I'm riding 328 miles (yes on a bike) I need a little help - thanks Ben

Hi everyone! Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I know this is a little off topic for this blog but what the heck it's my blog...Please forgive me...if my big mouth causes a little embarassment but raises money for a great cause then so be it....

I'm asking for your support as I prepare to ride 328 miles across the entire state of Ohio – all to help people who are battling cancer right now, and make sure others don’t face the same dilemma.

On July 28^th, I’ll embark on a bike tour called the American Cancer Society Pan Ohio Hope Ride – www.panohiohoperide.org – which will take 4 days and cover 328 miles. As you might know I rode in this amazing event last year and became even more convinced how great a cause this is.

Check out some pics from last year's ride: http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=panohio08&s=int

The tour’s goal is to raise awareness about, and funds for, the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodges. These facilities are essentially massive “homes” that are open to anyone who is fighting cancer but is struggling financially, logistically, or in any other way. The Hope Lodges give these fighters, and their families, everything they need so they can solely focus on getting better. I encourage you to read up on what these facilities are – and read the testimonials. While there are many cancer-fighting fundraisers, the Pan Ohio Hope Ride is the only one I know of where you can directly meet the people benefitting from your donation. It’s an incredible feeling! You can share in the experience by following me on twitter @bblanquera as I "tweet" from the open road.

Please click on the link below to help make a difference. Any amount helps me reach my fundraising goal and helps provide services to cancer patients and their families.

http://bit.ly/benbpanohio

My wife Sandy is also riding - (I'm very proud of her) - if you'd like to help her out pls go to her site: http://bit.ly/sandyb

I greatly appreciate your willingness to read this blog posting and do hope you will donate what you can. My total fundraising goal is $2500 – easily attainable through a volume of small donations

Thank you and wish me luck – I’ll need it!

Ben

P.S. If you or someone you know has cancer, please encourage them to call the American Cancer Society toll free at 1-800-227-2345. Live, trained cancer specialists are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week with information and support. The service is free – thanks to donors like you!