Marathon for the Cure

Big news: I'm registered to run the Chicago Marathon on 10/11/09, and I'm running it in memory of Uncle Harold. If you're interested in following my progress as I train for the big day (or if you'd like to make a donation towards my fundraising goal), check out the blog at runmikeyrun.blogspot.com.

Sad News

Harold Kenneth Davis Mr. Davis, 65, of Charlotte, NC, former teacher with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, died Thursday, February 19, 2009 at his residence with his wife, Ann, by his side. He was born January 19, 1944 in Wilmington, NC, a son of Helen Faye Cash Davis and the late James Kenneth Davis. Mr. Davis was a graduate of North Carolina State University. He served many capacities with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for over 30 years including teaching, coaching and was athletic director working at Harding and Providence High Schools. Mr. Davis was a two time recipient of the Athletic Director of the year. He was actively involved with Grace United Methodist Church, Charlotte District and Western North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was involved with the Mecklenburg Emergency Winter Shelter, Building Teams and Habitat for Humanity. He loved his Lord, his family and friends, his sports, and the classroom involvement. And then as a second career began in construction he focused on this endeavor with great enthusiasm and found more time for fishing on the North Carolina coast which was his great joy. A service to celebrate Harold's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2009 at Grace United Methodist Church, 737 E. Woodlawn Road, Charlotte, NC 28209. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 737 E. Woodlawn Road, Charlotte, NC 28209;
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 505 East Boulevard, Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28203 or Hospice and Palliative Care, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204. Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. Online at www.hankinsandwhittington.com.

We're 32% of the way there!!!

Our new team member Nikki K. is kicking butt! She's raised $445 since joining last week! Also welcome to Christy T. We're up to 5 team members.

The team deadline is September 5th. Sign up today! Don't make us have to start calling you out....you know who you are.

Our newest team donors are:
Libby P.
Murrell S.
(the grocery business is very good to us).

Thank you to my "Uncles" Ricky and Steve for helping with fruit on race day again. Your generosity never ceases to amaze me. So those of you in Hickory and Maiden, make sure you're shopping at a Galaxy grocery store near you!

I might have a surprise up my sleeve this year, but I haven't received the official news, so mum's the word. Keep your fingers crossed.

Hope to see you all on race day!

The team deadline is.....

September 5th, 2008. Please register or donate today!

Right now there are 3 members on the race team-we'd really like some company on race day:

Me
Mike
Flip

Thank you also to our newest generous donors:

Tara J.
D. Andrew R.
Kurt S.
Donna K.
Joey A.

Week 1 Update

Our 2008 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure campaign has officially begun.

Thanks to our first donors:

Jackson B. (first as always)
Vivian L.

I'm still the lone member of the team.....it's never too early to register!

We'll also need help again this year with t-shirt sponsors. So if you know anyone that might be interested, please let Mike or me know.

3rd Year and Counting....Registration is open

Registration is officially open for the 2008 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on October 4, 2008 in Charlotte, NC. Register for our team today at http://www.komencharlotte.org/goto/harolds-angels.com.

We hope to see all of you on race day!!

2007 RFTC Pictures

Mike and Harold.....post running for Mike, pre 2nd time around the course.











Inez, JB, and Harold. Thank you again JB for all of your help!!












Most of the team on race day.








Phil and my boss Tim waiting for the walk to start.

Thank you, thank you!!

Race Day 2007 was a huge success!! Thank you to everyone who joined us downtown on October 6th for Harold's Angels 2nd year!!

Our grand fundraising total was $3403!!! We blew our goal of $2500 out of the water.

Thank you to our two latest donors:
Sandy Brenner
Richard Henderson

We cannot thank everyone enough for all of your support! The response we received this year was truly amazing. It is a true testament to how wonderful Harold really is!!!

Thank you to JB Spurrier and Ron Cobb for all of your help with the Harding alumni. Harold and Phil, you were true life savers on Friday. Thank you so much for helping me get the fruit from Maiden to Charlotte. And on a personal note, thank you to Mike for putting up with me in that last week. Volunteering with Komen was a lot of hard work, but it was a true blessing.

For anyone who has not attended a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, I highly recommend it. I was pretty busy on race morning, but was able to make it to the balloon ceremony. Seeing all of those balloons released and hearing Harold's name called made every minute of work worth it (even that part about getting up at 3:15). I heard a rumor that Harold got to speak on stage too!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you to everyone for helping us show that this disease truly knows no boundaries and that we can all help get one step closer to a cure.

We'll have pictures soon....I need to get them from Phil!

And most importantly.... save the date. October 4, 2009. See you on race day!

T-Shirt and Race Day Details

Hello team!

I've got a lot of information to share with you, so please read all the way through to the end.

First, the t-shirts are in!!! You can get your t-shirt one of two ways.

1. Pick up on race day (see below for where).

2. Email me and I'll arrange to meet you/bring you your shirt. We live in Huntersville and my office is near the old Coliseum (off of Tyvola). If you'd like to stop by the office and pick up your shirt just give me a call at 704-954-1684 on Wed or Thurs. I will be out of the office on Friday.
Race Day Details

We will meet at 7:00 on the corner of Irwin and 5th Street. This is the far corner of the expo area. The survivor photo is at 7:20 (at the stage) and the competitive race starts at 7:30.
For all general race details please visit the Komen website at http://www.komencharlotte.org/raceforthecure.

A few things to remember on race day:
1. Carpool if at all possible.
2. Avoid coming into town on Trade, the street will be closed. Coming into town off of 277 is your best bet since 77 is currently being paved in the middle of town.
3. Bring cash for parking. Not all lots are free on the weekend.
4. Please do not wear pink hats or shirts unless you are a survivor.
5. If you are a competitive runner you can pick up your chip in the registration area (in front of the Doubletree). Remember to TURN IT IN, or you will be charged.

And most importantly....have fun!

I hope to get to see you all at 7. I've got race committee duties that day too, but I hope to be able to stop by. If anyone has any questions, please let me know.

Sincerely,
Jessica Messer

In the homestretch

"I do not want to talk about what you understand about this world. I want to know what you will do about it. I do not want to know what you hope. I want to know what you will work for. I do not want your sympathy for the needs of humanity. I want your muscle. As the wagon driver said when they came to a long, hard hill, “Them that’s going on with us, get out and push. Them that ain’t, get out of the way.”
Robert Fulgum

That was a quote our Komen director shared with us recently. Thank you to all of you for getting out and pushing. We could not have done this without all of you. We have met our team fundraising goal and as of today Komen has met their goal also. There has been a little over $415,000 raised for the Charlotte race. Great job!

Thank you to our most recent donor, Lanier and Scott. Also welcome to another team member, Kim B.

If you signed up for the race (or know anyone that did) after the September 14th team deadline, please let me know if they want to be part of the team. We have a few extra t-shirts ordered and I'd like to get them one. I hope (keep your fingers crossed) to have the shirts no later than tomorrow.

I'll have race day details posted on the site later this week. We can't wait to see all of you on race day.

P.S. Anyone that has a few extra hours on Friday night, please let me know. The race committee could really use your help setting up on Friday night (mainly tables/chairs).

Last, but definitely not least.....Thanks to Phil and Harold for volunteering to help me go get fruit this Friday for race day!!!!!

12 days until Race Day

It's hard to believe we are less than two weeks from race day.

Our newest donors are:

Mattie G.
Robert B.

We'll have more details regarding shirts and race day plans within the next week. The shirts are being printed as we speak so we hope to have them to the team as soon as possible.

If anyone has any questions, please let one of us know. If we don't know the answer, I can find out from someone on the race committee.

It's not too late....

...TO SUPPORT "HAROLD'S ANGELS".

The official team deadline has passed, but it is not too late to join us on race day or donate to a great cause!! If you join in the next few days, I should be able to get you a team t-shirt also.

As of Sunday morning, September 16th we officially have 32 team members and have raised $2,713.00! We've exceeded our team fundraising goal and the race is still 20 days away, so keep up the good work!!

Our newest team members are...
Joyce G.
Tim G.
Jean C.
Fred C.
Jennifer M.
AJ J.
Debbie C.
Ann H.
Dan H.
Kathryn C.
Andrew C.

and our newest donors are....
Nikki K.
Susan B.
Alan K.
Kathryn C.
Marion B.
Debbie C.
John S.
Sherrie M.

Thank you again to everyone for all of your support!!

1 Day Left!!!

The team deadline is tomorrow, September 14th, so sign up or donate today!!!

You will be able to register after tomorrow, but it will not count towards team awards and I will not be able to guarantee you a team t-shirt.

We hope to see you all on race day!!!

The big announcement........

And our main t-shirt sponsor is........

So for all of you local Charlotteans, be sure to use Giant Genie Pharmacy on South Blvd.!!!!!

Thank you to Leslie Jones for taking time to meet with me today.

The race is less than a month away......

CONGRATULATIONS TEAM!!!!

We have reached 102% of our fundraising goal and are currently at $2548.00. Let's not stop there, keep up the good work.

Our new team members are....

Maria H.
Richard H.
Kristen P.
Inez S.
JB S.
Julie W.
Ed C.
Maria C.

Donations made by:

Randy S.
Dave and April S.

Thank you to The Harding High Class of 1976 Calculus Class for being a t-shirt sponsor! I'm also meeting with another sponsor tomorrow and will have new details soon.

There are 5 days until the team deadline! Register today!!!

An email I sent to friends and family today....

Dear Friends and Family,

"I can call hope my "pilot light" because I now know that, without it, we truly cease to exist."

Vicki Girard, Breast Cancer Survivor and Writer

Hope is just a four letter word, but it holds so much meaning to me. Six years ago I became involved with Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure through Ford's national sponsorship. As the years went by it was easy to get lost in the details, but I would always be amazed on race day by the support this race received. When I took a minute to stop and look around, it was apparent that hope was on everyone's face.

Like almost all of us, this disease has affected my family and friends. I watched my Great Aunt Betty Lou lose her battle with breast cancer a couple of years ago and have had several friends and co-workers have their own battles or scares also. Through these people, I have come to realize that this disease knows no boundaries....age, color, gender, or station in life.

As many of you already know I am a member of Charlotte's race committee and co-team captain of Harold's Angels. I was inspired to do this by a very special man. In May 2006, Mike's Uncle Harold was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yes...you read that right, Mike's uncle. I have watched him fight this disease with more determination and courage than I could ever hope to have. He has taught me that a good attitude is half the battle, and to face adversity with a sense of humor and a smile on your face. I don't think he can ever really know how much I and others look up to him. He was a teacher and coach for 30+ years and has inspired many throughout the years. I'm just glad I can say I'm one of them.

My hope this year is to have as many participants and/or donors for this year's race as possible. That is where all of you come in. Whether you can race, walk, or sleep for the cure....or can make a donation, please take a moment to consider supporting a great cause and a wonderful person.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. One in ever 1000 breast cancer cases will be a male. Your support can help fund research and education programs that will greatly reduce these numbers and hopefully one day, eradicate this disease.

As always, thank you in advance for your support.

Always hoping,
Jessica Messer

12 Days and Counting!!!

We have 12 days until the team deadline for this year's Race for the Cure!!! So whether you're going to run, walk, or sleep for the cure....sign up today!!!

The response we have received this year has been overwhelming. We would like to give a big thank-you to the Harding High School alumni and administration. Your support has been phenomenal. I even had a co-worker with a student there tell me they announced our team at the boosters meeting last week. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

The t-shirts are being designed as we speak. We will share more details about them and our sponsors as soon as possible. I hope to have something nailed down by this Friday. Thank you to Carolina Made and Freeman Screen Printing for making this process as easy as possible.

The big news today is.........the team has reached 99% of our fundraising goal. We still have over a month until race day. Keep up the good work!!!!

Our newest team member is:

Rebecca P.

Our new donors are:

James and Esther E.
Barry and Diane S.
Jennifer F.
Carolyn S.
Tim P.
Malcolm G.

Team Members: If you know of anyone that has signed up for the team by paper application, please let me know. Due to the number of applications the Komen office receives, it is impossible for them to enter all of these team members online.

It's T-Shirt Time!!!

We need your help!!

We are trying our best to provide team shirts again this year. This is where all of you come in.

Get your creative juices flowing. The front of the t-shirt is pretty much nailed down, but we're looking for a funny slogan and/or artwork for the back of the shirt.

Keep in mind that we plan for the shirts to be either Royal blue or navy and that the more colors we have....the more expensive the shirts will be.

And remember, this is an event for all ages......so keep it clean.

For those of you that might not know Harold (HK) well, he was a math teacher, tennis coach, wrestling coach, and is very involved in his church and with his family. I thought these may be some idea starters.

DRUMROLL PLEASE........
As of today we have reached 76% of our fundraising goal thanks to a very generous donation we received today.

Our newest team members are:
Dianne F
Mary H

And our very supportive donors are:
Vicki H
Randy H
Barrie W
And another $100 raised by the team!!!

Thanks again to everyone for your help. We can't wait to read your shirt suggestions in the comments section!!!

Team Update

Hello everyone!

Here is the first official team update for the 2007 Harold's Angel team!!

So far we have 10 members for race day......

Jessica M
Camille C
Ron C
Ann D
Harold D
Mike D
Nancy D
Phil D
Jennifer F
Tim P

We have also reached 26% of our fundraising goal. Thank you to the following for your support!!

Jackson B
Robert L
Heath L
Wayne M
And $298 raised through our team member's personal campaigns that go towards our total!!!

We have also had a little progress on the sponsorship front, but still need your help. If you know of an individual or company that is interested in sponsoring, let Mike or I know and we'll get in contact with them.

Remember....the team deadline is on September 14th!! You have 19 days left to register and be an official member of Harold's Angels.

Hope to see you all on October 6th!!!

Team Deadline is in 1 month

The Komen Charlotte team deadline has been set for September 14, 2007!

In order for us to get credit for participants/donations, you must be registered no later than this date. This date will also be our cut off for team shirts. You have several options.....

1. Join the team.

2. Sleep in for the cure if you can't attend.

3. Make a donation.

4. Encourage others to participate.

5. Leave well wishes in the comments section for us to pass onto Harold.

Please use the links to the right to access our team page.

As always, thank you to everyone for your continued support. We couldn't do it without you!