I’m overdue with this.

Last October I took a trip to Walt Disney World with the intention of just running in the Race for the Taste 10K.

When I went to the World of Sports on Friday to pick up my race packet I found out there was another race being held on Saturday.

This race was called Race for the Cure and it was sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

It was a 5K race and I thought it would be a good warm-up for the Race for the Taste so I signed up for it.

I was moved by all the participants and the survivors who showed up. It was truly an overwhelming experience for me.

I found out at that race that breast cancer targets both men and women.

The sight I will never forget that day will be the sea of pink shirts on the bleachers, all breast cancer survivors. Also, during the race I noticed many participants running in shirts that said, “In memory of…” with names of friends and relatives who had been victims of this demon.

After the race I went back to my room, showered, got dressed and met up with my wife Carol and my cousin Patty in EPCOT.

While waiting for them outside the American Adventure pavilion I was approached by a man who held out his hand and said, “I just want to thank you!”

I had no clue as to what he meant. I said, “Excuse me?” He said, “Your support! For breast cancer.”

I had forgotten I had worn the t-shirt and had the medal on from the race.

This gentleman went on to tell me about his wife’s battle with breast cancer and what they are presently going through for treatment. I was very uneasy.

Soon his wife came by and she too started thanking me and hugging me.

I felt awful.

All I did was run in a race for my own selfish reason as a warm-up. It just so happened that the race was sponsored by an organization focused on the fight against breast cancer.

It didn’t stop there. As Carol, Patty, and I continued walking clockwise around World Showcase more people came up to me and thanked me. The guilt piled up.

Then what put it over the top was a little visit to France. I was looking for Belle.

The cast member who was portraying Belle that day was one of my favorites.

She has seen me many times and recognized me.

Before the picture was taken she looked at my shirt and the medal and was telling me how she appreciated what I had done and was admiring the medal and I’m just not doing well.

This CM, portraying my favorite character, a character that stands for everything positive in the world, had gone out of her way and out of character to thank me for participating in the race.

Quite honestly, I did not think about the cause as much as I did about the race itself.

It’s easy to ask, “Okay Mike then why did you wear the shirt that day and the medal?”

It was my very first race in WDW and I was pretty excited about it so I wanted to wear the shirt and the medal…not to advertise that I had participated in a race to fight against breast cancer…that would be an out and out lie.

All that day however I became more and more uncomfortable with wearing the shirt and medal.

That night while visiting the Generation Gap Bridge at Pop Century I decided that this year would be different.

So I decided to do something that I had never done before; something that I had never had a comfort level doing.

However the events of that day almost a year ago have motivated me to go forward with this…and I need your help.

For the first time in my life I am actively participating in trying to raise funds to support the fight against breast cancer.

For those of you who listen to the WDWTODAY podcast you may already know of this effort.

On Friday my Mouseplanet article will mention this effort and there are other channels, like this community, in which I will be asking for help.

I know there are many times during the year when we are all asked to help out in the fight against so many worthwhile causes. That’s what makes this so difficult for me to do this…but I need to do this because my experience last year was just so emotional that I could not even think about entering this race again unless I do this.

So this very long post is to let you all know that I am doing this and of course very humbly asking for your help.

If you would like to help you can visit http://race.komencentralflorida.com/site/TR?px=1006358&pg=personal&fr_id=1000 which explains how you can help.

I would also ask that you forward my donation page URL to anyone who you feel would be willing to help in this effort, especially WDW fans.

I also want to take this time to also thank those of you who have already donated to this cause and let you know I will always be grateful for your gesture.

Thanks everyone.


Mike

Kudos Mike....sometimes Miracles Hide and maybe it'll be the support you receive that makes that little bit of difference...you just never know...but you have MY thanks as well...even if it does make you a wee bit uncomfortable. Sometimes being pushed out of our comfort zone results in amazing things.

Mike, thanks for sharing your story! I have some very close friends who are survivors of breast cancer, so your efforts are much appreciated.

I'm currently working with Team in Training to raise money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, so I'm familiar with participating in a cause that's close to your heart. :)

Keep up the good work!

That is a nice story, I'll spread your link!

ETA:Link spread:)

That's a great story Mike. We participate in the Race for the Cure here in Hartford and you're right- it is an incredibly inspiring day....the sea of pink survivor hats is quite a sight!

Good Luck with your efforts - and thank you!

Mara:)

Your post really hit home. I'm running a 5K for breast cancer research in a couple of weeks, mostly because a friend wanted to run a 5K, and the flyer arrived in my mailbox the week she mentioned it. To make matters worse, I lost a sister to breast cancer in 2001. The race asks that each runner raise $150 in donations. Now that I feel sufficiently guilty, I'll write them a check.

Don't be too hard on yourself. In addition to raising funds, the races also raise awareness of the benefitting charity.

I don't do a lot of cause-related rides, but I'll be on one tomorrow--Modesto Memorial Medical Center Cancer Awareness run and ride. The ride is 63 miles. What's cool is that our bike club is donating an extra $25 per club member who participates in the ride.

The'll be doing the same for the Surf City Century on Oct 1, which benefits the Santa Cruz AIDS Project. I plan to sign up for that one as well.

You shouldn't feel guilty. Any participation, however small, is always appreciated.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the support.

It's exciting to hear how Steph and others are also doing their part.

With about one week to go I'm getting pretty pumped about the race.

I also find myself getting somewhat emotionally involved.

i'm beginning to recall how the atmosphere was last year.

The discomfort regarding asking for funds is still there...not as intense as it was when I started but still there.

As more and more donations poured in I felt better about it and proud of everyone...it really is a team effort.

As I come down the home stretch I'm asking everyone to think about anyone else who may have been touched by breast cancer in their family and would like to help out. Feel free to send them my link.

I have found that those who have had to deal with this demon are the most passionate about helping the cause.

To those of you who have contributed...thank you....special thanks to Steph, Alex, and Lani.

Mike

Thank you for doing this race for breast cancer. My mom lost her life to it and I hate to see that happening to other women.

Just a quick note...I've received a few emails from some people who have donated to this cause and noticed that their names have note shown up on the honor roll scroll.

If you have donated and have neither seen your name on the honor roll scroll or received a thank you email from me please let me know by sending me a note at mike@mouseplanet.com.

Again, I appreciate all your help.

Mike

Thanks everyone for all your support.

Our fundrsaising effort surpassed my wildest dream.

For being one of the top fundraisers I was presented with an airlines ticket.

They told me it's not-transferable but I'm hoping to possibly turn it over to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Thanks again.