What a weekend!  This is my sixth 24 Foundation of Charlotte event. Hands down, it has been my favorite.  It is a special thing when 1,200 riders, 400 volunteers and thousands supporters come together under a common cause. Thanks to each and everyone one of you for helping raise more than $1.37 million to date. That means, we have collectively raised more than $10 million since the event’s inception 12 years ago!

A big thanks to our presenting sponsor and lead beneficiary, Levine Cancer Institute. They are a part of the DNA of our event. They have a team rides and also fundraises with the best of them. They put on a fantastic Bowling 4 Booty fundraising event. They have brought out their talented staff to help us all better understand where we are in this fight against cancer and provide information about the work they are doing every day in the trenches.

It was also just fantastic to be back home at Myers Park Traditional. The location doesn’t make an event, the people do. Still, you can’t beat bringing together the convenience of being at the school with the mission of 24 Foundation. Just look at the start of the event—how fantastic were the Myers Park neighbors this year?!?  The parties were such a great way to kick off the event and just had another level of excitement to the event.

We had more than 400 volunteers come out to help out at the event. 400!! They brought so much energy to the event. I saw them out helping riders get water, passing out information about our beneficiaries and unloading cars at gear drop—they were doing it all!

We also had the support of our fabulous beneficiaries. The Survivorship Celebration to honor cancer survivors was just fantastic. Kelly Franson with WBTV moderated our amazing panel of speakers including Dr. Chasse Bailey-Dorton with Levine Cancer Institute, Moira Quinn of Charlotte CENTER CITY Partners and Colleen O’Farrell with the LIVESTRONG Foundation. The celebration wrapped up with a graduation ceremony for members of Carolinas Cancer Wellness Program that is funded by 24 Foundation.  Colleen from was also at the Haven of Hope almost the entire event talking about the work the LIVESTRONG Foundation does on behalf of survivors. Remember, if you have someone who is diagnosed with cancer, pass along their number 855.220.7777 They’re here to help.

Thanks to all of you who got swabbed and joined the Be the Match National Marrow Registry at the event. We added 51 people this year! This week, Libby Jones, a 3-year old will be getting a bone marrow transplant using a therapy that was initially funded by 24 Foundation riders.  Please keep the Libby and Team LIBSTRONG in your thoughts and prayers this week. Getting swabbed and on the registry makes a huge difference.

We also appreciate our sponsors for going above and beyond in supporting this event. Check out the graphic below and if you have a chance, pop into their store and tell them thanks. I know they would love to hear your story.

There are so many people to thank for making this weekend so special. There are even more stories we could share that would fill a book that would inspire people year-round.  Above all, whether you stretched your fundraising or mileage goals, thank you all for going just a little bit more than you thought you could to honor your loved ones and support the mission of 24 Foundation.

See you in 2014!