CHALLENGE: Cancer Sucks November

The following post is from our Sales & Marketing Manager, Matt Hensley. (And yes, the challenge is accepted!)

Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way. I recently lost one of my best friends, Nathan Bowerman, to a rare form of kidney cancer. He was only 29 years old. Nathan was one of my biggest supporters in chasing down my running dreams. He always said if we kept cancer research a priority it would hopefully save his life and if not his someone else diagnosed in the future. The Ice Bucket Challenge brought direct benefits to ALS research and reminded us all that we can make a difference. To honor him and continue bringing attention to a great cause I'm starting the Rivalry Challenge for the month of November. To participate take a photo, video or do anything that symbolizes your greatest rival. The rival could be a school, sports team, company, political party or anything that is truly a challenge to do. Then pledge to make a donation to a cancer cause that is close to your heart if three friends you challenge can rise to the occasion. So here we go! I'm a Florida Gator and have never worn anything FSU in my life...hopefully never again! For Nate I'm going to wear his FSU singlet for the New York City Marathon on Sunday. I'm pledging to make a donation to the Mayo Clinic (Nate's clinic) for oncology research if his father Dave Bowerman, my boss Jeremy Nelson and my fiancé Laura Thweatt rise to the occasion for the Rivalry Challenge. Best of luck guys!!! - Matt

Matt will be participating in this year's New York City Marathon as an elite runner. We know how much Matt is a die hard Florida Gator fan for life - so representing FSU at the NYC Marathon must be hard! More about Nathan Bowerman's recent passing: http://www.tcpalm.com/story/sports/high-school/cross-country/2016/10/13/nathan-bowerman-remembered-family-and-friends/92009682/ More about the Mayo Clinic oncology research: http://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/oncology/home/orc-20198222 UPDATE 11/10/16 No Lost Bet, Just a Best Friends Promise Fulfilled Matt completed the NYC Marathon in 2:28 and 34th place. It was far from his goals but an effort his good friend Nate, who recently passed away from cancer, would be proud of. As a University of Florida Gator alum Matt completed the 26.2 mile distance in a rival FSU jersey (Nate's alum) to honor his friend and fulfill his promise to keep cancer research a priority. Dave Bowerman, Jeremy Nelson and Laura Thweatt have all accepted Matt's Rivalry Challenge so expect some pride to be swallowed and Matt to make a donation to the Mayo Clinic (Nate's Clinic) for oncology research. If you'd like to participate take a photo, video or do anything that symbolizes your greatest rival. The rival could be a school, sports team, company, or anything that is truly a challenge to do. Then pledge to make a donation to a cancer cause that is close to your heart if three friends you challenge can rise to the occasion. Let's not give up in this fight or watch from the sideline. Chances are someone you know is fighting this battle now or will in the future. They need our collective help and they need it to be a priority. Rise to the Challenge. #RivalryChallenge