Robert Butts
- National: 240th
- State: 8th in WA
I'm Riding For
Kathleen
When we met with Kathleen's oncologist, Dr. Hawkins, in the winter of 2001, he told us that she had a Rhabdomyosarcoma, a childhood cancer with a survival rate of 50%. Our only, miracle baby, had a 50 % chance of dying! However, he was leading a research project similar to the type of research funded by this organization, that increased the odds to 85%, but it meant more chemo using more lethal drugs. Fortunately, thanks to Dr. Hawkins, Dr. Conrad (her surgeon), and the incredible staff at Childrens, she is a healthy and happy 36-year old mother of two.
My Story
Hello, friends. This September, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to raise funds to fight kids' cancer.
Currently, cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the United States. More than 15,700 children are diagnosed every year, and sadly, 38 children die of cancer every week.
During the eight months we were in and out of Children's Hospital in Seattle when Kathleen was being treated for cancer, we met many families with children who were treated for cancer. Many kids survived, but many did not. It was heartbreaking.
I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support Children's Cancer Research Fund to allow them to continue their work to develop lifesaving treatments. Funds from the organization support research at Childrens in Seattle.
Please support me by making a donation to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.
Your support will help change the lives of children and spare their families and loved ones the pain and agony of losing a child.
Thank you.
My Challenge
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Thank you very much!
2 Oct 2024For all of you who contributed to Childhood Cancer Research as part of the “Bicycle Challenge”, thank you! We raised $4,074, which exceeded my fundraising goal, with 40 contributions. I also had a great incentive to get on my bike all month that did get me off the couch and reduced the time I wasted on Tic Tok, Facebook, and Instagram :—).
As I mentioned in my introduction, my daughter Kathleen had a rhabdomyosarcoma about 25-years ago. The average survival rate then was 55%. It has now climbed to 65%, which is better, but continues to be dismal for the children who are its victims and their families. Thanks to your contributions, perhaps we can increase the odds in the coming decade.
Thank you again.
Bob
Posted 50 days ago -
41.7 mi ride - Final Challenge Ride: South Thurston County - Sunday, September 29, 2024
Logged this ride 53 days ago -
17.2 mi ride - Putting on the miles: Woodard Bay - Saturday, September 28, 2024
Logged this ride 54 days ago -
Almost there: Time to increase the goals again?
26 Sep 2024I'm stretched out on the couch with an aching aging body after riding 36 miles this morning, which leaves me with a mere 9 miles to reach my 200 mile goal in the next 5 days. I'm also only $58 shy of my $4000 fundraising goal and number 7 in the other Washington riders in fundraising. I'm thinking I should increase both goals?!? Because of your generous past support, I'm going to try to ride an additional 50 miles this weekend and raise my fundraising goal to $5,600, which will get me in the top 3 in the state. After all, without pain, there is no pleasure.
Thanks for your past support and any and future support you can provide!
Onward.
Bob
Posted 56 days ago -
36.0 mi ride - Home to Chehalis-Western Trail Tee - Time for cold weather clothing - Thursday, September 26, 2024
Logged this ride 56 days ago -
39.3 mi ride - Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway: Edgefield McMenamins to Multnomah - Friday, September 20, 2024
Logged this ride 62 days ago -
Good Progress, but Miles to go
19 Sep 2024Thanks to all of you, I have reached my fundraising goal of $2500 with 10 days left to go. I still have 34 miles of bicycling to reach my 150 mile goal, but plan to get there in the next day or two.
So, to keep me off my very comfortable couch, I've concluded I need to raise my riding goal to 200 miles and my fundraising goal to $4,000. I am number one in fundraising in the Olympia chapter and number 10 in the state of Washington. I would love to be in the top three in Washington because of the great view from standing on a podium, which I have only done several times in my life.
Thanks ever so much.
Bob
Posted 63 days ago -
23.1 mi ride - Skookumchuck Tenino Misty Morning Ride - Sunday, September 15, 2024
Logged this ride 67 days ago -
16.4 mi ride - Woodard Bay Recovery Ride: Dodging the Rain Showers - Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Logged this ride 71 days ago -
$2,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $2,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved LEGEND LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 72 days ago -
26.5 mi ride - Working for the Miles: Independence Valley with a Wrong Turn - Sunday, September 8, 2024
Logged this ride 74 days ago -
25.1 mi ride - Chehalis-Western Trail ride - Putting on the miles - Friday, September 6, 2024
Logged this ride 76 days ago -
$1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $1,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved WARRIOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 76 days ago -
$500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved GUARDIAN LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 76 days ago -
$250 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $250 to fight kids' cancer and achieved PROTECTOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 76 days ago -
25.1 mi ride - Fish trap Loop Sunday Morning Ride - Sunday, September 1, 2024
Logged this ride 81 days ago -
$100 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $100 to fight kids' cancer and achieved DEFENDER LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 153 days ago
My Sponsors
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Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation
“Here's your matched donation from a group of wonderful Children's Cancer Research Fund supporters. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$427.89Received this donation 71 days ago -
Rollin Geppert
“The decisive moment is now.”
$274.28Received this donation 72 days ago
Robert
“Thank you, Rollie! Thanks to your contribution, I may hit my goal today. Yahoo. Perhaps I should increase the goal and go for a ride this afternoon. I've purchased your first volume of the best places to photograph Mt Rainier. While I am familiar with some of them, there are many locations I did not know about. I look forward to your upcoming volumes. Bob”
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Chris Meserve
$258.75Received this donation 76 days ago
Robert
“Chris, you are the best! Now it is time for me to get back on the bicycle and attempt to reach my bicycling goal. Did I mention to you that it was fun seeing your sister, Marlene? I think it may have been at the Evergreen fundraiser. As you may recall, I copied a photo of you two and made a print when we were at Evergreen. Thanks again.”
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Chris Meserve
“You need to be #1 in the state! Go!”
$258.75Received this donation 60 days ago
Robert
“Chris, you are the VERY best! Thanks for your generous second donation, which gets me in striking distance to reach my $4,000 goal and 1st in Washington. I need a mere $448 to reach my goal and $2300 to be #1 in Washington. Time to up my mileage so that my sponsors will up their contributions! Thanks, my friend.”
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Craig Partridge
“You've shown you can do amazing things, so this challenge will be just a journey to the successful conclusion.”
$258.75Received this donation 76 days ago
Robert
“Thank you, Craig, you are the best! Now I need to get back on the bicycle to meet my fundraising goal. My schedule has lightened up and I will have time to go for a hike in the next several weeks. Are you available? Thanks again. Bob”
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Edie Harding
“Go Bob!”
$250Received this donation 76 days ago
Robert
“Thanks, Edie, you are the best! Now I need to get back on that darn bicycle and make my bicycle goal. Quite a bit of drama in the Upthegrove race, eh? Thanks again. Bob”
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Colta Ives
$124.20Received this donation 76 days ago
Robert
“Thank you, Colta, I appreciate it very much. I hope you, John, and Lucy are doing well. Kathleen has moved from Algeria back to Washington DC and I hope to visit her and the grandkids this fall and winter. Bob”
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Myra Downing
“Bob, you are an inspiration. Thank you for doing this.”
$124.20Received this donation 71 days ago
Robert
“Myra, thanks! You, too, are an inspiration. I love your positive energy and smile. Thanks again. Bob.”
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Sam Chandler
$124.20Received this donation 59 days ago
Robert
“Thank you, Sam. With your donation, I am within reach of my $4,000 goal and on my way to the podium! Are you still feeling hopeful? Thanks again. Bob”
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Barbara Llewelyn-Butts
“You are the very best!”
$103.50Received this donation 57 days ago
Robert
“Thanks, Barbara. We have much to be thankful for in the advances in childhood cancer treatments in the past 30 years!”
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Jeanne Harmon
$103.50Received this donation 76 days ago
Robert
“Thanks, Jeanne. I just went for another 25-mile ride and am home inhaling ibuprofen and plan to take a long nap this afternoon . Send Mark my best. Thanks again.”
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Melissa Gombosky
“Best of luck! This is inspiring.”
$103.50Received this donation 63 days ago
Robert
“Thank you, Melissa! Your generous contribution helps me get to my financial goal. Now I just need to ride 45 miles in the next week or so. Thanks again.”
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Ed Alkire
“Bob, We were not aware of your daughter's fight with cancer years ago. So glad her battle was successful and am sure your fundraising helps others. Ed”
$100Received this donation 58 days ago
Robert
“Thank you, Ed! Yes, it was a stressful time, but I took up running to deal with the stress and I'm still getting regular exercise as a result (although my running days are over). Thanks again!”
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Melissa Beard
$100Received this donation 76 days ago
Robert
“Thank you, my friend. I really appreciate it. I will see if I can convince Jessica to go for a ride with me past your house. Perhaps we can come in for a drink of water. Thanks much. Bob”
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Debra Clemens
$72.45Received this donation 76 days ago
Robert
“Thanks, Deb, I really appreciate it. I am thinking this will be great training for the Medford ride in early October. I look forward to seeing you and Jeff and your gaggle of friends. Thanks again. Bob”
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Jack & Janie Daray
$72.45Received this donation 63 days ago
Robert
“Thanks, Jack. Let's get another lunch on our calendars in the weeks ahead!”
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Jody McCrain
“Good Luck on the ride Bob.”
$72.45Received this donation 57 days ago
Robert
“Thanks, Jody. It's good to hear from you. I hope all is well. Jessica is an important motivator and all is good. Bob”
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Kathe Taylor
“Thanks for trying to make a difference!”
$72.45Received this donation 54 days ago
Robert
“Thanks, Kathe. It has been fun to do and has gotten me on my bike. I hope you and Bill are enjoying retirement. Bob”
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Lisa Parshley
$72.45Received this donation 73 days ago
Robert
“Thank you, Lisa. You have my vote in the upcoming election!”
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Michael Vavrus
$72.45Received this donation 62 days ago
Robert
“Thank you, Michael. Your daughter is the inspiration I have needed to go the extra miles. She is fabulous! Bob”