Dave Wilson's 70-70-70 Ride

This summer, Dave Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of GMAC, will be participating in his twelfth ride with the LiveStrong Challenge as part of TeamMBA. Find out how you can join him or find an activity of your own to promote the goodwill of the MBA.

  
On June 24th, I will turn 70.  They have been seven decades of great good fortune in part, because I have never had to battle with that insidiously dirty fighter cancer. And though both my mother and grandmother had to battle cancer, they both brought it to its knees and lived full lives for more than a decade after their diagnosis. Too many of my friends, however, have not had that same comfortable path.

When I hop on my bike in Philadelphia on Sunday August 21, 2011, it will be the twelfth ride I will have made for the Lance Armstrong Foundation as a part of TeamMBA.  Over the years, TeamMBA has raised over $400,000. Last year, for the second time in the past three years, I was fortunate enough to be the top fundraiser in Philly.  This video was presented to the LiveStrong banquet that preceded the ride.

My prior rides have been dedicated to friends who were battling cancer; Luke, Ron, Lude, Linda, Buggins, Piggy, Bob, Kristy, Irene, AJ, Claes.  This year I will be riding for another hero who today is picking a fight with Stage Three breast cancer and kicking its sorry butt.  Rona Fairhead is a wonderful friend and colleague.  She is also one great mom and wife.  And to show her all out commitment to fighting breast cancer, even the newspaper she runs is printed on pink paper.

Dave Wilson at the 2010 LiveStrong Challenge in Philadelphia

My ride this year is a very special one.  It will be Dave’s 70-70-70 Ride.  I will be 70 years old; I will ride 70 miles; and I will raise $70,000. Reaching Schneider Hill at mile 52 will bring forth audible expletives (it always has).  But I will climb that hill and finish the 70miles.  If Rona can fight through surgery, chemo and radiation, I can climb that damn hill.

Now here is my challenge to you.  I invite you to join me in Philadelphia for the first leg of my 70-70-70 challenge, either as a rider on Sunday August 21st or as a runner or walker in the 5K or 10K on Saturday the 20th. I’ll look forward to seeing you there.

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