Most of you know my colleague, Neil Versel who writes the Meaningful Health IT News blog and has also written for pretty much every major Healthcare IT publication that’s existed. I recently got a note from Neil that he was going to participate in a 100 mile bike ride (a century ride as they call it) called the Wrigley Field Road Tour. As part of this ride he raises funds and awareness for two great causes: World Bicycle Relief and Chicago Cubs Charities. By supporting Neil and these charities, you will help fund the provision of bicycles for African students in desperate need of transportation to school as well as helping to better the lives of Chicago-area youth.
Of course, Neil’s too shy to share his story about the ride, so I’ll do it for him and then make a special offer:
The Wrigley Field Road Tour holds a special place in my heart. In 2011, it was my first-ever century ride. After training all summer, my parents made the trip to Chicago for the weekend and followed me up to the finish in Milwaukee, even though my dad was gravely ill and was barely able to travel. Though he could not even get out of the car at the finish, he told me how proud of me he was and that he hadn’t seen me that happy in years. The next day was my parents’ anniversary, and we had brunch at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, where they were married 45 years earlier, a beautiful capper to a perfect weekend. It would be the last visit my dad would make and the last anniversary my parents would celebrate together, as he succumbed to a terrible disease called multiple system atrophy (MSA) in May 2012. Amid all the sadness, my memory of my first Wrigley Field Road Tour is a daily source of inspiration for me.
As of now, Neil’s raised $295 of his $1000 goal. Let’s see if we can come together as a health IT community and push him over his goal. I just donated myself and I hope you will too.
Plus, Neil has made an even better offer:
If I meet the minimum of $400 by August 10, I get a free guest pass to the afterparty on the field at Wrigley, featuring a private performance by the BoDeans, as well as all you can eat and drink. If I get to my goal of $1,000 by August 10, I can bring two guests. I, of course, will pick from my donors. It could be you.
To sweeten the pot even more, I’ll offer a 1 hour call/video chat/meeting to the first seven people/organizations who contribute $100 or more to support Neil. You can use that hour however you want. If you want me to consult you on blogging, social media, or some other topic, we’ll do that. If you want me to talk to your CEO or other experts, I’m happy to do that (which will likely lead to a blog post). Nothing like supporting a great cause and getting something valuable in return.
Let’s make this happen. We only have until August 10th, so go support a great cause today!
John,
Thanks for sharing. Way to go Neil!
Thanks for supporting him Beth.
John, I didn’t see this post until today. I was wondering why I suddenly got several donations from the health IT community. Thanks so much! Thanks to Beth as well.
As the day approaches, I’ll share details on how you can follow my ride and, hopefully, tweet a victory photo or two at the end. My back has been a little sore of late. 🙁
Glad that it’s worked. I’m happy to support good people and a good cause.
[…] thanks to Healthcare Scene guru John Lynn, who hosts this blog for me, for, without my prompting, promoting the fact that I’m cycling 100 miles in an event called the Wrigley Field Road Tour on Sunday, Aug. 25, […]