Barry Sherry

Well This Was Embarrassing

Last year, I believed that was going to be my last fundraising event. I have been doing this since 2009, starting with Livestrong in honor of my cancer diagnosis. A rainy day project will be to try and find out how much I have raised over the years.

The easiest year was 2009 for two reasons. First, I had been newly diagnosed with cancer, and nothing tugs on the heartstrings more than a personal battle. My cousin, Sarah, would also say that being young and cute. When her daughter battled leukemia, she raised her hand and $30,000 dropped in. I’m not young or cute.

The second reason is charity fatigue. The first time is easier than the second time and each subsequent time. As Julie (Roosters) lamented in 2019, Facebook added their charity modules, and it seems almost everybody has their favorite charity listed for a birthday fundraiser. You can’t give to them all. Personally, I tend to give to events and not Facebook birthday fundraisers. In 2009 that Livestrong event was a unique cancer cause, but by 2020 it was one of hundreds on Facebook competing with birthday fundraisers.

Many of my sponsors have been with me for 10 or more years. I think Alan has donated to every one although he made have missed one that I didn’t advertise widely. My sponsors get tired, but not as tired as I get asking. I really don’t like soliciting.

So last year I believed it would be my last fundraising event. And told sponsors that. Yet here I am.

Last week I sent out my first appeal. I reached everyone from last year, I think, except my anonymous donors. Sorry folks, this will be my last time. Never say never, but this time I feel it.

I don’t want anyone who gave last year to feel like I lied to them. If I did, I lied to myself. I thought that was it. But enough people accepted my iffy apology. Notices were popping in my mailbox. I was embarrassed to look. But so many FRIENDS. I am overwhelmed.

So here’s a huge THANK YOU to all those who jumped on board. Especially to Kristi and Mark/Patricia, who battle MS and let me ride for them. So many stories. Two families I met at Mount Washington. One from Ride the Rockies although we never met. Classmates. Cycling friends. Roosters and PWCC. And family.

Here’s to running it back one more time. And getting us closer to a cure.

Three - Two - One - Start

I have been very slow to embrace the critical part of this event - the fundraising. I have been in fundraising mode since 2009 when I raised $3000 for Livestrong and followed that up with $5000 the next year. I'm tired and my friends must be getting tired of me. But it is necessary.

Tonight I did my first social media posts. I went on Facebook, shared a link, and thanked my first donor, my cousin, Christine, who gave me money last year for "your next event." I used this platform to email most* of last year's donors, and I did a post in Strava.

I am looking forward to this trip and will share what it means to go back to the Pyrenees - in a future post. But here we go!!

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I'm fundraising for a world without MS

Hi,

Thanks for coming to my page! In June, I'm taking part in one of the world's toughest cycling challenges, Cycle for MS: Conquer the Tour

Cycle for MS is famed as one of Europe’s most unique and challenging charity cycling event. I'll be riding 400km over the toughest mountain climbs in the Pyrenees of this year’s Tour de France. You may have heard of them: Col du Aubisuqe, Col d'Aspin, Col du Peyresorde, and the famous Col du Tourmalet.

These mountains have a special connection for me. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 I set a recovery goal for 2010 and that was to go to France and ride these mountains. Little did I think that 15 years later I would get a second chance.

I'm taking part in Cycle for MS to raise money to enable the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) to collaborate with its members across the world to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of everybody affected by MS.

This fight is personal. I am able to weave my cancer survivorship into a trip that will make the difference for those with MS. While I do this for my family and friends I pray that countless others may benefit from my contributions.

Please join me in the fight against MS by contributing to my page.

Thank you for your support!