OCTOBER WAS BUSY

October has been an exciting and interesting month. First, let’s talk about the obvious thing so you understand my feelings about the news that has been on every news channel around the world...LANCE ARMSTRONG! I have my personal feelings about Lance and you may or may not share the same feelings but those feelings. The news was about him as a cyclist and the choices he may have made or did not make. I don’t know what happened. I wasn’t there and I don’t truly understand the pressures of having to compete at that level and what’s asked of you everyday. What I do understand is that he IS a cancer survivor! He and his foundation have made a difference in the lives of millions around the world. I will always proudly wear my yellow wristband until there is no longer a need because cancer has been cured. I will continue to support LIVESTRONG as they help those affected by cancer, their families and friends. I hope you will join me! I have included a video, set to music, so you can see what LIVESTRONG has done for millions since it began http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tENdDtkJX5E&feature=youtu.be.

Now, for the Luke’s 5-Line Ride...it was an amazing event! Our biggest hurdle was the weather which we couldn’t control. We woke up Saturday morning to bitter cold, rain and fog. Although the weather was crummy the spirit of our riders couldn’t be dampened. We went out, did the best we could to stay warm and dry and had a blast doing it! The community support was amazing, especially Felt Schools. They moved their Power Stop to their basketball gym and we were greeted by a cheering crowd and Felt cheerleaders. The gym was all decorated and we had a nice warm, dry place to eat some lunch, then get back on the road! After the ride, we had a great time back at camp with music by The Dizzy Pickers, a fabulous meal and some even enjoyed the beer donated by Black Mesa Brewing Co. We all had a super time! We are already planning for next year and are seeking a corporate sponsor so we can even make it even bigger!

During the concert by The Dizzy Pickers we drew the name of our raffle winner, John Otjen! Congratulations to John on winning the Trek LIVESTRONG FX! He told us he was giving it to his mom to help her with the rehab of her recent knee surgery! I know she’ll love it!

Luke & John

 As you know, my goal this year was to raise $20,000. I didn’t reach that goal but was still really happy to have raised $10,114! I have now raised over $21,000 in the past three years for LIVESTRONG. I also qualified for the Ride for the Roses for the second year in a row. I participated in that event this past weekend in Austin. It was a blast to see all my LIVESTRONG friends I have met over Twitter, Facebook and last year Challenge. We attended the 15 year LIVESTRONG Gala on Friday night, dinner at Lance Armstrong’s on Saturday and then rode 65 miles on Sunday! When I crossed the finish line I hugged my mom and told her that I did this for Poppy! I actually put so many names this year on the LIVESTRONG Tribute Wall and I rode carrying all of them with me! I was honored to be able to ride side-by-side with many survivors as well as those, who like me, had lost someone they loved or honoring those still in the middle of the fight! This is what LIVESTRONG is about...community, family, support!

Brad, Jennifer, mom & me

Lance & Luke 2012

Caner Warriors Scott Joy, Steve Bartolucci, me & Brad Didier

 If you get a chance go to our website and see our picture gallery from our ride http://lukes5line.com.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me in 2012 or in the past. I will continue to fight for those who are in need! The funds I raised will be used to help support LIVESTRONG services. These services include, but are not limited to, call-in cancer information line, survivorship planning tools, alliance of young adult cancer organizations, LIVESTRONG at School program, and now, an on-site patient navigation service (walk-in, for under-served and those without insurance), information classes and webinars, so thank you as you are truly part of making a difference in people’s lives.

I hope I can count on your continued support in 2013!

WEBSITE LAUNCHED

Please check out our new website for the Luke's 5-Line for the most up-to-date ride information!! You'll find: What's Included, Routes, Photos, etc.

www.lukes5line.com

Wanna Ride? Here's How!

Want to do the Luke's 5-Line Ride but only have $50? Trying to think of a way to come up with the funds so you can participate?? SUGGESTIONS below:

Host a charity garage sale...get rid of your stuff and earn enough to come ride with us! (We just made over $600 at ours) Your house or garage will be cleaner! WIN-WIN

Ask 8 of your friends to sponsor you at $25 each.

Don't have 8 friends then ...let's go for 4 friends at $50 each....OR maybe a bunch of people for just small amounts like we've listed below:

42 mile = $4.77 per mile
95 mile = $2.11 per mile
122 mile = $1.64 per mile

See if your local bike shop, bicycling club or boss would sponsor you.

Your participation in this event WILL HELP THE 28 MILLION LIVING WITH CANCER!! Remember: online registration ONLY closes 9/6/2012

We hope to see you in Black Mesa, OK!

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT

UPDATE (8/1/12)

Please check out our new website for the Luke's 5-Line to get the most up-to-date ride information!! You'll find: What's Included, Routes, Photos, etc.

www.lukes5line.com

It's the ride of a lifetime

5-7 October 2012!

Black Mesa, Oklahoma

Calling all cyclists - from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado:

 

Here's the plan:

100 riders ... 100+ miles ... 5 states ... all in one day.

The distances you can choose are: 20, 40, 95 or 120!  Join us for this epic event! 

 

BLACK MESA OR BUST!! 

 

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

    

THE RACE IS ON!

H.E.L.P.

Hope. Empower. Love. Provide.

I have started my 2012 fundraising efforts to STOP cancer! Last year inspired me to do even more after being with 1000’s of survivors, cancer fighters and meeting my hero Lance Armstrong. I know one person can make a difference for millions. I’m a 14-year-old cyclist, I want to H.E.L.P. STOP cancer and make a difference in the lives of MILLIONS. 

Can you GIVE H.E.L.P.?

http://laf.livestrong.org/goto/lukeisthebikeman

LIVESTRONG,

Luke

LIVESTRONG CHALLENGE-RIDE FOR THE ROSES-2011

amazing:
astonishing, astounding, awesome, awful, eye-opening, fabulous, miraculous, portentous, prodigious, staggering, stunning, stupendous, sublime, surprising, wonderful, wondrous, blindsiding, dumbfounding, eye-opening, flabbergasting, jarring, jaw-dropping, jolting, shocking, startling, stunning, stupefying

inspiring:
breathtaking, charged, electric, electrifying, exhilarating, galvanic, galvanizing, hair-raising, heart-stopping, inspiring, intoxicating, kicky, mind-bending, mind-blowing, mind-boggling, rip-roaring, rousing, stimulating, stirring, thrilling

I bet you can tell how my LIVESTRONG weekend went by just the list of adjectives above and still I don't think they fully describe how I felt at this year's LIVESTRONG Challenge. I have to say I really didn't think last year could have been topped but was I wrong. The only bad part was I had just gotten my braces plus my palate expander and my mouth was so sore. Oh well, I still had an incredible time!

I am still in shock at having raised over $10,000 for LIVESTRONG and qualifying for Ride for the Roses. I know that may not sound like a lot if you are a big time fundraiser. But, I just turned 14 years old and last year I only raised close to a $1,000 so this was BIG for me!! I just can't tell you how PERFECT this weekend was for a boy whose passions are CYCLING and LIVESTRONG. Keep reading and you'll find out why!

First, I need to say "Thank you, thank you, thank you" to everyone who helped me reach my goal!!! I raised $10,112 for LIVESTRONG and I was so excited!! I wanted to give you a glimpse at my AMAZING LIVESTRONG weekend you all helped me be able to experience.

We got to Austin on Thursday night really late and could hardly wait for Friday. Friday started with us going to the Ride for the Roses registration and I got jerseys, posters, jacket, bib numbers and so much more. We met our friends, Brad and Jennifer, I met them on Twitter. It was like we had been friends forever. Next, mom and I checked our bikes in with Fred the head mechanic. Mom needed her fit worked on and he got her all fixed up. Then, he took our bikes to store them where they would be cared for by some top folks. Next, we went down to the LIVESTRONG village at Mellow Johnny’s. Mellow Johnny’s is the bike shop that Lance Armstrong owns! It is such a cool place! It has all kinds of awesome bike stuff and you’ve got to see the 7 Yellow Jerseys hanging on the walls from his Tour de France wins. The village had all kinds of booths to check out. We picked up my dad’s registration stuff and met another friend from Twitter, Mrs. Flanagan. I couldn’t believe it! I even saw my friend, Mr. Hesketh, who checked me in last year and gave me my first LIVESTRONG jersey! It was starting out to be such a great day! I have to admit I was a little overwhelmed! We had to hurry back to the hotel so we could catch the bus for our tour of the LIVESTRONG Headquarters. WOW...it was full of amazing art, it’s a green building with lots of recycled materials and I loved it! Next, we met Mister Cartoon (Mark Machado) he is a tattoo and graffiti artist and he painted a fantastic mural on the outside wall at headquarters. His work has been used by Nike, Toyota and others. We got to watch him sign his artwork and then he autographed our limited edition posters he designed for the Ride for the Roses participants! Now, it was time to rush back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. The only thing we knew was dinner would be outside and we needed to dress appropriately...really it meant mom shouldn’t wear high heel shoes...LOL!

OCC LIVESTRONG motorcycle-gas tank looks like a TT helmet!

Brad & me in front of Mister Cartoon's mural on the side of LS headquarters

Mister Cartoon & me

We boarded the bus and headed to dinner. I was having a great time with all my new friends and the weekend was just getting started. Chris Brewer, a Sr. Manager for LIVESTRONG, was the host of our bus. He said, “I think I can now tell you that we are headed to LANCE ARMSTRONG’S house for dinner!” I thought my eyes would pop out of my head! I was so shocked! Well, needless to say, it was AWESOME!! I met Chris Horner and Ben King (both are riders on Team Radioshack), my friend Annemieke from the Netherlands, Ryan O’Donoghue my bud at LIVESTRONG plus so many others and OF COURSE...LANCE ARMSTRONG! I just have to say I was shaking all over I was so nervous and excited! Mom took our picture and you can tell I was in shock! This is funny...all I could think to say to him was “you are my hero”! It was the most PERFECT night EVER!!!

Mom, me, Brad & Jennifer in front of Lance Armstrong's

Chris Brewer in LA's LR

LA's backyard

Mrs. Flanagans & me

Chris Horner & me

Ryan O'Donoghue, me & Amy with GOOGLE

Annemieke, Jennifer & mom

Me & LANCE ARMSTRONG

 Saturday morning we went on a fun Photo Op ride with Stephanie from Mellow Johnny’s. We saw some really neat areas of Austin, took pictures and learned a little about Austin history. We even saw some protesters! Saturday evening was the Appreciation Dinner and this one my whole family was able to attend. I was really glad to have my mom, dad and Grams with me! This dinner was held outside at LIVESTRONG Headquarters. OK...you won’t believe this...Doug Ulman, the CEO of LIVESTRONG, got up to talk. There were about 700 people at this event. Alright, so Mr. Ulman is up on the stage talking about LIVESTRONG and all the programs the money we raised would help fund. Then, he said “there’s one person I really want to recognize tonight...LUKE NEAFUS where are you?” I couldn’t believe it! All of these people were looking at me, he starts talking about my cycling and all my fundraising. He even said I was part of the future of LIVESTRONG! I was shaking all over AGAIN! WOW...I was totally shocked! It was another PERFECT night!

me & dad

 

family pic

 

Guess who?

Sunday was the ride and it started with a 4:30 am wake up call! This bus ride was pretty quite! We had breakfast, got our bikes and then got lined up to start the ride. Lance addressed the crowd of over 2300 cyclists. I was ready to get going...I felt charged! It was a very cool morning but as we rode the day became perfect. I rode 45 miles with my friends, Brad, Jennifer, Mike and Stephanie (the lady from Mellow Johnny’s). I challenged everyone to hill sprints all day long! I had so much fun! True joy! This was the longest ride I have ever done but I felt great at the end...I will go further next year for sure! My Grams was waiting at the finish line and it was the PERFECT way to end this journey!

 

My biggest honor of the whole trip was to ride with the names of many on my back! I rode strong for ALL OF them! I wanted to make them all PROUD! After the ride I posted their names on the LIVESTRONG Tribute Wall! I rode for the following: Poppy, Scott Raffe, Alex Teruki, Mrs. Myers, Janis, Alice, Jeff, Chad Kavanaugh, Andie Ersman, Christopher Parks, Susan Ringer, Ronnie Slawson, Granddad, Charlene Mattingly, Lonnie, Shorty Thurman, David Copeland, Don Cook, Ida Yeager, Grandma Pettit, John M and John Calhoun! I WILL NEVER FORGET the way these Angels, Warriors and Survivors gave me strength!

November is known as MOvember! This is when men start with a clean shaven face and grow a moustache throughout the month to raise awareness and start conversations about men specific cancers. Early detection is key! So, men let’s grow a MO and not be afraid to talk to our dad, our sons, friends and co-workers about prostate and other male cancers. Come on men the test can be as easy as getting some blood drawn and early detection is key! Let’s spread the word!

I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season and next year...I think I’m going to try and raise $20,000! I’ve set a goal to HELP STOP CANCER! I hope I can count on you next year!


LIVESTRONG

MY MISSION

I'm 13 years old & on a MISSION TO STOP CANCER

I started racing bicycles in March 2010 and I started taking action against cancer in August of the same year. I wanted to be like my hero Lance Armstrong. He's my hero because of what he has done on a bike but more importantly for what he's done for the 28 million living with cancer. He gave people with cancer and their families a face of HOPE. When I heard my Poppy had cancer I was scared but I had HOPE. Although, my Poppy lost his fight I will never quit fighting to help others. The money I raise will help fund cancer research, help increase cancer survivorship, raise awareness through education and help fight cancer at a global level. I am really sad right now because we have lost two more great men to cancer. My aunt's brother-in-law, John Mendenhall, passed away last night. He was a solider in our military and had fought to keep us free. Then, he had to keep fighting. He fought bravely but sadly lost the latest battle to cancer. I am really sad for  my aunt's sister (John's wife); they had only been married one year. And, of course, his daughter. And, then, on July 4th we lost Scott Raffe to pancreatic cancer. He was an internationally renowned photographer. You should check out some of his photographs. They are amazing! http://www.raffephoto.com/raffe.html http://www.circusflora.org/photos/albums/2/ These men will be missed by their families and friends. I will be riding 45 miles in the Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge. I am riding for Survivors, Warriors and Angels. I might only be 13 years old but I will never quit cycling and using my bike to help others! I hope you can help me reach my goal! I will add your family member, loved one, or friend to my jersey with your donation. Click Here to make a donation for my ride in October! Thank you! LIVESTRONG TRIBUTE WALL: Survivors: Chad K Andie E Warriors: Angels: My Poppy Ronnie S Ida Y Scott R John M Shorty T John C

What An Honor!

I was very shocked and very honored when I got word that I was the 200th hero at Kids Are Heroes! If you get a minute please check it out! Lots of kids doing really amazing things! It's great to read such good stories! One person can make a difference! If you would like to help me reach my LIVESTRONG goal your donation will really help the 28 MILLION with CANCER! Then, let me know who you want me to ride for Survivor, Warrior or Angel and I will add them to my LIVESTRONG page as well as my jersey in Austin. AND, my collection bucket has reappeared...this time at the NEW Sun & Ski Sports in Norman, OK. So, if you are there please stop by the bike counter and make a donation and tell Rob (the bike manager) hello! Thank you!

http://www.kidsareheroes.org/lily.php

http://austin2011.livestrong.org/lukeisthebikeman

****AUCTION**** UPDATE

I want to apologize that I haven't started the auction when I promised it would have started by now. We all know things happen and unfortunately the artist had to leave town before I could get the canvas. I don't want to start the auction until I can post a picture of what you will be bidding on! I can just tell you it will be AWESOME!

Here's a clue:

Question:    Do you love LIVESTRONG?

Answer:       YES!   (Then, you'll love this)

Disclaimer

This event is hosted by a LIVESTRONG fundraiser to raise funds for LIVESTRONG. This is not an official LIVESTRONG-hosted event, but all proceeds benefit LIVESTRONG.

****AUCTION****

HOSTING AN AUCTION FOR A LIVESTRONG CANVAS STARTING NEXT WEEK!!! PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR ALL THE DETAILS! http://bit.ly/ga4nb4

LIVESTRONG 2011 UPDATE

I started my 2011 LIVESTRONG journey by sending out a bunch of letters and emails. I posted to my blog and signed up on Twitter. OMG...things have really been happening! I have already received many donations and it's been great to hear from so many people! One person I was very excited to hear from was a gentleman I met at last year's LIVESTRONG Challenge! We became buddies and this year he made a donation via my fundraising page. I was so excited to later receive an email from him telling me more awesome news...he works for a company who is matching his donation! I can't tell you how excited I was when I read this news and to know we are going to see each other again this year! It has been so fun watching my LIVESTRONG themometer going up and up! 

I also made a donation bucket and put it at the bicycle shop, Buchanan Bicycles, who is a sponsor of my racing team!  So, if you happen to be in Buchanan Bicycles be sure to drop your change or a dollar or ten in my bucket!

 Ok, I told you I started a Twitter page and I have met so many really neat LIVESTRONGers! I have even met a couple who were married last year in Dripping Springs, TX the weekend of LIVESTRONG 2010. Their names are Brad and Jennifer! Brad even sent me a picture of their surprise wedding cake! Check it out! We've decided we are going to meet this year in Austin! It will be lots of fun!

There is also this really neat guy, Dylan Trakas, who works for LIVESTRONG. He and I were emailing each other as he was helping me with some questions I had. I felt really special when the other day I got the mail and there was a handwritten note from Dylan! He has been really helpful! Thanks Dylan! I hope we get to meet in Austin! 

I know I set a much bigger goal this year over last year but I really feel like I can reach it! My Poppy always told me I could do anything I really wanted and this is something I really want to do! HELPING OTHERS ROCKS! Poppy, I am going to do it! OK...so drumroll please...I have raised...wait for it...$1, 640 (including the matching gift that hasn't posted yet)!!! I am really excited! I still have many different types of fundraisers planned so I'm really feeling confident that I can reach my goal! It takes all of us working together to help defeat cancer! I even saw a show today on how nano technology may one day help attack and destroy cancer! It takes research and your donation helps! If you can help please click here to go to my fundraising page! Thank you for all you do!

PASSIONS

I have two passions! Cycling and LIVESTRONG!

If you read my blog enough you probably know this but if you don't well...I'm a 13 year old competitive Jr. cyclist. I believe in going fast and giving back!

I need your help! I am raising money again this year so I can participate in the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Austin, TX! This became my non-profit of choice because I lost one of my best friends to prostate cancer and Lance Armstrong is one of my heroes. My Poppy was an awesome grandfather! He was also a father, a husband, a brother, a friend, an awesome golfer (he shot a 70 on his 70th birthday) and one of my best buddies. Unfortunately, he didn't get diagnosed soon enough and passed away in November 2007. It was the saddest day of my life!

I put on my yellow LIVESTRONG bracelet and have never taken it off! I am raising money to continue the fight Poppy lost! I don't want anybody else to lose someone they love like I did. It hurts really bad! If we all pull together we can be sure others get the help they need. You never know it could be you who needs the help! Please give what you can...because every $1 helps. Click here to visit my fundraising website or print off a donation form. Please write my PARTICIPANT ID #297759208 on the check. All donations must have a form attached. I want to thank you for doing whatever you can to help me reach my goal of $5,000. Together we can all LIVESTRONG!