On wensday i had my second cyclecross race at the folsom rodeo. It was really fun and i had a great time. Im so excited for my next race on wensday. I hope to improve my time.
Another COOL day!
Wow, i know i have had so many cool things happen to me through all of this crazy liver stuff. Today i went back to Stanford for a press conference with the Governor. It was about some new bills passed that will help with organ donation. The really cool part besides that bill is that i met with Steve Jobs and he spoke to me and my parents for about 15 minutes. He was really nice and he even asked me to see my scar. I wonder how many kids have had Steve Jobs ask to see their scar?
I have had a really cool year. 1. Met Lance Armstrong, 2. Race my bike across America in 6 days, 3. Met Steve Jobs. Not really sure what is next.
In between all of this i do the regular boring stuff like go to school and lots of homework…ughh!
Soryy it has been so long since i have posted anything but i am going to get back into this blog a little more each week.
Me sitting with Steve Jobs
Come to the appreciation night and see the RAAM video!
Finaly home and finally catching my breath
Hi Guys! I’m so sorry I haven’t posted anything in FOREVER! When I got home I was just so tired, and worn out. I finally feel normal again, well except for the part about not training for RAAM right now. It feels so weird to not feel the pressure of preparing for the race. I’m actually kind of bored. I think I’m going to race in some kid races locally.
The race was so cool! I had a blast. It wasn’t easy at all and I did struggle some times but I got through it. It felt so good to be apart of a team. I really love all the racer’s and crew members. I know for sure I will totally be doing RAAM again in the future. So many of the other teams were nice too. I made new friends in Ohio (Hi Amy and Stacey) at time station 42. I learned I am not a morning person, also did you know Turtles are the number one road kill in Missouri?
Thank you all so much for your support. I may not write as much as I used to…It’s summer come on give me a break! But I will keep you updated on my life. So far, so good I’m feeling great!
if you wanna follow….
C/O all links below during this week of the race.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/teamdonatelife
Blog: teamdonatelife.wordpress.com
Website: www.teamdonatelife.com
LIVE…. GPS tracker http://www.untamedadventure.com/advzone/Adventure.aspx?a=68
Team "Connor's Hope"
Oh My Gosh!! It’s here.
Today was crazy. I can’t believe how wild it was. We had so much to do. It was fun this afternoon because we got all the vehicles ready, sponsor stickers, blinking signs, food, medicines, bike parts, and bikes. Then we took them all to the Police Department to be stored for the night. It was cool to see all the cars caravan down the street all done up. It was fun to have so much crew together too. I can hardly wait till tomorrow!
There is a boy named William that lives in my neighborhood and we go to church together. He is 9 years old and this week he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. My Mom and his Mom are friends and it has really been hard to know Will is going through surgeries and Chemo this week. Living in a hospital is my least favorite thing so I feel bad for him. Today we taped a picture of William on our bikes to think of his fight and remember that the one thing we all have no matter what is “HOPE”. Our team name this year is “Connor’s Hope” and Will will remind me of that every day.
I’ll keep you all posted on the crazy days ahead, I can tell you after today the people on my team are CRAZY so it should be fun.
It’s almost here
I am so excited because RAAM is almost here! I’m so nervous but everyone says to be excited its hard to be excited when people always say “it is so hard,” but overall I think it is going to be a great journey. I could not of done it without you guys and my team and crew. My Mom was saying the other day that back in December when I was in the hospital for surgery she was worried that there was no way I would be ready in time, and she worried that with all the time our family was spending wrapped up in my recovery that we wouldn’t reach our financial goal either. She said she prayed a lot about it and thought about calling the whole thing off but that she got a strong feeling to just keep pedaling and fundraising. My Mom never told me she had doubts and I’m really glad she didn’t because then I never questioned if we would be able to accomplish all that I wanted to. I can’t even believe that it’s finally here, and we are so close to raising the funds. RAAM came too fast, it was just yesterday that we were in Park City at our first training camp.
Our Team just had a meeting and it was really cool because we got bags and backpacks for the race, and on the race there will be a film crew that will do a documentary and so they came and filmed the meeting it was really cool. The energy surrounding the table at our meeting was super exciting. We went over race strategies and rules. The people who have done RAAM before kept saying to “be prepared for crazy.” I just keep trying to figure out who is gonna go crazy first? My Mom? My Dad? My Uncle? My Teacher? The Fire Chief? My Aunt? Who do you think?
The other day I came home and there was a package for me at the door. I was really excited because it said Radio Shack on it. When I opened it up I was soooooooo happy! It was a full Radio Shack kit! And a Radio Shack hat with Lance’s signature on it! I LOVE wearing it on rides I get so many comments from other riders. I wear it as much as it’s clean.
Today was my last long ride before RAAM. I’d like to say I’m sad but that would be a lie. I’m looking forward to sleeping in on Saturdays and hanging out with my friends again. It’s been a long, fun. journey and I wouldn’t change a thing but it will be pretty sweet to just chill for a while. See you soon.
I’m almost at my $100,000.00 goal!!!!!!
So like a year ago I set this ridicules goal of riding my bike across America and raising $100,000.00. I didn’t really realize how much a $100,000.00 was until I started helping my parents and team raise it. There have been times that I have thought “what was I thinking” both about the riding and the fundraising. Thankfully my Mom or Dad was always there to remind me that giving up is not an option. Today when I got home from school my parents sat me down and said that all the fundraising our team has done so far has been added up. When they told me we were in the $80,000.00 range I was shocked. Then I thought about all the hard work our whole team has been doing to help me. There is NO WAY I could have done it without their help. I just want to thank them today and let them know I really appreciate them. Thanks guys! We are almost there.
channel 13 tonight at 10
I was just about to head out on one of my training rides when my Dad asked if I would mind doing another interview with Channel 13. They wanted to know how I felt after Floyd made some pretty big claims about Lance doping today. I have to be honest I just wanted to hurry and get my training ride in because I wanted to go to the jumps with my friends before dark, but then I figured it’s probably the right thing to do…answer questions, even though sometimes I’d rather be playing. I have read Lances books and I follow him on twitter so I kind of already have an opinion of the situation but my Mom and Dad said I needed to do my research and form a strong opinion of my own and not one that came from them. I went in the office and started looking up interviews on the topic and I watched and read several. Then I just sat on the bed and really thought about it. If you want to know what I said tune in tonight. I have no idea what the story will end up sharing but I promise to give you the rest of the story in the morning.
P.S. If you go to the News section on this blog all the other news clips from this past week are up.
Ryan’s gift
Today a nice lady named Becky, that I have never met wrote my a note on my blog. She was telling me about her son Ryan. He had a web site so I checked it out and I wanted to share his story with all of the loyal followers who check out my blog daily. Tomorrow when I ride my bike me, my Mom and Dad will be riding for Ryan. So below is part of his story that I copied and pasted. Thank you Becky.
Our Ryan graciously concluded his final set on June 4, 2009. He was our youngest child and only son. He thoroughly loved life, especially TamaleThursdays, but mostly he loved his beautiful Sara.
Ryan received a life-saving transplant when a sudden illness assaulted his heart at age 5, followed by a second transplant at age 14. In light of those two immense gifts, and because of the scarcity of organs, he declined a place on the transplant list when his heart began to fail once more. He believed “it was someone else’s turn.”
So instead of receiving, in death he gave. As an organ and tissue donor, he fulfilled his desire to pay forward the Great Gift of Life. He was 23 years old.
Ryan grew up in California and after graduating from high school in 2004, he attended college in Utah. He married his best friend, Sara, in December 2006. She was the light of his life. After a sudden heart attack in March of 2009, he fought courageously, hoping to return to their life together. The two shared an unselfish love that was an inspiration to us all as we watched them devote their whole heart and energy to the other’s comfort during the heartache of loss and impending parting.
Ryan’s clever wit and off-beat sense of humor brought laughter and eased tension at unexpected moments, even during his suffering. He won the hearts of his caretakers and impressed us all with his incredible graciousness. His music touched our emotions. He was a great friend, a kind brother, a beloved uncle, a devoted husband, and always a son to be proud of.
Our Good-Bye might not have come so soon were it not for the shortage of donor organs. Every year, hundreds of life-saving organs are buried and wasted. If you are so inclined, please go to OrganDonor.GOV and sign up to be a donor, and discuss your desires with your family. We wish you and your loved ones a long and healthy life, but when you are called Home, why not be somebody’s hero?
Connor's Journey 