Thank You All!!

To All My Fellow Brawlers

I just wanted to express my thanks and appreciation for your participation in the Get Your Rear In Gear Philadelphia 2012 event. While Mom was not able to overcome this horrible disease, your participation in the Get Your Rear in Gear event, whether walking, donating, or buying a shirt, has inspired all of us to keep fighting for this cause. We have raised over $11,500 in the last 13 months! I think the below quotes are very relevant to Mom, the Brawler's, and the fight against this horrible disease:

"Don't count the days, make the days count."

Muhammad Ali

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you,
till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer,
never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."
Harriet Beecher Stowe

“There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometime lose sight of this force when there is suffering, and too much pain. Then suddenly, the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and answer in extraordinary ways.

Mother Teresa

The support, effort, and well wishes you have provided mean more to us than you can ever know. Thank you again and we hope to see you at future events. Please continue to follow news on the cause and other events at:

                                          http://blksbrawlers.blogspot.com

God Bless You All!

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

Thank you to all of you out there who will be walking with us tomorrow or who have donated to the cause! Mom has gotta be smiling down on us after seeing so many people come together to help put an end to the disease that took her life way too early! We're currently #2 in fundraising with over $5400 (we may take over #1 by tonight) and we're also one of the largest teams. Thank you again everyone, I'm so proud to know how many people helped in supporting my Mom, my family, & this cause. See you tomorrow!
-BLK's Brawlers 4 Life!

2 Days Left! Please help!

Hey everyone, we're 2 days from the walk and have 65 walkers and raised $5,400.00!!! Our goal was $10,000 and we are only about $600.00 away from being the lead fundraiser for this year's effort! Please pass this to everyone you know and have them donate by Saturday night at the latest! Every dollar helps! Thanks so much! See you Sunday!

Donation Link:

https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

-Gerry

3 Days to Go!

Picking up the T-shirts today and the race Packets tomorrow! Getting Excited!

4 More Days! Please Donate!

Only 4 days until the GYRIG Philadelphia walk/run!  Online registration has closed and we have 65 walkers/runners and we're at $5,105.00 (51% of our goal). We've also sold 72 out of our 80 shirts (2-L, 6-XL Remaining)!! If you want a shirt, please contact me, they're going fast! Thanks so much for all of your support! We're doing great, but we still have so much more to do. Please keep up the donations, you can donate all the way up to 3-17-12. Every dollar helps!

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

65 Walkers! $5,000 Raised So Far!

Only 6 days until the GYRIG Philadelphia walk/run!  Online registration has closed and we have 65 walkers/runners and we're at $5,000.00 (50% of our goal). We've also sold 72 out of our 80 shirts (2-L, 6-XL Remaining)!! If you want a shirt, please contact me, they're going fast! Thanks so much for all of your support! We're doing great, but we still have so much more to do. Please keep up the donations, you can donate all the way up to 3-17-12. Every dollar helps!

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

8 days!!!

Walk/run info:
8 days until the GYRIG Philadelphia walk/run! We have 63 walkers/runners and we're at $4,762.00 (48% of our goal). We've also sold 69 out of our 80 shirts (5-L, 4-XL, 2-XXL Remaining)!! If you want a shirt, please contact me, they're going fast! Thanks so much for all of your support! We're doing great, but we still have so much more to do. Please join us for the walk/run or donate to this important cause! Every dollar helps!

Walk/Run Register Link (online registration deadline is TODAY!):
https://www.raceit.com/Register/groups/groups.aspx?event=6037

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

Happy 55th Birthday Dad! Online Registration Ends Today! Brawler's Team is Growing!

Let me start by saying happy 55th birthday to may dad, Kurt Krauss!

He has taught me what it means to be an adult, a man, a husband, and a father. He's taught me morals, patriotism, dignity, dedication, honor, confidence and so many other wonderful traits. He's made me proud to say I'm a Krauss and I'm his son. He's been a rock in this family and has faced many trials and tribulations and has flourished. We love you Dad and I know Mom is smiling down swelling with pride. Happy Birthday!

Now for the walk/run info:
9 days until the GYRIG Philadelphia walk/run! We have 60+ walkers/runners and we're at $4,612.00 (46% of our goal). We've also sold 67 out of our 80 shirts (5-L, 6-XL, 2-XXL Remaining)!! If you want a shirt, please contact me, they're going fast! Thanks so much for all of your support! We're doing great, but we still have so much more to do. Please join us for the walk/run or donate to this important cause! Every dollar helps!

Walk/Run Register Link (online registration deadline is TODAY!):
https://www.raceit.com/Register/groups/groups.aspx?event=6037

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

10 days to 10k!

Well, it's 10 days until the GYRIG Philadelphia walk/run and I can't wait. Remember everyone, tomorrow is the last day for online registration! After tomorrow you'll have to register in person at the event (more expensive and a pain in the ass). Look forward to seeing you all there. LOVE U MOM!

Flyers Memories of Mom

As I sit here and watch the Flyers retire Mark Howe's #2, I'm reminded of the era when mom got me into the Flyers of the 80s and 90s. I never had any knowledge of the Flyers until Barb came along. I learned all the players, Propp, Kerr, Hextall, Howe, my favorite LeClair, & her most favorite from her past, Leech. It's funny all the things I hold dear to my heart because of her. Even though I'm often saddened at these times, I'm also so happy to have so many things in my life that remind me of all of our wonderful times together. We had some trying times, but we had so many more great ones. I love you and miss you Mom! Go Flyers!

Brawler's Base of Operations Breaks 1000 Visitors!

Thank you all for visiting this blog in honor of Mom. I will continue to post info about the cause, memories about Mom, and other tidbits. Also, if there's anything you'd like to see up here, please let me know!

Love you and Miss You Mom!!!!
-Gerry

4 Days Left for Online Registration, Doin Great!

13 days until the GYRIG Philadelphia walk/run! We have 50 walkers/runners and we're at $4,457.00 (45% of our goal). We've also sold 65 out of our 80 shirts (5-L, 8-XL, 2-XXL Remaining)!! If you want a shirt, please contact me, they're going fast! Thanks so much for all of your support! We're doing great, but we still have so much more to do. Please join us for the walk/run or donate to this important cause! Every dollar helps!

Walk/Run Register Link (online registration deadline is 9-Mar-2012):
https://www.raceit.com/Register/groups/groups.aspx?event=6037

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

Wear Blue Day for Colon Cancer Awareness!! Brawler's Doing Great!

Hey everyone, don't forget today is Wear Blue Day for Colon Cancer Awareness!

16 days until the GYRIG Philadelphia walk/run! In the last 3 days we've gone from 31 to 46 walkers (at least 10 more expected) and we've gone from $3,000 to $3,337 raised so far not counting the $750 shirt sales donation! That will put us to 40% of our $10,000 goal!!! Thanks so much for all of your support! We're doing great, but we still have so much more to do. Please join us for the walk/run or donate to this important cause! Every dollar helps!

Walk/Run Register Link (online registration deadline is 9-Mar-2012):
https://www.raceit.com/Register/groups/groups.aspx?event=6037

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

Today is shirt deadline!

Let me know if you want a walk shirt ($10). Email me/facebook me with the sizes you want. 100% of proceeds go to charity. Last day to order shirts is today. We will try to order some extra shirts to have on hand at the walk, but no guarantees.

Shirt Logo

17 days until the walk/run! We're up to 43 walkers (at least 10 more expected) and we're at $3,187 raised so far not counting the $700+ shirt sales donation! Thanks so much for all of your support! We're doing great, but we still have so much more to do. Please join us for the walk/run or donate to this important cause! Every dollar helps!

Walk/Run Register Link (online registration deadline is 9-Mar-2012):
https://www.raceit.com/Register/groups/groups.aspx?event=6037

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

Almost 40 Walkers, Almost 50 Shirts, and 31% of our goal!

Hey everyone, the outpouring of support these last few days has been amazing. We have almost 40 walkers, at least 10 more expected. We've sold almost 50 shirts, at least 10 more expected. And we've reached almost $3200.00 raised. Our goal is still $10,000 and I still think its possible. Please help and pass these links to everyone you know.

Walk/Run Register Link:
https://www.raceit.com/Register/groups/groups.aspx?event=6037

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

Also, let me know if you want a shirt ($10). Email me/facebook me with the sizes you want. 100% of proceeds go to charity. Last day to order shirts is 1- March-12.

Thanks,
Gerry

31 Walkers and 31.6% of the way to our goal!

Hey everyone, I'm sure you all know by now, but the 2012 Get Your Rear in Gear Colorectal Cancer Walk/Run at the Philadelphia Museum of Art is Sunday March 18th. I've posted the link all over my blog, facebook, twitter, and several emails. We still have a long way to go towards reaching our goal. Please get the links out to everyone you know! This is an ongoing effort so please sign up or donate, we can't give up, and we can't forget, remember those important to us that we've lost, they were ALWAYS there for us, and even though they're gone, we need to continue to be there for them! Please help us!

Walk/Run Register Link:
https://www.raceit.com/Register/groups/groups.aspx?event=6037

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

Also, let me know if you want a shirt ($10). Email me/facebook me with the sizes you want. 100% of proceeds go to charity. Last day to order shirts is 1- March-12.

19 Days to go and only 27 Brawlers! C'mon folks!

Hey everyone, I'm sure you all know by now, but the 2012 Get Your Rear in Gear Colorectal Cancer Walk/Run at the Philadelphia Museum of Art is Sunday March 18th. I've posted the link all over my blog, facebook, twitter, and several emails. I'm disheartened to say that with only 19 days until the event, we only have 1/3 of the walkers from last year, 50% of the funds raised from last year (only 28% of this year's goal), and only 24 shirts sold (less than 1/3 of last year). Please get the links out to everyone you know! I'm sure that at least 75% of the world out there has had their lives touched by cancer in some way and we can truly make a difference. Solidarity and the will to never give up will drive us to a cure. This is an ongoing effort so please sign up or donate, we can't give up, and we can't forget, remember those important to us that we've lost, they were ALWAYS there for us, and even though they're gone, we need to continue to be there for them! Please help us!

Walk/Run Register Link:
https://www.raceit.com/Register/groups/groups.aspx?event=6037

Donation Link:
https://www.raceit.com/fundraising/fundraise.aspx?event=6037&fundraiser=3201

Also, let me know if you want a shirt ($10). Email me/facebook me with the sizes you want. 100% of proceeds go to charity. Last day to order shirts is 1- March-12.

Monkey Bread just like Mom used to make!

Today Sandra is making us all monkey bread for breakfast, just like Mom used to make. Cam is shaking up the big bag of dough balls and cinnamon just like I used to. Last time we had this, the kids devoured it. Just one of the many traditions of Mom that we'll carry on and then our kids can do with their kids. Once it's done, a picture will follow! Have a great Saturday everyone!

Smiling Down on her Grandbabies

I was watching my kiddos yesterday and saw their limitless energy, contagious laughter, unbounded joy, and unconditional love for us and eachother and I could help but think of Mom, or Mommom to the kids.

I see so much of her personality in them. They would do anything they could to help you, they are quick to forgive, and they even have her sass and wit. Cam is quick to remind you of something you've said no matter how long ago. Aubrey raises the eyebrow. And Evan shares her sweet tooth.

So I'm sure she's up there smiling down on those grandbabies. And they miss her like crazy. I am very thankful to have these little daily reminders of how awesome Mom was!

Spring after walk quite symbolic!

Just realized today that the day after the walk/run is the first day of Spring! What a way to bring in the season. Spring is a season of renewal, flowers start to grow again, animals come out of hiding, beautiful weather returns, and we'll have just finished our walk in tribute to those we know who have or have been lost to colon cancer. But like Spring is a renewal, so is the day after our walk. Our love of those lost and dedication to the cause is only growing. I miss Mom more every day and want this horrible disease to be erraticated more every day. So don't let your love, remembrance, dedication, and resolve end with the walk, follow the example of spring and let it keep growing! There's still so much work to be done!

Love you and miss you Mom!