SAMMYRIDES Some Final Thoughts, Thanks and Special Note to Sammy May 1, 2011

Hi Everyone,         

    In 2008, I wrote what I thought would be my final Sammy Update...the day Sammy passed away.  Little did I realize how our lives would take on a challenging and different path with a bike ride across America to not only cherish Sammy's memory, but help hundreds of kids who suffer from Cancer.  It became our passion.  The pain of losing Sammy was and continues to be extremely painful, with deep sadness that crosses our lives constantly.  However, it was important for us to honor Sammy for all she represented and for who she was.  Anyone who has lost a loved one, particularly a child, truly understands.  We could have continued to protect our feelings, away from friends and family, but we decided that the pain, anguish, and sadness we were feeling, could be focused in a different and more positive direction, where we just might be able to help lots of other kids...special, like Sammy. And so, SammyRides was born and became a reality to us and to our community.  Finding people who could join in and help develop ideas, was of utmost importance. Along the way, we made mistakes, because after all, it was a new learning experience for us.  We learned a great deal about the character, decency, and incredible goodness of so many wonderful people within our community. There were several necessary changes that needed to occur in order for us to achieve our goals and we did that  by surrounding ourselves with people of the highest level of integrity.    We found individuals who served as our project team here in Sun City Center along with Team Will, out  in Sacramento, California.  The uniting of both is what has made Sammyrides such a success.  When you talk about those having the highest level of integrity, we had the best of the best and we are so proud of what each of them accomplished to make this ride such a phenomenal experience.  The following people are our project team members here in Sun City Center:

    Dee Giordano...a master at her craft in keeping impeccable records; not to mention her huge heart of gold. No one, and I mean no one, could have handled the task of handling the multitude of tasks placed upon her during these past two years like Dee.  Michael and I feel she has become family to us and we treasure this incredible friendship that has grown out of working together and going through all the ups and downs that a project like this presents at times.

 Kim Brown is another individual, like Dee,  who has such a kind, caring heart.  Never does this lady complain.....it amazes us.  She has handled every task with such grace and always, with a smile.  We are truly grateful for all her hard work and dedication for this project.  Kim has been a such a pleasure to work with and we are so happy and honored to call her,  our friend. 

  Jan Welsh....a neighbor who called one day with a great idea.  She volunteered to look at our route and contact various churches and organizations along the bike route where pot luck suppers and meet and greets would be held for us. The difficult part was doing the research and contacting leaders of various churches and organizations.   However, by the time we left for Arizona, 16 churches and organizations were set and ready to host us.  I must tell you that some of the most memorable moments for all of us during the ride was being welcomed by the congregants and participants from these wonderful places.  Their warmth, hospitality, sincerity and friendship, is something we will never forget, and we have Jan to thank for that. 

   Our fantastic riders.... John Bear, Adoph Lex, Mike Brown (and Michael, of course!)....you are our heroes without doubt....no better team, ever!  They made this difficult and challenging journey sheer joy, and for the hundreds that met them, particularly, all the kids they met in various hospitals across the country.  I remember the deep levels of emotions after each visit....these macho guys whose hearts were like jello when it came to meeting these fantastic kids.   We were honored to have these riders be a part of this project and thank them for the commitment, time, energy, determination...each gave every single day of the ride.

 A special thank you to their wives as well!!!  Linda, Frances, Kim, yes, even me, who allowed these riders to be away for two months!  We really appreciated your own "donation" to this project!!!

     Many thanks to the hundreds of volunteers in our Sun City Center community

Tessa Anzalone, Jo Ellen Aleide, Nancy Alguire, Diane Barnes, Gordy Bassett, Kim Bauer, Jim and Bunny Blackstone, Barbara Carter, Marc and Mary Chamberlain, Kathy Cohen, Joan Connelly, Charlene Courter, Susan and Dick Vogt,

Norma Daub, Ilene Davidoff, Roe Denton, Dan and Arlene Donahue, Mae-Ellen Dowdy, Walt Drugan, Delores Durm, Fran and Tom Fallon, Judy Flaherty, Jim Fleming, Roy and Bobbi Gardner, Dale Gerow, Karen Goldwater, Clyde Hancock, Julie Haskett, Janet Hollar, Mary Holtzman, Bonnie Johnson, Jack and Emmie Kauffman, Gary Kennelly, Sue Cox, Gret Umble, John Kirkland, Al Klein, Lynn Kraft, Joan Lawhead, Reggie and Diane Lawrence, Ann Marie LeBlanc, Frances and Adolf Lex, Lois and Michael Libenson, Monica McPhillips, Linda Murphy, Gloria Musgnug, Jan and Ken Myers, Kathy Norton, Joey Parker, Jan Welsh, Jim and Sue Payton, Ron Russell, Polly Schafer, Karen Sellars, Jim and Kay Stark, Maggie Wallin, Jeff White, Dee Giordano, Kim and Mike Brown, Brenda Wiseman, Paula Lipski, Doug Caroll, Marcia and Norm Karp, Lori Gaber, Ginny Stanton, Linda and John Bear, Elaine and Bruce Bialor, Ed Barnes, Mike Cassano, Sam and Ingrid Thompson, Ken and Jean Johnson, Andrea Nove, Judy Warfield, Nancy and Paul Carroll, Peggy Creasy, Carol Burgess,Doug Gatchel, John Luper, Jill and Ken Ihlo, and Anne Cassano, (who lovingly cared for our cat, Alpha, while we were away!!!)  If I have missed anyone, I truly apologize, but please know that you also have our undying appreciation for participating with us and helping this project become so successful!

There is absolutely no way we could have accomplished what we did without the ongoing help and support from these wonderful and special people.  And, countless others across the country...

Sun City, AZ...New Mexico....Texas....Louisiana....Alabama....Mississippi and Florida,  where many pot luck suppers and Meet and Greets were held for us....Unbelievable people that have become our friends.

Eight incredible hospitals who deal each day with kids going through cancer treatments....wonderful staff in each!  Never will we forget these wonderful kids.....their smiles are etched in our brains forever.

                        Thank you to the following organizations:

    The Sun City Center Softball League...thank you for having SammyRides as your charity of choice.....

    The Tootsie Roll Company for their incredible 30 lb. donations of Tootsie Rolls sent to each of the 8 hospitals we visited!!!!

    CVS who donated all the first aid materials, filling up an entire duffle bag.  

    AARP.....Unbelievable what we accomplished because of their involvement.  How fortunate we have been having had them in our corner.

    The Minto Foundation, who helped tremendously in sponsoring our journey. 

    Sun City, Arizona for the incredible support, friendship and fantastic send off!

    Doug Carroll and the wonderful people at the Sun City Center United Methodist Church for all their support....we truly value our friendship with you. 

    Ben Roloff, Kay Stark, Kay Bush, Linda Lindquist, Bill Pierson, Paul Herrmann and so many others from Sun City, Arizona, for being such fantastic supporters of our project.  They welcomed us with open arms and we owe them our deepest gratitude.  All of the residents of that community were so wonderful to us....our hearts are full from all the new friendships we've formed.  We couldn't have had a better send off if it weren't for Sun City, Arizona and all they did for us.  Thank you!!!  We are so proud to be associated with your community and all you did for SammyRides.

   To all of the many, many private and corporate sponsors....your donations helped us to reach well over $110,000!!!  Every dollar sent in made our goal possible and we believe will have a tremendous impact on kids in the future.  Just view the hundreds of  individual names as well as corporate sponsors listed on the web page of http://www.sammyrides.com/, to get a sense of the tremendous support we've had.  Our hope and prayers are that although SammyRides project has been completed, the public will continue to support pediatric cancer research.   Every child is vulnerable to this disease...Several thousand are diagnosed each year and over 1500 a year, succumb to it.    Please, continue the fight through organizations such as Team Will, Cure Search, St.Jude, Alex's Lemonade Stand, our SammyRides website or your own local hospital or cancer facility.  NEVER assume others should take the lead in helping rid our children of this insidious disease.  If you have a child or grandchild that is cancer free and healthy, all the more reason to get involved with an organization that is working constantly to make a difference.  It's easy to take a child's life for granted, but things can change in an instant in the life of a child and that child's family.  Do what you can for the kids.  Funding is being cut all the time by the US Govt. for pediatric cancer research....These elected officials should visit a few of the hospitals that treat these kids and then come away still believing we are doing enough.  It's not enough....in particular for the rare cancers.  Leukemia, years ago, was a death sentence for kids and young adults.  Today, however, because of better treatment and drug therapies, the survival rate is incredible.  Over 85% of children and young adults go on to live full and productive lives thanks to research and new treatments.   But, it takes money and lots of it to achieve these results. 

                              

To my good friends (Josh and Joe!) AB and all the instructors at the Florida Medical Training Institute, you did a great job with me!!!!    You gave me the confidence to be able to tackle any emergency....well, except for my own!!!!!  (who would have thought that half way through the ride, I'd be going through an emergency appendectomy!!!!!)  I am so grateful, but mostly, for the friendships I now have.

    Team Will......Our mentors who provided us with a 501 (c)(3)......Team Will stepped up to the plate when no one else and I mean no one, would take us on. They, and most particularly, Ken Scarberry, do the most wonderful projects for kids suffering with Cancer.  This most prestigious volunteer biking group, bike all over the country, raising awareness and help to families of kids struggling with cancer. We will forever be indebted to them.....they are truly the best; and just to see all that they do, go to:  http://www.team-will.org/ and see for yourself.....you'll be extremely impressed!  They have become lifelong friends to us and our project team.  And, a special thank you to Danny, Ernie, and all of the staff at Team Will.....no greater group of people could we have hoped for!

    And finally, to all the kids out there who are the utmost heroes ever......what each goes through daily to win the battle against cancer, you are an inspiration that made each day for us on the ride, a piece of cake.  We know and understand your struggle every single day...your courage is overwhelming.    And to your parents, they too are such an inspiration.  Our hope and prayers are that one day, your battle will be won....that's what this ride was all about and I hope in some small way, we've made a difference for you and for kids down the road.  We pray for that everyday.

  The donations we have raised, will be divided up and going to the following hospitals and research centers.....St. Jude, St. Joseph's Childrens Hospital, (Tampa, Florida,) and Cure Search.....we hope each and every dollar raised helps youngsters now and in the future....no child should ever have to experience or go through this horrific disease.  These are wonderful facilities where great things are done through research and the development of new treatments.  We are truly honored to support all three institutions.

    A Very special thank you to Shari, David and Rebecca Rotman for continuing their strength and love every day.  I've written so many times before how remarkable they have been and continue to be as individuals and as a family.  How lucky Sammy was to have such a fantastic and loving family....they made her time on this earth special, productive, unique; allowing her to be the person she wanted to be....strong, funny, courageous, daring, dramatic and loving.

    And Sammy.....always in our hearts, our hero.  You are truly a star to the thousands who now know of you.  You made your mark on this earth and you'll never, ever, be forgotten......and we love you so, so much!  Thank you for watching over us and guiding our journey from above. You have been such an inspiration to us all.  Your smile lit up the world and your courage was immeasurable.  I will always remember Sammy's last conversation with me...the day before she went to heaven.  I asked her; if she could make one wish, what would it be?  Her answer..."CFD"  Asking her to tell me what that meant, she looked directly at me and replied,  "cancer free day."

Isn't that what all of us want for the thousands of kids going through cancer and the thousands more that will be diagnosed in the future?  This is why SammyRides was so important to Michael, myself, and the hundreds of people who have been there for us.  Let's give these kids a CFD future so that they can one day enjoy a long, healthy, productive life with their families, friends and loved ones.  They each deserve all we can provide for them in supporting the cause and awareness for pediatric cancer.

Sammy Rotman

     THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR SAMMYRIDES!   WE LOVE YOU ALL! 

Mike and I send our ongoing love, gratitude, and best wishes to you all......Lois