Pedro Henrique Butelli

Everytime I'm in a situation where I feel like I can't go on, physically or mentally, I remember that tomorrow I'll be stronger just for being there. Whenever I'm challenged by something hard that I must (or want) to do, be it an important test that might change my career or a race where I feel terrible while I'm not even halfway finished, I get motivated knowing that no matter what the outcome is, a better person is going to come out of the rubble afterwards. Thinking like this led me to not only recover fast from disappointments, but to get the courage to do things I thought were impossible.

I'm currently training for my first marathon in July 2012, my first Ironman 70.3 in August 2012, and my first Ironman in 2013. What motivates me is not only the thrill of accomplishing these challenges but the fulfillment that comes from knowing that I pushed my limits and the "5 years ago" me would be proud of the "present" me.

However,  the hardships that I put myself through are nothing compared to what cancer patients have to face daily. Nobody chooses to face those kinds of obstacles in their lives, and that's why I decided to help by joining Endure to Cure.

I, along with other courageous fundraising athletes within our foundation, are trying to help fund a pediatric cancer survivorship study at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. The study will enable a clinical psychologist to research methods to reduce the long-term effects of harsh treatments on pediatric cancer patients. Your donation will directly go towards funding a Masters or PhD-level clinical research psychologist’s salary for a year. The clinical psychologist will be the sole person involved in this study.

 

So why is this study important? Many people do not realize that 60% of pediatric cancer patients will suffer long term side effects, often times severe, after they have been deemed "survivors." Post-survivorship is a very underfunded and under-examined area of study. This study can have an immediate impact with patients the psychologist examines and a long-term effect as more data can be used to put new post-survivorship treatment methods into place.

 

Please join me in my fight against pediatric cancer by donating to this amazing foundation. No contribution is too small! 

 

Thank you,
Pedro Henrique Butelli