"Gigi
made an incredible contribution to this year's Changing Gears
ride -- not only through the fantastic outcome of her fundraising,
and the promotion of our cause through the media and Namron
racing, but she shone as a leader in the group and a mentor
to our newer riders," Campbell said. "Amazon Heart
Thunder adventures are a unique peer support opportunity for
women diagnosed with breast cancer - Gigi's fundraising contribution
will help make these programs available to other women in
the future, and the personal support and friendship she gave
to the other riders this year made a huge impact on so many
women's lives."
Gigi was
just one of 23 riders on the week-long, U.S. leg of the three-country
"Amazon Heart Thunder" rides who are breast cancer
survivors. In Gigi's case, she's had two
bouts with breast cancer.
"Almost
every day on the ride, we met with groups of people touched
in some way by breast cancer," Gigi said. "Each
day, we cried, we laughed and we hugged. It was an emotional
roller coaster for us all."
In the
winter of 2005, Namron Racing Team
was formed and pledged to donate all prize money and tow money
it won toward cancer support and cancer research programs.
The team sold items, like the teddy bears and team buttons,
at parades, displays, airshows and, of course, at hydroplane
races. One hundred percent of the money donated for those
items were pledged to Gigi's Changing Gears donation as well.
"It
is a rare person who can lead by example and with such a gentle
strength as Gigi," said Megan Dwyer,
the other co-founder of the event that just ended its second
year. "Her contributions to the 2005 Changing Gears ride
were huge. Not only did she do an incredible job with
fundraising and promotion of the event and the issues for
young breast cancer survivors, but she helped organize events
along the route, connected and supported the other participants
and was a fantastic group leader. The money raised through
this event will fund much needed peer support programs for
women with breast cancer around the world."
As the
Namron Racing Team ends
its first season of hydroplane racing, they end up ninth place
in national high points in the National Modified class and
20th in national high points in the 5-Litre class. The team
not only has a goal to improve in both classes next season,
but will continue to pledge 100 percent of all prize money,
show money, donations and sales toward Amazon Heart Thunder
and cancer support organizations again.
"We'd
like to raise at least $10,000 in donations next year,"
Bud McKay said. "We got a late start in the 2005 season
and missed a lot of racing. If all goes well in 2006, we'll
get more trophies and have the chance to reach out to more
people about cancer research and cancer support programs like
Amazon Heart Thunder.'"
On behalf
of the entire Namron Racing Team,
we thank you all very much for your heartfelt contributions.
Bud
and Gigi McKay
