Chris Miller

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Team Endure to Cure page and for your interest in supporting my contribution to this great cause.

 

I have definitely taken a non-traditional path into the world of cycling. After a construction accident, I suffered a major back injury and began a decade of decline into a life of physical inactivity. I hit rock bottom when the pain became so bad that I could no longer walk a couple of blocks to the local park with my wife and my newborn son. Seemingly out of options, I decided to roll along beside them on my bike, pedaling every now and then to keep up. Surprisingly, at the end of our very first “walk” together this way, I found that I had much less pain and more mobility than before we began.

 

I began setting goals to push my limits and to help improve my condition. My first goal was 5 miles in a day and over a year later I cycled across Florida. Thankfully, I’ve been able to reach all my progressive goals and in the process lost over 40lbs, “fixed” my back, and at the age of 45, I am in the best shape of my life.  My ultimate goal is to complete the Race Across America.  But I believe achieving my goals, however challenging, will not mean much in the end if I achieve them solely for my own satisfaction. I have to make this pursuit a part of a cause much bigger than my goals themselves. This is the reason why I’ve become a part of Team E2C and joined the fight against pediatric cancer.

 

Like most people, cancer has affected my life. I’ve lost many people in my life to this disease. I’ve seen first-hand the devastation it causes--both to those afflicted, and to the family and friends around them. The pain that those people endure when a child is diagnosed with cancer is too much for me to even comprehend.

 

Contributions to my effort will help Endure to Cure fund a survivorship study at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. Few people know that 60% of pediatric cancer survivors suffer long-term side effects, often times severe.  This study will fund a clinical research psychologist's salary for 2011 and 2012 to work with survivors, collect critical data, and help put new post-survivorship treatment methods into place. This will have an immediate and long-term impact on the cause. 

 

I know these are tough times but I hope that you find a way to contribute to this effort.  Remember, no contribution is too small and know that 100% of all funds donated in my name will go directly to E2C and will not be used to fund any of my event entry fees, travel, etc.

 

I also recommend that you browse this site for more facts about pediatric cancer, the current and long term goals of E2C, and to learn more about this amazing organization.

 

I cannot do this without your help! Thank you for your generous support,

Chris Miller