As promised, $1256 for the 6:25 or better Chrono Trigger run. As tempted as I am to put this donation towards naming Edward "Bieber," such a move would condemn me to a very deep part of hell. An even deeper part than I'm already going to, for first donating to have someone smack Carcinogen in the back of the head (despite the fact that he's an awesome guy), and then making float jokes (despite the fact that Essentia can fire back my own amusing live-run gaffes at me). So I think instead that I'll just use this donation to share my thoughts and feelings. Over the past five days, I have had the privilege of listening to stories that many people have shared with me. Many of those stories were sad ones: stories of friends and family members, whose lives were cut short by a horrible disease. You and your families have been in my heart for these past five days. Know that you have not only my thoughts and hugs, but those of everyone attending and watching this marathon. But, over these past five days, I've also heard another kind of story. Stories of hope -- of an uncle, a sister, a daughter, or a father who beat cancer. Each one of those stories is a single ray of hope, that taken together blaze like the sun. Your stories have warmed my heart. Your stories are the reason that someone I've never had the pleasure of meeting phoned me from the other side of the continent at four in the morning, to tell me to get back to the marathon. Thank you for sharing this hope with me. I've read that groups of people, from a neighbourhood to a nation, rise to accomplish great things when they face challenges that meet both of two conditions: the challenge is shared by everyone in the group; and, the group feels that they can actually overcome the challenge through action. From the stories that people have shared with me, it is clear that we face a shared challenge. Everyone loves someone who has battled this disease. But, what's more is that we know that we can overcome this challenge! The Pokemon screen-capture declaring that SDA defeated cancer was not just an idle joke; rather, it captured the sentiment and the passion of all of us, to overcome cancer. And that is why we have accomplished something amazing here, from the amazing runs produced by the runners, to the amazing donations raised by thousands of perfect strangers who came together for this fight. To everyone involved in planning and running this marathon, and to everyone who donated: thank you. For me, this has been a marathon of fun and joy. It has been a marathon of laughter. Sometimes, it has been a marathon of tears and sadness. But, above all, it has been a marathon of hope. Hope for a future in which there are fewer stories to be shared about cancer. Hope for a future in which more of the stories shared about cancer are stories of success. To everyone who has helped to make that future a reality, you have my most heartfelt gratitude. All the best, --Ryan "Poxnor" Vogt
|