*** 4/26/2018 UPDATE ***
With a little over a week to go, I'm just $230 shy of my increased fundraising goal of $2,000! I've raised funds before for other worthy causes, but none have maintained this much momentum throughout the entire fundraising phase. I guess it goes to show that Grady really does mean a lot to the people of Atlanta. I'm both humbled for your support and extra motivated to crush this last gap and close in on my goal! Now, I know I've said it before, that the fundraising isn't a competition, it's all for a worthy cause...but let's be honest...I'm a competitive person! With your support, I'm now in 4th place overall out of 688 registered riders. IF WE HIT MY 2K GOAL I'LL BE IN 3RD PLACE OVERALL!!! Can you tell I'm excited?!?!?! LET'S DO THIS!
Next week on Friday we have the kick-off celebration for VeloCity which promises to be a great time with food and entertainment. THEN THE MORNING AFTER...THE BIG DAY WILL HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED! Myself and all the other riders will line up ON MERCEDES BENZ FIELD (how cool is that?) and begin our trek around Atlanta. I'll be riding the 50 mile loop with my Team Joyce compatriots. You're welcome to come on out and cheer all of us on, it's going to be a fun day in the saddle! Counting down the days...
*** 4/10/2018 UPDATE ***
With your help, I've smashed through my original fundraising goal of $1,000! I've thought about it, and believe raising the bar to $2,000 is realistic and attainable by May 5th.
On the training front, I rode the 48 mile Budweiser plant loop this past Sunday up in Cartersville, GA. Took me longer than I had hoped due to some unexpected cramping around mile 33, guess I should have hydrated better! Other than that and the chilly temperatures, it was an enjoyable ride. You can follow my rides on Strava here: Steve's Strava Profile
*** 4/5/2018 UPDATE ***
It's only been two days since registering and I'm already $50 away from hitting my initial $1,000 goal! WOW! I can't thank my donors enough, the folks at Grady and I truly do appreciate your generosity! Also, not that this is a competition, but...with your help I'm now in the top 10 for all registrants! Not too shabby folks! Let's keep up the momentum!
*** Original Post ***
For over 125 years, Grady Hospital has been there when Atlanta needed it the most - saving and changing lives, training the next generation of doctors, and conducting cutting edge research that impacts patient care throughout the world.
I am riding in VeloCity for a variety of reasons, most notably (and selfishly) because I want to use the ride as a barometer to see how well I'm progressing in (finally) getting back into shape, and for the larger cause at hand - because I want to make sure that Grady will continue to be there for me, my family, friends, co-workers, and anyone who finds themself in need of lifesaving services such as:
- The metro Atlanta region’s premier level 1 trauma center
- Georgia’s first Cancer Center of Excellence
- Nationally recognized stroke and cardiac centers
- A neonatal intensive care relied upon by more than 40 counties
- One of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive treatment centers for advanced HIV/AIDS
- The word’s first 24/7 sickle cell center
Grady will be there for you when you need it. I hope you will join me and be there for Grady by contributing to my ride on May 5, 2018!