, I’ve sent articles to Dr. Oz (a cardiologist often seen on Oprah), contacted Oprah.com many,many times, and made my intentions known to Tedy’s Team, Tedy Bruschi and his wife, and the American Stroke Association (Boston and RI affiliates)- I still need your help. Sidebar:[ By the way, several good things followed from the NY Times Story:  Other writers contacted me (topic for future post)and are considering stories, as well as the countless health bloggers that picked up the story worldwide and posted it internationally.

Just one example....

Here's how one reader already helped without knowing it:

A reader from the "early days" of my blog who shared his story and frustrations with the medical delays and uncertainty he had experienced recently contacted me again. He originally read my story and my Oprah Challenge.  He shared his frustrations with knowing he had a PFO and having to elect for medical management of his PFO or perhaps enroll in a clinical trial  and either receive a septal occluder for PFO closure or receive a possible "sham" procedure as part of the study.  (By the way, If you would have interviewed him Mr. Meier you would have known why the enrollment numbers in clinical trials are low...)  Anyway, this reader recognized my name in the NY Times article, and instantly "morphed" me on to the Oprah show.

Please take a moment to post your own comments or ideas at this link.

While this page has a "fun" tone I hope you know I am serious with my stroke awareness plan and hope you can help me follow through with my plan.  After all, the Oprah log worked for Dave Letterman.

With enough brains and motivation I believe anything is possible... Thank You Barry for giving this story your attention.  By the way, do you know Oprah?

Summary of My Reaffirmed Goals:

My Goal: I have been working at trying to get through to Oprah and Dr. Oz to suggest a show about migraines,stroke and the heart connection and ideally developing a show for May 2008 or 2009 (May is Nat'l Stroke Awareness Month). Additionally, I have been working to try to get Tedy's Team, and Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots to speak nationally (to Oprah) about his stroke and his new book Never Give Up.

Click here for my Tedy's Team Donation Page to learn more
Read my Stroke Story

I appreciate any and all comments, leads, ideas you would be willing to provide here:

http://www.my-nutrition-coach.com/do-you-know-oprah.html

Take this PFO Closure Poll

When you are done with the poll, share your suggestions directly with Oprah.com and be sure to link back to this blog post to include all the details and my “WHY”

Could you take a moment to write in to Oprah.com for me? Here’s the link

Want more info?  Watch my video here:

Go to Tedy Bruschi/Tedy’s Team Marathon selection

• Thanks to Jamie’s coaches for inviting me to drop the first puck to open the tournament
• Thanks to the American Stroke Association in RI for donating the great gift baskets and educational items

Here’s the latest update on young stroke survivor Jamie Coyle. According to the latest website post, Jamie had a good weekend and has made some great progress already. She is scheduled to begin rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehab in Boston this week. Follow this new link http://www.fightfor7.com/ to read about Jamie and see how you can help “Fight for Seven”.

For additional updates regarding Jamie, and any upcoming events planned, please visit http://www.RIGirlsHockey.com. A message center has been established so Jamie can stay in touch with her friends and family as she recovers. Please contact the coaches through this website if you would like to assist in any way.

http://rigirlshockey.com/

Jaime’s story in the Valley Breeze can be viewed here:
http://www.valleybreeze.com/Free/MAIN-8-14-ALL-Jaime-Coyle-stroke-victim
The Valley Breeze article was written by Paul Dubois-Sports Editor

Frequently Asked Questions

(Source: American Stroke Association/a division of the American Heart Association)

Where does the money go?
Funds raised through Tedys-Team are used locally for research, advocacy, and education programs of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association. Through research we’re gaining new knowledge to better understand, treat, and prevent stroke. Through advocacy we’re supporting legislation that will improve emergency services for stroke victims. Through professional education programs such as the Acute Stroke Treatment Program, Operation Stroke, and Get With the Guidelines, the American Stroke Association is improving emergency services, treatment, and care for stroke victims. All of these efforts support the fight against stroke, our nation’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of disability.

What is the cost of fundraising?
Seventy-nine percent is used to fund stroke research, advocacy, and education programs. The remaining 21 percent covers expenses.

Is my donation tax deductible?
Funds donated to the American Stroke Association through the Train To End Stroke program are tax deductible in that no goods or services were received in exchange for the donation. Please consult with your tax advisor regarding your tax deductions. The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The federal tax ID is 13-5613797.

Will I get a receipt for my contribution?
The IRS recognizes a cancelled check or credit card statement as proof of any donation under $250. For any offline donation of $250 or more, the American Stroke Association will send you an official receipt.  If you give online, your confirmation page and e-mail confirmation serve as your tax receipt.

Will my employer match my contribution?
Many companies will match employees’ charitable contributions. Be sure to ask your company’s Human Resources department to find out if your company has such a policy. You can also click here to search online. Corporate Matching Gifts can dramatically increase the value of your donation.

How can I donate by mail?
To donate by mail, just send your donation to the friend/family member you’re supporting. You can provide your check or money order (made payable to American Stroke Association), or credit card number as payment Your friend/family member will make sure your donation is processed.

What happens to my donation if the person I’m sponsoring drops out of the training program?
Contributions are processed immediately upon receipt by the American Stroke Association. If injury or other unforeseen circumstances prevent the Train To End Stroke participant from completing the training program, your tedys-team-donation will still be used to support the fight against stroke. No refunds will be issued.

What is a Matching Gift?
Some corporations will match the charitable gifts of their employees.  To find out if your company matches charitable gifts,  click here to search.

For more information about the American Stroke Association, please visit http://www.strokeassociation.org.

Donate Online

http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/running/2008/07/stroke-survivor.html

Not Oprah yet, but perhaps this will help gain some more momentum:)