A good friend and triathlete, Shar Anderson, has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the liver. Inland Inferno is holding a Poker Ride & Run to help offset her medical expenses, but mostly its a showing of care and support. The ride & run will be on Sept. 3rd at Yorba Reg. Park in Anaheim, Ca. If you are in So. Cal please consider coming out and supporting a triathlete in need. More details about the event (including how to help if you can’t attend) are posted below. Who is Shar Anderson? Shar is one of those fantastic people who comes into your life and instantly makes it better. She has boundless energy and enthusiasm. Always the first to offer to help and always up for any new challenge or adventure. A few years ago Shar was a typical wife and mother. She raised her kids, taught math at the local college, and helped out at her church. In 1999 she found her kids grown and her marriage over. So at the age of 50 she decided to ride her bike around the world as a part of the Odessey2000. She sold her house & car and rode 18,000 miles in 12 months becoming one of only 60 people to complete the entire ride. While riding through Europe she happened upon Ironman Austria and thought it looked like fun. She called a friend back home and they signed up for Ironman Lake Placid 2001. That’s how Shar came into my life. Since then she has continued to compete in Ironman as well as complete a dozen or so ultra runs (Angles Crest 100, Western States, etc.). In February of 2005 Shar went to Antartica for a marathon and while there became one of 3 people known to have bicycled on all 7 continents. Next up was Ironman Az. After that a break was in order, so Shar traveled with us to IMCDA just to spectate and be our sherpa. After the race we found that Shar had collected all of our bikes & bags and already had them back at the house. Then she stayed at the finish line until midnight cheeering in the final finishers. The following week, Shar was to have arthroscopy on a knee that was troubling her. Before her surgury she told the doctor she felt a little feverish and the doctor decided to run a few tests. Thats when (only 6 weeks ago) Shar was told she has advanced cancer of the liver. Second and third opinions have confirmed the diagnosis. We are all shocked and devestated, but Shar has continued to be upbeat and optomistic. She is a great person with a heart like a lion. We hope & pray she will tackle this challenge like she has some many others. Thanks for listening, Gary Mc Fundraiser for Shar Anderson As some of you know, Shar Anderson has been diagnosed with cancer – cholangiocarcenoma is the current diagnosis. Shar is both well know and well loved in the many different communities that she’s a part of – Inland Inferno Triathlon Club, Foothill Flyers, Mt. San Antonio College, Foothill Presbyterian Church. We would like to help Shar thru her recovery by holding a bicycle ride and run/walk in her honor. Here are some more details about the Fundraiser on Saturday, September 3rd.** What: Poker Ride/Run/Walk for Shar(lene) Anderson When: Saturday September 3rd, 2005. Registration starts at 7:30. Ride starts at 8:00. Run/Walk starts at 8:30 Where: Yorba Regional Park 7600 E. La Palma Anaheim Why: Have fun, raise money, win prizes Who: Everyone is welcome to join the fun We have some great prizes to give away like an Ironman watch, REI gift card, Road ID gift certificates, and a ton of other prizes & more. This is a fundraiser for Shar Anderson to help offset her treatment costs. 100% of the money raised will go directly to Shar. The minimum donation is only $10.00. Please plan on coming out and supporting this great cause, and bring your friends. Q&A Do I need to Pre-Register?** No, but please e-mail me if you are planning on doing the ride or the run/walk so we can have enough drinks and snacks at the finish.** What’s the course like?** The ride is a total of 44 very flat miles to the beach and back along the Santa Ana River bike path. It is not a race; you don’t get better cards by going faster. The run is a 5K (or 3.1 flat miles) with 2 out and back loops along the Santa Ana River bike path. It, also, is not a race.** What if I want to go farther?** That’s great, please stop in and pick up your last card before you add on the extra miles.** What If I want to contribute but can’t make it that day?** No problem - just send in a donation of $10.00 or more and a volunteer will play your hand for you. You will still be eligible for prizes. My address is at the end of this message.** What are the prize categories?** Awards will be given in at least the following categories: Best Hand, Worst Hand, Most Wild Cards, & Biggest Donation.** Is there support on the course?** No. In order for all of the money raised to go directly to Shar, we have to keep it simple. Please plan on bringing enough water & Powergel to get you through 44 miles, if on the bike and thru 3.1 miles if running or walking. We will have drinks and refreshments at the finish.** Where are the card stops? For the bike:** You will get 1 card at the start. Card stop #2 is at the bike path & Katella (Across from the Pond). Stop #3 is at the first restrooms at Huntington Beach. Stop #4 is back at Katella (Across from the Pond). You will get card #5 at Yorba Regional park when you finish.** For the run/walk:** You will get 1 card at the start. Card stop #2 is at the bike path & bridge (near Imperial Hwy).Stop #3 is at the start. Stop #4 is back at bike path near (near Yorba Linda Blvd). You will get card #5 at Yorba Regional park when you finish.** Is there a time limit?** Yes. While the Ride is not a race the card pick up stops have to close sometime. Stop #3 (at the beach) will close at 10:00, or when the last rider picks up their card. Stop #4 will close at 11:00. The finish stop will close at 12:00 and we will start awarding prizes. That gives you 4 hours to complete the ride. Very doable even for beginning cyclists.** How should I pay my donation?** Please bring cash or a check (Payable to Sharlene Anderson) with you to the ride. If you want to pay by credit card go to www.active.com/donate/sharleneanderson** Can I bring friends?** Yes! The more the merrier. Please tell all of your cycling and running friends about the Poker Ride and Run/Walk.** Who is Sharlene Anderson?** Shar is a friend. She is also the Vice President of the Inland Inferno Triathlon Club, anaccomplished ultra runner, math professor, and adventurer. Visit her website at www.caringbridge.org/visit/sharleneanderson and you’ll probably find out more about our inspirational friend.** I have more questions?** Great, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll do my best to answer them.David Molinaro – President Inland Inferno Triathlon Club – dmolinaro1@comcast.net29 Coriander, Irvine CA 92603
Big Bump.
Shar Anderson came into my life via the Inland Inferno Triathlon Club just after she ridden around the world. I didn’t even know that people did that kinda thang. I will be there supporting the ride/run/walk with both volunteer efforts and donations. It’s just good karma…When I visited Shar in the hospital on Monday, her first words were “I’m wearing the hat because I’m having a bad hair day…”
Shar has a lust for life that few ever experience. Having taught math for years, she had to develop the perfect sense of humor that carries her through everything. If nothing else, log into her website and give her some get well wishes from the Peaceful Tribe. She is, quite simply, an amazing woman and I’m proud to call her my friend.
Gary
Great event by the sounds of it - I can’t be there but the check is in the mail!!!
Hope her battle continues to go in her favor!!
Andrew
ba ba ba bump.
Dave, maybe this thread needs a new title. Something about M-dot tattoos, ex-pros racing age group, wives (gaining or losing), children (same thing), or tubular vs. clincher might get a few more views.
Gary Mc
Doing the bump.
Update on Shar: She asked her doctor point blank, “What’s the longest one of your patients has lived with this diagnosis?”. He replied 4-6 months is the average. Shar said “I asked what’s the longest?”. Doctor says 2 years. Shar just smiled and said “I’m going to make you famous!”.
This is a special person. Hope you can join us on saturday.
Thanks,
Gary MC