Hi everyone!
As some of you may know, I recently joined TeamCindy to help raise money for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF). Our team of eight will be participating in The Escape from Alcatraz triathlon on June 12, 2016. Our fundraising goal this year is $20,000, and I need your support to help us reach this target!
What is TeamCindy and the Brain Aneurysm Foundation?
TeamCindy honors the life of Cynthia ("Cindy") Sherwin and was founded by her parents to promote brain aneurysm awareness (check out www.teamcindy.org). In 2007, at only 33 years of age, Cindy died of a ruptured aneurysm while training for the Lake Placid Ironman race. She was a gifted athlete, as well as a professional trainer and nutritionist.
A few days before Cindy died, she told her family she had severe headache and that she did not feel well. But, her brother was getting married in a few days, plus she was training for a big race, so she decided to tough it out.
In retrospect, Cindy probably had a "sentinel bleed," an early warning signal of aneurysm rupture. Had she known this and sought medical attention right away, she may still be alive today.
Brain aneurysms are ticking time bombs that kill tens of thousands people each year, often without warning. Of those who survive, many are permanently disabled. About one in fifty people will develop a brain aneurysm in his or her lifetime. Most who do will not know they have an aneurysm until it is too late. In my neurosurgery practice, I have seen the terrible devastation ruptured aneurysms reak not just on my patients, but their entire families.
TeamCindy is a fundraising arm for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF). Its goal is to raise public awareness about aneurysms and funding for research to save people from this silent killer. TeamCindy enables everyday people, like myself, to participate in endurance sporting events to commemorate Cindy's strong athletic spirit and support TeamCindy's cause.
BAF has raised $1.3 million for aneurysm research since its inception nine years ago. It is the world's only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to providing critical awareness, education, support and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain aneurysm ruptures. You can find out more at www.bafound.org. Check out their awesome public primer on aneurysms at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Gyhx7K178 (2min41s).
What is The Escape from Alcatraz?
The Escape from Alcatraz is an annual triathlon race held in San Francisco. The race starts with a cold, open water swim starting from Alcatraz Island and finishing near Crissy Field, about 2 miles away. The swim is followed by an 18-mile bike ride through rolling hills near Golden Gate Bridge, and ends with an 8-mile run through trails and sand, finishing at back at Crissy Field.
Over two thousand people participate in The Escape each year. Some are elite athletes, others are weekend warriors, or simply recreational folks looking for a challenge. All are just a little bit insane. The event attracts a lot of media attention as a marquee triathlon, which is great for broadcasting TeamCindy's message.
Having done a guided "test swim" recently, my anxiety about the swim has abated a little. It was comical that during my test swim, two curious sea lions poked their heads up right next me, as if to remind me how out of place I was! You may be thinking, what about sharks? Well, I have certainly wondered about that as well! In my research, I found that larger sharks avoid the bay because they can't get enough oxygen in the brackish water. I was also comforted to learn that no swimmer has ever been attacked by a shark in the Bay. Still, my race day strategy will be to swim in the middle of a group and avoid being singled out. Your donation, by the way, is good whether or not I make it!
Why am I doing this?
Years ago, when I was younger and in better shape, I dreamed of doing this race, but it was nearly impossible to gain entry because of the race's immense popularity. Then, my residency training, becoming a husband and father, and life in general happened, and this dream slowly receded, along with my hairline.
Over a year ago now, a good friend of mine from residency, Paul, passed away from lung cancer. He was about my age and at a similar station in life - We had both recently finished our neurosurgical training and welcomed a new baby girl to our families. His struggle with his terminal illness and ultimate death made me acutely aware that life is not to be taken for granted. His insightful reflections on his own mortality, which he shares in his beautifully written memoir, When Breath Becomes Air, affected me deeply. In one of many memorable quotes, he writes, “Severe illness wasn’t life-altering, it was life-shattering. It felt less like an epiphany—a piercing burst of light, illuminating What Really Matters—and more like someone had just firebombed the path forward."
Oh, if only we would all live with the full gusto of this enlightened man! Paul's words helped transform my mindset in more ways than I can count. I have a better focus on the present. I have become more grateful for what I have, less afraid to take on risks, and more inspired to live without regret.
Joining TeamCindy was a unique opportunity for me to tackle a difficult challenge, to shake up my life routine, and be part of a cause that is an intimate part of my practice. Thank you, Paul, for giving me the courage and motivation to do all this.
How can you support TeamCindy and The Brain Aneurysm Foundation?
Compared to the perils and challenges of actually doing the race, donating towards this cause is a piece of cake!
Simply click on the big "Donate Now" button at the upper right of this page to make a donation with your credit or debit card.
For those of you who prefer to mail in a donation, please download and fill out this form.
Make checks payable to:
The Brain Aneurysm Foundation - please put my name (Kevin Chao) in the Memo field.
Then mail your contribution to:
269 Hanover Street, Building #3, Hanover, MA, 02339
I will be donating $200 to TeamCindy to kickstart our fundraising, $25 for each participant. There is no minimum contribution. Whatever you can give will help!
For those of you who are not in a position to contribute at this time, I totally understand. I would still love to hear from you and invite any words of encouragement!
Either way, I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on our progress!
With much gratitude,
Kevin
“...I would have to learn to live in a different way, seeing death as an imposing itinerant visitor but knowing that even if I'm dying, until I actually die, I am still living.”
- Paul Kalanithi in When Breath Becomes Air