Basic blog

I signed up for the 2008 Seacoast Bike Tour again this year, to be run on May 17th and 18th. Last year, I did the 25 mile course on Saturday and the 35 on Sunday. This year, I signed up for the 42 mile on Saturday and the 35 on Sunday. As long as I can get going with some training and pace myself, I don't think I'll have too much difficulty with the additional mileage. I hope the weather is better this year than it was last. The rain was kind of miserable. If anyone is interested in pledging support for me this year, here's a link to my fundraising page.Again, I started early this year so as to give people plenty of warning because I know how hard it can be to scrape up some extra cash on short notice.

The organization has changed it's name and dropped it's affiliation with the National Lung Association - it's now known as Breathe New Hampshire. The reason for the change is that the Lung Association was going to combine some States' chapters into regional ones and as a result NH was going to lose control over the way funds were raised and distributed in the state, so the decision was made to continue on on our own. The purpose of the organization is exactly the same, though - to promote lung health in NH.
Here's a blurb from Breathe NH's website:

NEW NAME. SAME MISSION. LONG-STANDING NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORY.
By Daniel Fortin, President & CEO

On July 1, 2007 we changed our name from the American Lung Association of New Hampshire to Breathe New Hampshire. We also adopted a new slogan “Improving lung health since 1916.” We believe our new slogan best explains what we stand for and what we do. Simply put, we address the issues that affect the ability of the people in our state to breathe.

A long-established New Hampshire organization, Breathe New Hampshire was founded under the name The Society for Prevention of Tuberculosis at a time when its sole mission was to eradicate tuberculosis. Over the years, the organization has changed as its focus shifted to other respiratory issues, including asthma, COPD (an umbrella term for bronchitis and/or emphysema), clean air, lung cancer, and nicotine addiction.

This organization’s commitment to both the elimination and prevention of lung disease, and the care and assistance for those living with lung disease remains unchanged. Breathe New Hampshire’s mission, staff, and office location remains unchanged. What does change is the complexion of the threats to our breathing, as most recently illustrated by the news story about an individual diagnosed with an antibiotic resistant strain of TB traveling globally. Breathe New Hampshire will continue to fund medical research that may some day uncover a cure for such lung diseases. We will continue to provide technical assistance to individuals, health care providers, educators, and business leaders; Breathe New Hampshire will continue to launch public awareness campaigns about emerging lung diseases as they become apparent.

Public health advocacy, educational outreach, and scientific research are all necessary to help prevent, eliminate and treat lung disease. Breathe New Hampshire’s vision for the future includes an emphasis on these areas, as well as an expanded commitment to initiatives such as support for those living with lung disease and their caregivers, a youth-based advocacy movement, and statewide grassroots outreach.

As the Granite State's oldest nonprofit voluntary health agency, our board, staff, and volunteers are best prepared to directly address its needs. Our organization has a proud history of serving the people of New Hampshire for over 90 years in matters of lung health, including tuberculosis, asthma, COPD, healthy air, and nicotine addiction. We have been improving lung health for the residents of New Hampshire since 1916, and we look forward to continuing this important mission.

The way I see it, anything that promotes smoking prevention is a good cause. If I can get in better shape, have fun, and help support the event all at the same time... so much the better.

4 months to go.