Apr 10, 2019

 by Bryan Preston

I remember my parents sitting us down and telling my brothers, sister and I that my father had cancer. It was like getting blind sided by a train. My father didn’t drink, smoke or really have any major unhealthy vices for the most part. It just didn’t make sense. The bigger blow was that when he was diagnosed, he was only given about 6 months to live.

My father fought cancer for 4 years, and at one point was doing well. Most people wouldn’t even had known he had cancer. He earned his 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, he even competed in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament.

I watched my father go through something that no one should ever have to go through. I watched him show courage when most people would want to give up. Even though he was in pain, he stayed positive and tried to help others. He touched some many lives and will forever be missed.

In 2004 my father passed away from cancer. This was one of the hardest times in my life, my father was 53 years old. 53, way too young for anyone, for any reason to pass away. At 25 years old, I had lost my father.

In 2005, I found a way to honor my father and his memory. Even more, help others who have been affected by cancer like my family was. I decided to captain a team for the Relay For Life and walk for 24 hours around the Lenape track without stopping. We registered over 80 team members and raised over $15,000. The support was overwhelming, and it was amazing how many people wanted to help.

Walking for 24 hours was one of the hardest things I have done. It was mentally, physically and emotionally challenging, but my team was there and helped me throughout the day and night. There were moments when I wanted to stop but I kept telling myself one thing, if my father could fight cancer and battle through everything he went through, I could keep walking. Since 2005, I have walked 24 hours 5 more times and will be doing it again this year with your support.

However, this year is different than any other year so far. On Memorial Day weekend, I will be running 100 miles in 48 hours in Brandon, VT. I will be teaming up with Attempt It All Foundation and raising money to help everyday people overcome the many challenges they face in their lives and help them continue to do amazing things. Attempt It All has also helped raise money to benefit Warrior 360. The mission of Warrior 360 is to support the needs and promote the welfare of the United States Military service members, their families and all others whose service to public safety, generally place the welfare of others before their own.

Memorial Day weekend is the week before the Relay For Life. So, I am going to complete 100 miles in 48 hours in the mountains of Vermont, and then the following weekend walk for 24 hours without stopping. This is a way, for me, to honor my father’s memory and help others.

This is what I’m asking from you. I’d like to ask anyone who is making a donation, to please do so to both charities. I know this is a lot to ask but I need your help to do this. So, this is what I ask, instead of making one bigger donation, donate $10 to each donation. $20 total, if you want or can donate more it is always greatly appreciated. If everyone donates $20, we can help so many people and it will inspire me to keep going.

Below are the links for each charity. I thank you for taking the time to read this and any donation that you can make. I truly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Attempt It All Foundation- InFinitus (The Endurance Society)

http://attempt-it-allfoundation.org/give/bryan-preston-infinitus/

Tony’s Team- Marlton Relay For Life

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/fortonyteam