About Sophia Grace Lopez
UPDATED 9/11/22!!!
GO GOLD FOR GRACIE
IRONMAN WISCONSIN EDITION
I wasn’t going to race tomorrow because I do not feel ready. I have not trained like I did for the Des Moines Ironman. But it is much like the families with children who have cancer, you are never ready for the journey ahead. Catherine and I were never ready to hear Sophia Grace had cancer. Sophia Grace was not ready for the pain, suffering and exhaustion she has gone through with treatment. Our other children were never ready to see their time with their parents vanish. But like all the other families and children battling pediatric cancer, we have fought through it and found love even in the darkest of times. For all those reasons I am riding tomorrow during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. I may not be ready for the race tomorrow, but I will finish!!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Thank you for all the prayers, love and donations from everyone who has helped in this journey.
If you have a minute, please donate below to help improve treatment for pediatric cancer.
Go Gold For Gracie!!
Ironman Wisconsin
Bib 1349
GO GOLD FOR GRACIE Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser : Full Ironman Edition!!
Family and friends,
Sweet Sophia Grace has been battling cancer for 2 years and is beating it! Her courage and spirit has been unbreakable despite the pain, and she is an inspiration to others but especially for Catherine and myself.
Unfortunately, the majority of pain and suffering Sophia Grace is going through comes from the chemotherapy medications themselves. The medications for pediatric leukemia are pre-historic (the two chemos that Sophia Grace is taking now are over 70 years old). These chemotherapy medications have lasting negative effects on the children who take them. Two-thirds of pediatric cancer patients will have long lasting chronic conditions from these treatments.
I am competing in my first full Ironman tomorrow in honor of Sophia Grace and all of the children going through treatment for Leukemia. Last year I completed two 70.3 Ironmans, and I decided that if Sophia Grace is still fighting, than I will too. So tomorrow I will be racing 140.6 miles, in honor of Sophia Grace. If you could donate just a few cents per mile, it will make a huge difference in the lives of these children. Only 4% of the federal budget for cancer research goes to pediatric cancers, and foundations like Alex's Lemonade Stand are funding research that the federal funding does not cover. Please click on the fundraising page below and help further research to improve the treatment for these children. Thank you for your support and thank you for everyone’s continued prayers!!
STRONG BODIES RACE, SO THAT CHILDREN CAN BE CURED!
GO GOLD FOR GRACIE!
Ironman Des Moines
BIB 1049
LET'S GO!!