Tom Reifsnyder, a long time friend of mine (Eric), will be competing in the High Cliff Half Ironman in Appleton, Wisconsin this coming Saturday, June 18th 2011 starting at 7:00am.  Tom has committed to competing in this event, because cancer has touched his life in a very very personal manner.  About 15 years ago, Tom lost his mother to cancer.  Below is a quote from Tom himself.

“May 10th will mark the 15th anniversary of the death of Susan Kuzniewski Reifsnyder. On that day it will mark 5,478 days since her passing from breast cancer. In her honor we will raise $5,478 dollars and donate it to L.I.F.E.  I, Tom Reifsnyder, will be participating in a Half Ironman on June 18th near Appleton WI and will personally donate one dollar for every minute it takes me to complete the race.  Other than my mother, Eric McLean is the closest person I know who has been affected by cancer, who just beat cancer for the forth time.”

Tom joined up with Team L.I.F.E. earlier this year while he was in the NAVY.  Tom went to school with me at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where we began our lifelong friendship.  Very soon from now, Tom will be deployed to Japan for duty for the next 3-5 years.  But before he leaves, he’s going to race 70.3 miles for our cause.  He has trained hard while in the military and will be sporting some L.I.F.E. race apparel during the race.  If anyone reading this is going to watch the race this weekend, please keep an eye out for Tom on the course and give him a good cheer or two.  Needless to say, he will be wearing orange.  It’s his first race and I am sure he would really appreciate the encouragement.