I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Off-Topic => Off-Topic: Talk about anything you want. => Topic started by: Raph Minus1Kidney on July 24, 2012, 12:06:50 AM
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Hi All,
Last Sunday I carried the Olympic Torch for 300 meter (after doing 800 miles) and coming Friday I got a walking role with a suitcase in the Olympic Opening Ceremony...
I call myself “Raph of Minus1Kidney.com”, since my donation, there have been about 5,000 living kidney transplants in the UK but it seems I’m the only one making a spectacle of myself and hence collecting all of these accolades. I most recently answered these 2 questions and attached a photo which I hope you will find useful.
Why was I nominated to be a torchbearer? (150 words maximum):
As Raph of Minus1Kidney.com, I have supported charities like the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT), Anthony Nolan Trust and Kidney Research UK with the message "Get more from life by sharing the Gift of Life". We promote blood, platelet, bone marrow and organ donation.
Especially for every anniversary since donating a kidney to a former co-worker in May 2007, I try to do something to celebrate our continued good health. I’m not very popular so I made music videos of myself doing a tandem skydive and running loads of races taking picture wearing the t-shirt Minus1Kidney.com. The biggest of which was for my 3rd transplant anniversary when I did sub 5 hours in London Marathon 2010 and taking almost 300 pictures.
How do I feel about being a torchbearer?:
I was obviously excited and then tried to get some of the friends that inspire me nominated but was humbled by the consistent responses of them wanting me to do it and I got even more nominations.
So I got my Olympic Torch Training Hammer (rebranded from the superhero movie Thor) and have carried it everywhere, doing everything and it has been breaking the ice of conversation around living donation.
With it, I was inspired to Captain a Living Donor Team to do the 2012km (1250 miles) Gold Challenge and in turn was able to inspire others to join me. We completed it just in time for my Torch confirmation and our big day in the Olympic Stadium (where I also got in the first wedding proposal). My team is made up of seemingly normal people with bits of selfless heroism in them to donate lifesaving blood, blood platelets, bone marrow and me with the hope of inspiring others to do the same. In the true spirit of the Olympics, I have run faster, jumped higher and am stronger with an individual effort about 1300km (800 miles) with hundreds of pictures. Which included among other things, 5 half marathon and the London Marathon 2012 (20 minutes faster than last time, so I have got to do another music video). The Olympic flame has arrived in the UK and is currently making its way all around the country. My running events have tapered off for a walking Olympic Opening Ceremony rehearsals. I've done my 9th blood donation and is set to use my computer skills as a Games Maker for the Paralympics.
Sponsoring our efforts can be done here and please share our story “Get more from Life by sharing the Gift of Life”…
http://www.justgiving.com/M1K-4-ACLT-2012
We have also created this Facebook album to share the 2012 adventure.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150864419805324.738505.134138025323&type=1
Cheers
Raph M1K
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Welcome back Ralph. I think you joined about 1 year ago. Please give us some news if you GO to the Olympics. We want to hear all about them
:cheer:
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Great to hear your story Raph! :2thumbsup;