"Cause I Can" Judith Cantor's fundraising projects

Elusive time

I have been reminiscing about the Sydney Bridge Run I did last Sunday in support of Plan's 'Because I am a Girl' campaign. How has a week managed to pass me by? How is it that time seems timeless?

Yes, I've been busy do all manner of things interesting, important, challenging, mundane, poignant, but where has it gone?

And can you imagine what it's like to be a young girl in a third world country wasting your daylight hours walking to collect water for your family? Or cooking and cleaning for your family to the detriment of your own welfare and growth?

That's what 'Because I am a Girl' aims to eradicate. Check it out for the latest report on the state of girls that was launched in Sydney last Wednesday.

The day of the Sydney Running Festival was, in itself, perfect. The weather conditions were kind to the participants, and the spirit was harmonious and heart-warming. Still there weren't enough people supporting charities and wearing the appropriate slogan-ed garb, but I'll let that pass, for now.

Taking part reminded me of just how lucky I am. As I walked towards, and then under, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, I marvelled at my sense of freedom. Freedom to take part without constraint. Freedom to choose how to spend my time. Freedom to be.

I did manage to scare a few of my fellow entrants however. I'm often over-taken by an enormous dose of gratitude when participating in community events and charity challenges. This time I left my sunglasses at home so when my spontaneous-yet-almost-anticipated tears fell, they were in full view. No shield for my vulnerability. Thank you to the kind people who stopped to ask if I was okay. I was more than okay. I was exultant!

Thank you too to everyone who supported my September challenge in a bid to end global poverty. Your friendship, generosity, goodwill and community spirit astound me and continue to buoy me up.

If you would still like to make a difference, please visit www.gofundraise.com.au/judithcantor and donate to this incredibly important cause. For a few dollars, you could change the prosperity of an entire community. Can you picture it, clean water, enough food, equal opportunity to learn?

And whether you are in a position to spare some change or not, remember, grab on to your opportunities and make the most of them. Every day.

Thank you.

Global poverty: a strong theme

I'm elated that it seems more people are thinking about the plight of others - and doing something about it. It's both humbling and how it should be.

This Saturday I'm taking part in the launch of my friend Matt Jones' 10 City Bridge Run which aims to 'build bridges' between those of us who have the resources to make change, and those who do not. From 24 September, he will be running 10 sub-marathons of 24km each in 10 cities across 10 countries within a month. Talk about extreme! For him, each run is representative of the 24,000 children under the age of 5 who, on average, die daily (based on 2008 mortality rate of 8.8 million children).

In keeping with the '24' theme, the launch will involve 100 people walking or running 2.4km across Sydney Harbour Bridge. Why don't you join us? Check out his sites for more information: www.10citybridgerun.com and http://10citybridgerun-efbevent.eventbrite.com/

And now for my next challenge - bizarrely along similar line - but not quite as extreme (for which my physio is most thankful)!

I'm taking part in the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival on Sunday 19 September in support of Plan's GirlsFund and the 'Because I Am A Girl' campaign. This campaign was launched to show the world how investing in the education of girls is key to ending global poverty. 

By supporting me on 19 September, you will be helping to transform the lives of many girls living in the third world. In turn, they will be able to help their families and communities.

According to the 'Because I Am A Girl' website:

"The World Bank has warned that an extra 700,000 African babies are likely to die before their first birthday as a result of the [global financial] crisis. Most of them will be girls, who are five times more likely to be affected by increases in the infant death rate than boys. There is also a clear link between the lack of investment in girls and lack of economic growth. The countries with the highest levels of discrimination embedded in their legal, social and educational systems are also some of the least developed in the world."

Please visit www.gofundraise.com.au/judithcantor today and make a donation towards identifying and responding to the barriers that girls face. That's why Plan International Australia created GirlsFund.

Let's destroy the gender barrier and allow everyone to live to their full and deserved potential!

Thank you so much.

Supine surmising.

Yesterday was a particularly quiet one for me. While most of you (Sydney siders) were romping around in the sunshine, I was laying low in bed for AMDF's Stay in Bed Day.

A very interesting thing happened to me actually. My body and mind played tricks on me and I experienced symptoms similar to when I had CFS. Talk about cellular memory! 

Because I was lying down for so long, my body was well rested but heavy. My mind on the other hand? Buzzing with energy! Maybe, as a creative thinker, I should do this more often!

It was one of the things I used to get most frustrated about - that I could envisage myself doing things but not have the energy to do them. Thankfully, I'm now in a position carry through.

Not so for many people with mitochondrial disease however. 

I am exceedingly grateful to a number of people who donated towards my challenge. With their help, AMDF can commission more research to find treatments and a cure for mito.

The page is still active if you'd like to participate as well: www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_7

And as for those cupcakes (see below)? 


Well, my folks each had one when they came to visit me during the afternoon (cupcakes 'D' and 'Y' for "DAY", I had one at the same time (you got it, cupcake 'A'), and I managed to squeeze one in for morning tea today. Of course, this was only because I couldn't fit all the leftovers into my Tupperware container! Leftovers will be eaten by my fellow choristers at rehearsal tonight in lieu of a gold coin donation.

For all the people with mito, and their families, carers and friends, I wish you well.

The big reveal.

And now for my next trick... only joking: mito is a really serious disease. Check out my most recent YouTube clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl7-UHhPsqA 

If you'd like to join me in bed for the day, get in touch and I'll let you know if there's still room. 

If there is, make a $20 donation to www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_7 and turn up to my place between 8.30-8.45am this Sunday! Rules are: lie-in lasts from 9am-5pm, only one person is allowed to be out of bed at any given time (which should accommodate for bathroom and food breaks), sense of humour mandatory, and wear your pyjamas or tracky daks. Teddybears, pillows and hot water bottles are optional.

If there isn't any room, please make a donation anyway.

If you'd like to find out more about mito visit www.amdf.org.au.

Thanks.

Tamest of the lot.

Although some people think I'm a little way out, let me tell you, I'm pretty normal if last Sunday is anything to go by!

That's right, I walked City2Surf with smurfs, storm troopers, bees and storybook characters, amongst others. It was a great day! Most festive despite the freezing temps at the beginning.

Now all we need to do is get the event organisers to ban corporate gear unless they support charities! Don't they (the corporates) realise it's good for business - that triple bottom line? Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Thank you so much to those who supported my efforts for WSPA - both financially and emotionally. The organisation needs as much help as it can get to help protect as many animals around the world as it can.

Check out my photos taken throughout the 14km route. There are some funny ones!

A growling 14km

Yes, that's right. Growling. Not gruelling (although it may prove to be that too).

You see, I'm taking part in City2Surf this Sunday morning and have decided to support World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). And I'm in good company. Corey and Reidy, two surf lifesavers from Bondi Rescue, will be doing it too. Have a feeling they'll be running it however, and fast.

WSPA stand for anti-cruelty against animals. For creatures that can't speak for themselves, such an organisation is crucial. People need to treat animals humanely and know the boundaries that should never be crossed.

They take interest in disaster management where animal welfare is a vital part of rebuilding communities. They monitor and help work horses that are over-worked and poorly cared for. They campaign to protect bears from cruelty and captivity. Amongst many other projects.

Please help them further their fantastic work by sponsoring my walk this Sunday? I've set the target at a low $250 and would love to smash it! To help me do that, visit www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_1 and make your donation today. Anything over $2 is tax-deductible. Every cent counts. Really.

Thanks so much for your support! It's much appreciated.

Through the vineyards we did wander

Yesterday, @_SherylCole of www.twospoonfulsofsugar.com and I took part in the 6.25km Winery Running Festival put on by Lawlers in support of Camp Quality. We left the CBD at around 7.30am and took a leisurely drive to Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley. Although, with the intermittent heavy fog patches, it wasn't as stress-free as you might have thought!

By the time we got there it was a beautiful but brisk day filled with sunshine and there were lots of smiling faces everywhere - especially those of the of the Camp Quality crew!

The marathon and half-marathon participants had already started so we waited for our event together with a crowd of super-fit runners who had already finished the race, children and families who were going to run/walk the 2.5km route just before ours, spectators and volunteers. I'm sure there were many there who had directly benefited from Camp Quality's great work!

The Wander route itself was a lovely blend of Hunter Valley Gardens behind-the-scenes views and vineyard tramping. It was just so lovely to be in the country!

I came 441st and Sheryl came 425th (because she just couldn't manage to do the whole track without a wee jog) - both in just over an hour. A really lovely Sunday stroll.

We finished it off with indulging in some chocolate: lime-infused and honeycomb. Oh yes, and moscato tasting! I can highly recommend the Audrey Wilkinson Winemakers Selection 2010.

Although the Winery Wander is now over, my fundraising page is active for another 60 days. No doubt Camp Quality would truly appreciate any support you can give them: www.mycause.com.au/WanderthroughthewineriesforCampQuality

Thank you so much to everyone who sent their good wishes, helped with spreading the word via social media and more traditional means, that is their mouths.

Until next time.