#439: Why I Need You Now More Than Ever

Update on Living Strong at the Y 2013 Campaign

I wanted to let you know that we’re doing great… but we still have a long way to go before our race is finished.

People have been so generous. We have received over $2700 so far. That’s 40% of our goal with just 11 days to go until the Flying Pig Marathon on May 5^th in Cincinnati. I have run just under 180 miles so far to prepare myself. There will be plenty more before the starting gun goes off.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the folks who have given so far.

If I could, I would get down on my knees and plead with the folks who haven’t. Please join us with a contribution.

What We Can Achieve

Last year’s campaign raised over $3600. Let me put that in concrete terms for you. Your contributions alone made it possible for 10 cancer survivors and their families to become members of the Y at no charge. Lifting weights. Running on treadmills. Participating in group exercise classes. Their spouses got to workout with them. Their kids and grand-kids got to swim in the pool. And all that happened because you stepped up with a donation to Living Strong at the Y.

This year, we’re trying to double that amount. If we can, we’ll be able to pay personal trainers and specialists in Yoga, Pilates, Zumba and nutrition to bring our participants even better training and information. We’ll be able to transport survivors to off-site locations for hiking, biking, and activities that their home facility can’t accommodate. We’ll be able to support this summer’s first session outside of Lexington when we bring LIVESTRONG at the YMCA to Georgetown, KY. But we won’t be able to do any of those things without the support of people who believe in our mission: helping cancer survivors to become cancer victors.

Why I Need Your Help in 2013 More Than Ever

Let me get personal for a minute. This summer, for the first time since our pilot program began in 2011, I will not be a part of LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. Severe Clinical Depression has forced me into an indefinite leave of absence from work and the people I love so much. It’s going to be hard sitting on the sidelines while the work goes on without me… but it will be so much harder if we have to cut back our programs because of a lack of funding.

I may be too sick to work for now, but nothing will stop me from running this race on behalf of the people who can’t. Please don’t let anything stop you from joining me in their fight.

We have received donations from $10 to $1000 from people who believe in the work we’re doing. Every one is a treasure. Please add your own gift to theirs.

Online, go to www.crowdrise.com and type “Robert Parks Johnson” into the search box to make your tax deductible contribution.

If you prefer, you can send a check, made out to “YMCA” to

Robert Parks Johnson
Living Strong at the Y 2013
North Lexington Family YMCA
381 West Loudon Ave
Lexington KY 40508

Because cancer can kill us, but it can never defeat us… if we Live Strong.

Peace,
Pennsy