Welcome to My Personal Page!
Welcome to my "Ride for Roswell" page! It means a lot to me that you would take the time to visit my fundraising page, and I hope that you can support me in my ride for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute!
As some of you may know I shattered my left heel in December and spent the winter on crutches and in a support boot. Since walking normally again was still questionable – doing the Ride for Roswell was on the back burner. I have been back into my shoes for a few weeks although my ankle still swells. Saturday, May 2nd was the first day I was able to get into my biking shoes. It was also the day that Jack Kemp succumbed to a very aggressive form of cancer. Not one to write things off to coincidence I thought it a sign. It is in his honor that I am riding in the Peleton this year.
I had the good fortune and privilege of being Jack’s photographer for many years while he was in Congress. It was more than a chance of a lifetime to travel with him during his 1988 presidential campaign and also to cover him in San Diego when he was named Bob Dole’s Vice-Presidential running mate. I am writing this posting as I return from his memorial service in Washington where his family and hundreds of friends, relatives, team-mates and dignitaries paid tribute to a gracious competitor and passionate politician.
In listening to his children and having watched him close-hand it was evident how much he cared about the things he believed in – family, community, faith, equality – just to name a few. As Jack's eldest son spoke of his love for his dad, it was both comforting and haunting to hear Jack's same gravelly voice as Jeff quoted some of his dad' favorite phrases - “A rising tide lifts all boats.” “No door closes that another doesn’t open.” “Never, never, never give up” (quoting Churchill).
This year’s donation request is not so much about what a cancer research hospital does or how terrible a disease cancer is because everyone knows that both Jack and Roswell are truly Buffalo treasures. It is about how cancer touches all of us and how important it is to never, never, never give up searching for a cure while treating patients with dignity.
No matter what your political persuasion I trust that you recognize he was one of the rare politicians who could advocate his position without denigrating his opponents. Something I am sure he learned from his days as a quarterback. Today after having lost one of Buffalo’s great natural resources I ask that you honor him while supporting another of Buffalo’s gifts to the world – Roswell Park.
Jack always said to me when I was taking his picture shaking hands with supporters – “Mickey, hurry up! I can’t hold this intelligent pose much longer!” That handsome, wholesome look is forever etched in my memory and I shall treasure it forever.
Please support me as generously as possible, as I ride on behalf of cancer patients and in honor of Jack Kemp. Just click on the "Donate to My Ride" button on the upper right side of my web page to make a donation.
(If you'd rather donate by check, please include my name in the memo area and send to: The Ride For Roswell, PO Box 644, Buffalo, NY 14240-0644).
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