Creative Ways to Generate Donations
Carolyn Del Grosso, 2008 Co-Chair, Ride for Life, 2007 Ride for Life Competitor & Exhibitor
Be resourceful and put on your thinking cap when you are fundraising for PVDA Ride for Life. Think about all your family and friends and make them aware that you are getting pledges to support breast cancer research. Have your family and friends ask others to support the cause.
Carolyn Del Grosso was successful in raising donations. She had the second highest amount of pledges. Carolyn talked to all her students and asked them to pledge. Some students in turn asked others they knew to pledge in memory of a loved one or in tribute of a survivor. Carolyn's students did not want to let her down or risk having the hardest lesson of their life. Carolyn also asked the owner of one of the horses she was showing to collect pledges in support of her horse.
One student was able to get matching funds for each of her participating pledges. The company where she worked had a corporate matching program that supported charities employees contributed to during the year. You need to be aware of or ask about which matching gift programs are offered through companies or foundations. These types of programs will help to boost a rider's donations significantly. There is no harm in asking for pledges for a good cause. With a little effort, everyone can benefit. It is always rewarding to help others in need. Until there is a cure for breast cancer, funding can only help research continue the quest. Submitted by Margaret Purcell
Inspirations & Memories
CARAVAN FOR THE CURE! Traveling from North Carolina to participate in the show and support the Johns Hopkins, Quality of Life Research Fund.
Tanya Horning, 2008 Ride for Life Competitor
On June 26, 2007, I was diagnosed with stage IIb invasive ductal carcinoma which is the most common form of breast cancer. I am looking forward to marking my one year as a survivor by participating in the Ride for Life, and will be riding in honor of my friend Diane Skiba who has been my inspiration, and taught me how to "fight like a girl." We went through treatment together, and though we are both finished and recovering well, she continues to amaze me with her strength and courage.
After undergoing bilateral mastectomies, reconstruction and six rounds of chemotherapy, I know firsthand how programs and research offered at Johns Hopkins benefit breast cancer patients. I am grateful for the opportunity to raise funds for this worthy cause, by riding my horse, "Fidget," who quite literally carried me through my own battle with breast cancer.
Meredith Mannheim, 2008 Ride for Life Competitor
I have several serious and funny reasons for attending this show. First of all both of my grandmothers had breast cancer. One died from it when I was five and the other survived and died of old age. Secondly it seems that more and more friends, friends of friends, etc. are being diagnosed and luckily are surviving. If going out and doing something I enjoy would in any way help to increase the rate of survival, then I am all for it.
The fun side of this show for me is that I use to show up there for YEARS and I haven't been back since the 80's. So I am bringing my husband so we can eat the world's greatest crab cakes. And probably the biggest reason, to be with my friends. I hope to see Sir Mix A Lot with an adult beverage of choice served on a silver platter to us as we exit the arena! Now THAT would be a good show!
Parker & Susanna Stevens, Sponsors & 2008 Ride for Life Competitor
"Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent and guts. That's what little girls are made of; the hell with sugar and spice." I think this quote best describes the women whom my husband and I have seen battle breast cancer. We have decided to make the trip from North Carolina to Maryland not only to support our friend and survivor Tanya Horning but also to support all those who have fought this disease. We cannot wait to meet everyone and share in the love of horses and the celebration of life!
Susan Wiedman, 2008 Ride for Life Competitor
I have several friends that have had cancer and I am going to the show to help raise awareness and show my support. Susie is a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist and owns her own farm, Ovation Farm, in Sanford, NC where she teaches and trains.
Nanci & Amanda, 2008 Ride for Life Competitors
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Cherie Chavin, 2008, 2007 Ride for Life Competitor
The Ride for Life is a very special event for Cherie, as she will ride in memory of her first dressage instructor, Joy Elizabeth Court. Joy lost her fight against breast cancer after several relapses and extensive treatment efforts. Through years of illness, triumph and defeat, Joy was forever passionate, determined and optimistic! And she always wore the most beautiful head scarves while cleaning out stalls and watering horses!
For over six years, Joy was Cherie's mentor and instructor as she developed a passion for the hard work and perfection demanded by dressage work. Initially without her own horse, Cherie began lessons on Joy's schoolmaster, a lovely grey named Tak. Later Joy worked tirelessly to develop dressage skills in Cherie's groundbound event horse. After a long journey of Decker regularly jumping out of the dressage arena at least five times every lesson, he eventually consistently knocked the socks off the competition at Preliminary level horse trials! Cherie owes so much to Joy's humor, dedication and persistance! Joy was a longtime member of the United States Dressage Federation and Dallas Dressage Club. In addition to being a dressage instructor, Joy was a science teacher at a local elementary school. At just 47 years of age, Joy passed away in Dallas, Texas on January 17, 1997.
Christina Dale, 2007 Ride for Life Competitor & Photographer
I come from a hunter and eventing background and just recently moved into dressage. When I found out about the PVDA Ride for Life I was really excited about the fact that I could compete, watch top level riders, and support the search for a cure. Many people have had cancer touch their lives either directly or indirectly, my great-aunt died of breast cancer and my uncle died at the age of twelve from another form of cancer. The Ride for Life makes the search for a cure personal and provides riders a way to support the Johns Hopkins Research Center while doing what we love, riding our horses.
Liz Erwin, 2008, 2007 & 2006 Ride for Life Competitor
Going down centerline at Ride for Life has a special meaning and feeling of pride for me. I ride in memory of my step-mother, Robin Schween, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2000. While she didn’t understand eventing or dressage, she was very proud of how “smart” I looked in my “outfit” and my horse’s pretty braids. At the 2007 show, my horse rose to the occasion winning the large Training 4 class and High Score American Warmblood for the show. I felt as if my step-mother was riding on my shoulder, encouraging us every step of the way while my family and friends watched.
I raised most of my donations through a letter-writing campaign. In addition to our extended family, many of my friends have also been touched by breast cancer – many more than I was aware of. I am still amazed how generous and supportive everyone has been. Pat Artimovich, who I had the pleasure of volunteering with at the inaugural Ride for Life Show, is also quite an inspiration. Please, do what you can to help support breast cancer research. If you can’t ride, then help volunteer. Remember be a buddy to a friend and remind them to get an annual mammogram, it could save their life.