Photo via assistnews.net

Christian businessman to provide equity during Boston Marathon

Last May, Bryce Gaudian fulfilled a dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

"This April 21st, Lord willing, I plan on running the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boylston Street in the 112th running of the Boston Marathon," Gaudian told ASSIST News.

"I’ve had another dream recently fulfilled as well. It has been a great privilege for me over the past four years to run marathons to help raise money for the extraordinary work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the great support of many generous people."

Ever since, says Gaudian, he has hoped for an opportunity to visit St. Jude in person.

"That dream became a reality this past October, when a business trip took me right through Memphis, Tennessee. A one-on-one tour with a member of the St. Jude Heroes running program staff confirmed what I had felt all along. From this epicenter of compassion emanates amazing labors of love."

Gaudian says there is an indomitable presence of hope at St. Jude, "which helps children and families run with patience and endurance, their very own 'marathons' as it were.

"This past October, I had the inspiring experience of meeting Bill Rodgers -- four-time winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons," said Gaudian.

"After learning of my desire to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the upcoming Boston Marathon, Bill Rodgers sent me a brand new pair of Brook’s Triumph running shoes, personally autographed by himself, for me to run this April’s Boston Marathon in. It doesn’t get any more special than that!"

Gaudian says he recently contacted St. Jude’s for a specific child and family to run on behalf of and raise money for their and others care.

"This year, I will be running for a precious little girl -- Anna Grace (“Amazing Grace,” as she has been called). Anna Grace was abandoned on the roadside of a rural community in southern China when she was only a day old. She was rescued to an orphanage in Le Chang, China, and was eventually adopted by Pastor Greg and Nancy Davis from the United States."

Gaudian says that less than a week after arrival to her new home in Mississippi, Anna Grace was losing the ability to sit up on her own, and one of her eyes had begun wandering inward.

"A CAT scan revealed an orange-sized medulloblastoma tumor on her brain stem. Anna Grace survived the complex, life-threatening brain surgery. At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she then began 16 months of chemotherapy and a procedure called conformal radiation. St. Jude’s pioneered the use of this therapy in protocols for children with brain tumors," he said.

Surviving with virtually no side effects such as loss of motor skills, hearing loss and speech impediments, is extremely rare.

"She really is the poster child for our treatment efforts at St. Jude," says Dr. Maryam Fouladi, MD. The Davis’ say of St. Jude -- "It’s an amazing place."

Gaudian said: "I’m now seeking support from businesses, friends, families, and interested and generous others who would come alongside my Boston Marathon run, to raise as much money as possible for the great work of St. Jude. I’ve set a fund-raising goal of $10,000.00. Please help my efforts!"

With the high-profile and world renowned stature of the Boston Marathon -- no race is more famous, more tradition laden, and more revered than Boston -- and the incomparable work of St. Jude, Gaudian is hoping that a significant number of businesses and folks will partner with him for St. Jude.

"I’ll provide the sweat equity to endure the marathon run, and I am asking you to provide the money to help the most vulnerable of children with cancer or some other catastrophic disease and their families endure their own marathon run, so to speak, of going through the processes of becoming whole," Gaudian said.

He explained that at St. Jude, as an operating principle, no one pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay.

"Having personally visited St. Jude, I saw the difference it makes for families having their whole needs being completely taken care of: transportation, housing, food, medical expenses, ongoing care, etc."

Gaudian believes this is an amazingly compassionate nonprofit organization worthy of support.

Gaudian is a development manager for Agilis, a national lockbox/caging and fulfillment company, dedicated to meeting the unique needs of nonprofit organizations and other organizations requiring customized services.

The Agilis website states: "We provide specialized multi-channel donations, remittance and document processing; data capture, conversion and integration services; and matrix acknowledgement and fulfillment services. Currently we provide solutions for more than 300 organizations throughout the U.S."

Interested individuals may make checks out to: "ALSAC / St. Jude" and mail to: Bryce Gaudian, 21992 810th Avenue, Hayward MN 56043.

Gifts are Tax-Deductible and you will receive a receipt for your donation.

He concludes: "After the Boston Marathon, I promise to send you a play-by-play of how the race went for me, along with a report of how much money was raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Thank you so much for considering St. Jude."

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[03/21/2008]

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