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Recently two special people from opposite sides of San Diego county succumbed to heroic fights with the devasting disease of brain cancer. Both victims were close to two San Diegans committed to raising money for the families of these victims and brain cancer treatment. Let me tell you how Chaco Clotfelter and Rachel Cummings got involved with wanting to give back while pursuing their own physical challenge.
Sadly an associate of Chaco Clotfelter, named Bill Thompson, recently lost his wife Cecilia to brain cancer, leaving Bill as a single parent to raise two sets of twins in their home in Santee. Chaco and his brother Cutter have worked will Bill for many years and respected him not only for his hard work in the field inspecting homes for clients but in his dedication to raising, not one, but two sets of twins. When the Clotfelters heard the news that Cecilia had passed away , they were devastated. It was at that time that they knew they needed to do something to help the Thompson Family.
More recently Rachel Cumming's best friend's father passed away after a year long fight with brain cancer. Wayne Roundtree survived numerous surgeries and treatments and never gave up on his battle with the devastating disease. Although the stastics offered less than a 5% chance of survival, Wayne never doubted his ability to overcome the odds. Sadly, Wayne lost his fight in early 2007. Rachel was inspired by Wayne's bravery as he fought the cancer and his lifelong dedication to his wife and family.
Chaco Clotfelter and his girlfriend Rachel Cummings were looking for a way to challenge themselves physically and to raise money for a cause that was dear to both of them. After doing some research on brain cancer foundations, Chaco and Rachel connected with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. After getting to know the director of the foundation, Chaco and Rachel gladly joined Team Duke to help raise money for brain cancer treatment as well as inspire other individuals to pursue more than the goal of finishing an endurance event, but to utilize their goal to raise money and finish the race for a noble cause. "Team Duke" accomplishes exactly what we wanted to do ourselves, raise funds and awareness for those in need but in a format that makes it easy to attract donations from friends, family, and associates.
Rachel was a competitive high-school swimmer and swam recreationally in college. Chaco had competed in a number of endurance events throughout his tour of duty as an officer in charge of an elite Marine Corps Special Forces Recon unit and last summer completed the grueling 32-mile Catalina Classic paddleboard race. When Rachel decided she wanted to do a triathlon, Chaco said "well why don't you do 'the triathlon?' The triathlon was of course the notorious Ironman Triathlon (swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 run and 26 miles). Chaco and Rachel loved the idea of spending so much time outside but the challenge of training coupled with work and other volunteer obligations has ensured that every day is planned down to the hour and any freetime is spent pounding the pavement or swimming laps. Chaco equates training for the Ironman with an old Marine adage...'the more you sweat during peacetime, the less you bleed during war.' "We are certainly thankful that we will not be bleeding out there but it might feel like it come mile 20 of the marathon after 10-13 hours on the road."
After getting over New Year's colds, Rachel and Chaco have hit the pavement with a renewed sense of motivation that only fundraisers can create. "At the end of the day, we realize that people's hard-earned money will be going towards supporting a cause that we really believe in and with their commitment in us we have made a commitment to them...to dig deeper out on that race course when we think that we've hit the bottom." "Not finishing is not an option that we will consider, unless we are injured beyond the point of repair, we can be counted on to keep our heads down, follow-through, and push through the pain and fatigue that will no doubt be present."
Chaco forwards his calls to brother Cutter as he and Rachel can be seen running or cycling along PCH for hours each Saturday and Sunday sweating it up with the mission of raising money for two very important people. "Racing for a greater cause than oneself really pushes you emotionally and that is the benefit of "fundraiser racing," you are not only out there for your own physical benefit but to encourage financial support for the families of those most affected by cancer."
Team Duke has really made all of this possible with it's unparalleled support, coaching discounts, gear and streamlined website. We couldn't imagine ever doing another endurance event again without using it as a vehicle to help others. A big thanks to the entire group at Team Duke and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
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