Check out C3 For Change Ambassador Doug Dunbar’s reflection on the 2016 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
On October 8th 2016, we completed the hardest one day race on this planet. The Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Weather was hot, humid, and windy, just like Kona always is. It was hard. I say WE, because even though I was out on this infamous course relying solely on my physical and mental ability to keep going, I was only able to do it, with the incredible support of every one of you who took the time to think of me, send positive vibes, and even donate to the entire reason I was here in the first place.
The Ironman in Kona is a life event. But fighting for the lives of those battling blood cancers, is something that moves Kona itself, into second place. What I’ve learned about leukemia and lymphoma in the last six months of the challenge bestowed upon me by LLS has been a life changing education. Blood cancer has been so close to me, for a long long time, and in many cases, I never saw it. But I do now, and will forever go out of my way to seek out to support those in the fight. Kona was the hardest physical and mental challenge I have ever faced in my life, bar none. But it still does not compare in any way, to what it must be like for someone in the blood cancer fight, to have to face that chemo dragon, stem cell or bone marrow transplant, just for the hope, and chance at sustaining life. That’s a real fight. Mine, was just a challenge, for one day. Hard as it was, it’s still taken with great perspective when placed against the backdrop of the bigger picture. Thank you one, thank you all, for your unending support.
For the giving to LLS and the belief not only in their mission of finding better therapies and even cures. But the belief you put in me, to get this done. That was my one promise to each of you, and I did it, only with your love, support, and positive vibes through a six month journey, and endless long days of workouts. Very few ever get to say they tackled the beast and finished in Kona. You all have given me that honor, and you have my deepest thanks. But I will ask just one more thing of you. Don’t let this be the last time you support LLS. Don’t let this be the last time you think about blood cancers. It’s everywhere. If not directly in your life, it’s very close. I promise you that. Just ask, and you’ll find out. Pray for those in the fight, for those who will be, and for the doctors and researchers working so hard to make terminal blood cancers a thing of the past. With your continued support, I truly believe we can get there. Mahalo my friends. It has been nothing short, of one of the greatest honors of my life.
