i apologize to you all

[topshelf]

it l;ooks as if i may not be on the podium in austin .. i just concluded my fundraising .. and i finished with a total of $123,207 wich i am very very proud of .. but i just foiund out that the deadline was 9 am this morning ..i believed it to be 5pm .. so i finished in 2nd place although i have raised the most money ... so i will not be able to wear the tc tshirt on the stage .. but i can still get lance to sign it if thats what you gusy want . just let me know.. i planned on bringing a marker on stage and having him sign it while it was on my back .

[Kev332]

No worries Topshelf! Great Job with the Fund Raising! Thats an incredible amount you've raised. I think it would be great if Lance was able to sign the shirt.....

-Kevin

[IowaBrian]

Not a darn thing to say your sorry for you did something that most of us can only dream about in getting that much money for the cause.
GREAT JOB!!!!!
Brian

[topshelf]

when i go to the autograph session i will have him sign the shirt ... front or on the back?..

[Karen]

topshelf,
your fundraising is amazing...not a darn thing to apologize for!

My vote on the Lance signature is on the back. In this he is an equal. I greatly admire and respect what he's done for cancer awareness, and would never take anything away from that. But I could name a few guys here who fought tougher odds without the money and name and influence. Some had no insurance and had responsibities for a wife and kids and holding a job to provide for the aforementioned....they are my heros in this fight.

[dadmo]

topshelf:
You apologize to us? In two years you alone have raised around 250K, that is a topshelf number if I ever saw one. From the bottom of my heart I thank you. I am the parent of a cancer survivor and your efforts on my son’s behalf may in the future save his life, don’t ever feel as if you have let me down. I am proud to be able to call you a friend. Truthfully it will be nice to have Lance sign the shirt but you are more important to me then he is.

[Chris'Mom]

Topshelf: My son Chris and I also say thanks for all you have accomplished.....Mary Ellen

[Kman99]

I guess I don't understand how raising the most $ puts you in 2nd place. But, I know what you're feeling and can understand your disappointment. For a time, I was leading the Dana Farber team in money raised for the Boston Marathon. Which, by the way was 1/3 of what you raised, but during the fundraising and training process, I had a sense of pride about trying to stay in the lead and it kept me motivated to tell my story. Like you, I retained that lead almost up until race day, when I was finally surpassed by a few others. One thing I never felt was sorrow and neither should you! Competitive spirit aside, as the others have said, you've done an incredibly good thing and should be VERY proud! So, take out your disappointment on your bike and the race in Austin...your apology is far from necessary and it will fall on deaf ears here. Your contributions, efforts and passion are immeasureable and play a big part in the goal to finding a cure someday!!

All the best in Austin and beyond!!!!

[topshelf]

thank you all ..i am very very amazed ..and proud and actually the money is still coming in i should be over $125,000 by saturdays awards dinner ... i am upset that i will not be wearing the t-shirt with all your signatures on the podium and mentioning this forum ... this forum is very important to me and im sure to all of youand where better to show it off and mention than on the big stage in austin .. and thank you all for the kind words . the actually winner currently has 123,000 .i dont understand teh politics of it all but my main gooal iwas to get john otoole on stage ..and after a bit of bitching and arguing the laf promised me they would recognize john with a special award and have him speak .. so i am ok wuith that .. and those of you that were in philly that saw and met john know that he deserves this.

[jdunn]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[Scott]

You're an incredible winner, and there is no reason in the world to apologize. Thanks for getting the T-shirt signed by Lance. We need to get a photo of it afterward to post again. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

[dadmo]

Topshelf:
How is John doing? My offer to work with him still stands.

[topshelf]

i plan on playing golf and not riding ...i am qualified for yellow jersey .. and i just checked with the LAF so scott if would like you can ride with lance in my place .. just let me know

[Lori]

Topshelf, thank you for all you've done! Have a wonderful time in Austin and be oh so proud of what you've accomplished!

[Rune]

Just wanted to chime in and thank you as well for all you've done, topshelf!