Sometimes you need a reminder

Let me start by saying this blog post has a prerequisite.  If you didn't read my report from the GORUCK Challenge, please do so now. Here's the link: GORUCK Challenge - Wining Hearts and Minds

Really, go read it... I'll wait.

OK, done?  Good. That experience was one of the most incredible experiences I've had, so I wanted to share it. I wanted to share it with people I think can use it, and will understand it.  My children.  So when I decided to do the custom GORUCK Challenge in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day Weekend, I decided to see if it would be possible to get any of my kids there to shadow.  More on that in a minute.

I want to take a moment to explain why I decided on this GRC.  In my first GORUCK Challenge, (which you've all read about) I met an incredible person that I now call a friend, Patrick Jessee, a Chicago paramedic and firefighter.  During that challenge I learned that in 2011 he was diagnosed with non Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Blood cancer.  He underwent six months of chemotherapy, and is now in remission. As some of you know, I am a cycling coach for Team in Training (the endurance training part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) and his story resonated with me.  Patrick is now a candidate for the 2014 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year.  He decided to organize a custom GORUCK Challenge as a fundraiser for LLS.  I knew immediately that I'd be in and recruited a few others to go too.

Patrick Jessee-Chicago Fire Department  and Lymphoma Survivor

Back to my kids... I want them to experience GORUCK and see what it's like to depend on others for success and have them depend on you.  I want them to witness a group of people that focus on the mission and getting the job done, and don't worry about themselves individually.  I want them not only to do things that make them better, but to become better people.  They live on the Alabama Gulf Coast.  Of my four children, I could make it work for two of them to do it.  Logan, 16 years old on Ruck Day, and Julianne who will be 18.  I told them both that registration was $150 and that if they really wanted to do it, that I would fly them up to shadow it IF they raised $150 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I wanted them to have some skin in the game.  To take some ownership, and be a part of something that was greater than themselves.  They agreed and I bought plane tickets.

So today, I'm talking to Logan about how he shouldn't worry, he'll pass out before he dies.  How I talked to the Cadre, Lou, and gave him permission to do whatever is necessary to keep him in line.  General motivation.  Then I asked him how his fundraising was coming.  He told me that he had already raised about half of it.  $70.  I was feeling pretty proud of him and told him that was a great job.  That's when he did it.  He called me out.  A very simple, sincere question.  "So, dad, how about you? How much have you raised?"

Yeah.  I had no answer.  What am I supposed to say?  I paid my registration fee? That wasn't part of the deal?

Right then it hit me.  I shouldn't ask him to do something I won't do.  Lead by example.  I felt ashamed that I hadn't considered it before, but he was right. And I told him so.  So, I'm fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Those of you that know me know that this is not the first time that I have raised money to fight blood cancers.  I've done it before as part of Team in Training.  This is different.  There is no minimum.  No incentives other than setting a good example, and doing the right thing.  So, I'm asking for your help.  Anything you can give.  $5 to $500. $1 to $1000.

You can write a check to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and mail it to me at this address: 

Bo Lackey
1331 South St. #11
Madison, WI 53715

You can send me money via paypal at sgtjhlackey@gmail.com. Retweet the link, post it on facebook, email it to anyone and everyone.   This isn't a competition between me and my kids.  The total raised will go in one envelope and given to Patrick Jessee at the GORUCK Challenge for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We do GORUCK as a team, we fundraise as a team.  No individual involved, only completing the mission. 

I will also challenge everyone doing the Custom GORUCK to do the same thing.  No set amount, no suggested minimum.  Just bring an additional donation to the Challenge start.  Whatever you're able to do.  If you can raise more, bring more.  Let's all punch cancer in the throat.  Who's in?

And Logan...thanks for the reminder.