Active MSers: This organization was started by Dave Bexfield in 2006. A writer by trade, Dave has also always been an adventure-seeker. Soon after a trip to Vietman and Cambodia in early 2005, his MS symptoms began. Unfortunately his MS happened to be a very aggressive form (that being one which would likely require walking aids within 5 years), but fortunately, Dave and his wife Laura decided to fight it with all they had. Dave started a disease-modifying therapy in March 2006. His story is fascinating. While various therapies failed him, in 2010, he decided to take part in a risky yet aggressive clinical trial, HALT-MS. This four-step trial includes 1) harvesting the patient's own adult stem cells, 2) clean the stem cells of the T-cells thought to maybe 'cause' the MS, 3) obliterate the immune system.. wipe it out, reset it... 4) inject the refreshed stem cells back into the body (and then treat with chemotherapy). Since this, his MS has not progressed. He takes no medications daily for MS. He exercises 1.5 hours per day. His goal with this organization is to provide practical information on how to stay active regardless of the devastating effects that MS has on the body, while raising awareness of the both seriousness of MS, but also those who are still extremely active. He hopes to inspire a worldwide community of MSers to stay active. Likewise, HALT-MS may hold a key to stop MS progression and maybe even reverse some disability.

National MS Society: MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and optic nerves). Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or more severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. My Aunt Sandy (my mom's sister) was diagnosed with MS at age 28, right after my cousin Brian was born. The doctors thought that her symptoms during her pregnancy were pregnancy-related, but they did not subside after he was born; thus further testing revealed that it was Multiple Sclerosis. She has the most amazing attitude towards life, and she and my Uncle Del are two of my biggest supporters. Worldwide, MS affects some 2.5 million people, though symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Currently there is no cure, but  advancements in research have worked to control symptoms, and progress towards finding a cure is very encouraging. Please consider a donation to my Honorary Fund (see top of page).

Jenny's Light: Jenny's Light was started in 2008 to improve and save lives by raising awareness of all perinatal disorders, including postpartum depression. Becky Lavelle is a fellow competitor, one who I have always had immense respect for, and she is also twin sister to Jenny, who took her own life along with her newborn son in late 2007. Soon thereafter, Becky and her family started Jenny's Light. Postpartum depression can happen to anyone (and is not uncommon), and women need to be encouraged to talk about it. Jenny's Light is crucial in helping to raise awareness and increase knowledge of these types of disorders. Please take a moment to check out this very important organization.


Front Steps: Restoring Hope to Austin's Homeless
Based on the belief that all people deserve the dignity of a safe place to call home, Front Steps' mission is to provide a pathway to home through shelter, affordable housing, and community education. Nearly 9,000 people utilized The Arch in 2007-2008, including an average of 450 individuals per day. Activities that I may do to help out at The Arch include working the soap desk (giving out essential hygiene products and delivering mail), serving meals, assisting in the computer lab, or simply donating essential items at various times throughout the year. Unfortunately when racing is in full swing, finding the time to get in and volunteer is few and far between, but the winter months allow for more time spent at The Arch.

Shawns Anomaly: In June of 2009, Shawn was born in Houston, TX. He was born with several urological conditions including multicystic dysplastic kidney and then diagnosed with paten urachus. At 10 days old, he had surgery to repair the leaking from his belly button. During surgery the doctors noticed something they had never before seen, as he was born with a second urethra, as it split near his prostate and exited through his anus. At the moment, they did not know how to cure this problem, a startling fact in this day of modern medicine. At 7 months old, Shawn had an unprecedented surgery to repair his condition. During surgery they also removed cysts where his kidneys should have formed, and at 14 months, he had another surgery to repair a tethered spine. Shawns Anomaly Foundation and the Texas Children's Hospital have teamed up to help pediatric urology research and raise awareness of this condition as well as any others which may arise in the future.