In August 2010, Mercury Rising launched the first in a series of events to raise money for charity. At that event, we heard Laura Dodds tell her amazing story of overcoming the struggles of living with Fetal Alchohol Syndrome through the sport of triathlon. We managed to raise $1200 for the Calgary Fetal Alcohol Network's Empowerment Fund.
Now in 2011, we are aiming much higher, organizing bigger events with bigger goals. From the outset, we wanted our chosen charities to have meaning to us personally. For example, Laura is coached by one of our coaches, Michelle. This time around, we are raising money for Brain Cancer Research alongside one of my childhood friends, Alyson, who was diagnosed with Brain Cancer over a year ago.
Alyson is a woman of great talent and even before her diagnosis she was an inspiring person and leader. She has agreed to put together a presentation for us that i have no doubt will inspire us as athletes and enrich our lives. I am very much looking forward to hearing what she has to share.
On January 16th 2011, we will be holding a charity event at Tri-it Multisport, 2640 Parkdale Blvd NW, Calgary. Our goal is to raise $5000 for Brain Cancer Research. The day begins with Alyson's talk at 9am. We welcome anyone and everyone to join us for the talk which will be open to the public by donation. At 11am we will start the 3h SPINATHON, which will include live music and an inspirational slideshow followed by lunch. Join us for the whole day for $99 (or $89 for Mercury Rising athletes) and ALL of the proceeds will go towards the cause. Alternatively, join us for the whole weekend including the swim camp (go to www.mercuryrisingtriathlon.com/camps for details)! Its going to be an amazing weekend of learning together.
What follows is some further information about Alyson, her talk, and how you can expect to be inspired:
Seminar Bio - Balanced Roles for Smarter Goals
“With awareness of the fuller picture, your outlook becomes reasonable and your actions become practical and in this way, favourable results can be achieved” – his holiness the Dalai Lama
As an elite amateur athlete, there are constants demands on your time. You have limited amount of energy to expend and unlimited commitments demanding your attention. To achieve success in your goal of completing Ironman, it is critical that you have a plan which helps you manage your “athletic” roles in the pool, on the bike and on the road, without ignoring your “life” roles in your work, with your family and with yourself. While training, much of your immediate energy may need to be focused on your sport, however investing all your energy into but one part of your identity can leave a person feeling stressed, overwhelmed, unmotivated and resentful, all of which will only work to limit your performance on the course. In developing your plan for Ironman, it’s important that you consider how you can incorporate time to develop your “life” roles in conjunction to developing yourself as an athlete. It’s time dream about the best you can become, acknowledge all the key roles which make up your unique identity, and articulate smarter goals to balance your life and unleash your potential.
Speaker Bio - Alyson Woloshyn
Alyson Woloshyn is a leader, athlete, writer, consultant, motivational speaker and mentor. Alyson draws on her over 15 years experience developing people and programs, to offer practical and tactical strategies to inspire people to turn their impossible dreams into possible realities. Deeply committed to community engagement, professionally she has chosen to invest her talents working in the public and not for profit sector. As a community leader she has participated in planning major concerts, raised tens of thousands for local charities and assisted in planning major events such as the 2009 Juno Awards in Calgary. She currently works at the University of Calgary as the Director of Client Services and volunteers for the Calgary Stampede and Young Adult Cancer Canada.
In May 2009, Alyson was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma (GBM), an incurable form of brain cancer. Although a severe and serious diagnosis, she has chosen to approach her journey with cancer with strength and optimism and shares her journey through writing to help people understand how to turn devastating tragedy into a life’s greatest opportunity.
In her spare time Alyson is happiest when engaging in an active lifestyle which includes yoga, running, and outdoor activities like skiing and mountain biking. To bring her balance she writes, meditates, cooks and maintains close relationships with friends and family.
Website – alysonwoloshyn.com Book – “Blogs for the Brain” – available at alysonwoloshyn.com
Chosen Charity - Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF) Brain Cancer Research Grants and Trials
The Mission of ACF is to deliver progress in cancer research, prevention, treatment and care by generating community investment for Alberta's coordinated research strategy and cancer centres throughout the province. Alyson has created a specific campaign “Woloshyn’s Warriors” to support ACF in their research to find new treatments or a cure for brain cancer. Alyson has completed 15 months of treatment which included surgery, radiation and chemo-therapy. Treatment was “successful” however brain cancer can not be cured and recurrence happens in 99% of cases, likely in less than 5 years. Alyson has received the maximum dose of radiation and chemo-therapy a body can manage, consequently when recurrence happens, unless new therapies are created, there will be no options but putting hospice plans in place for Alyson’s care. Confident that new effective treatments are on the horizon, Alyson has chosen to support ACF research efforts to find new ways to treat or cure her disease.
Information about Alberta Cancer Foundation can be found at - http://albertacancer.ca/page.aspx?pid=643
To view “Woloshyn’s Warrior” campaign please visit - http://albertacancer.ca/page.aspx?pid=747&tab=0&frsid=620
We look forward to seeing you there!!
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