Here at the Austin Institute we believe in giving back and supporting great causes
Over the years, our founder, Wayne, has worked tirelessly by giving his time, energy, support and funds to various causes.
From emceeing at the Hope Ball to benefit juvenile diabetes, to riding his bike from Houston to Austin to raise money and awareness about Multiple Sclerosis, Wayne is completely involved and dedicated to helping others. He has ridden his bike twice from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money for AIDS research and this year he is taking on cancer, a devastating disease that has touched him personally.
Wayne will be riding with the Livestrong team twice this year, in July across the state of Iowa and again in October here in Austin for the Livestrong Challenge. Whether in business or in life, Wayne touts the importance of having a team. All of his riding and training would not be possible without the many people involved on his team.
Won’t you please support our efforts here at The Austin Institute and be part of our team? Help keep our philanthropy and good works going and donate online or by fax (512) 583-0214 today.
UPDATE:
Wayne would like to thank everyone for their support. Below are photos of him in the jersey that he will be riding in. Pinned on his jersey are the names of people that have been affected by cancer, Wayne will be riding in their honor. Below is also a list of these names. Wayne would like to share photos of his experience with everyone, to see more photos of his jouney visit Wayne's RAGBRAI album.
Read about Wayne's ride on DesMoinesRegister.com.
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Jean Moore |
About Wayne’s Causes In 2006 and 2007, Wayne rode 585 miles over seven days from San Fransisco to Los Angeles to benefit AIDS Lifecylcle. Since 2006, Wayne has participated in the annual BP MS150 ride from Houston to Austin to benefit Multiple Sclerosis. Wayne also participates annually in the Wildflower ride in Johnson City which benefits the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center. This non-profit organization provides services at no cost to physically and/or sexually abused children. In 2007 Wayne emceed at The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's annual fundraiser, the Hope Ball, which raises funds for |
research for Juvenile Diabetes. That year, Wayne was instrumental in helping The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation reach a record breaking year for donations at the Hope Ball.
This year, Wayne is joining the Livestrong team in the fight against cancer. He will ride across the state of Iowa over seven days and 475 miles in the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. His team plans to raise $500,000, all of which goes directly to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Please join us in helping others. As the fortunate, we can help those who are less fortunate.
To donate online go to http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/ragbrai08wmorgan or to donate by fax click here.
For more information: http://www.livestrong.org and http://www.RAGBRAI.org
A message from Wayne,
My grandfather died of cancer.
My father died of cancer.
My father-in-law died of cancer.
My mother-in-law died of cancer.
Last week my dear friends lost their father to cancer in 2 weeks.
These were all painful.
What really hurt me the most was when my cousin, who was raising her only son by herself, died of cancer. Her name is Laura Simpson and she died of breast cancer at age 42.
This is her picture.
Today, there are nearly 12 million people living with cancer in United States, and it is estimated that close to 1.4 million more will be diagnosed this year alone. One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime
I am cycling across Iowa on July 20th thru July 26th to raise money for the fight against cancer. I consider myself fortunate to be on Lance Armstrong’s cycling team and I am joining him and his organization in the fight.
My goal is to raise $20,000 from this ride. I have rented an RV and will drive to Iowa, a friend will follow me across the state and then we will drive it back home.
I will be wearing a picture of my cousin on my jersey as I dedicate my efforts to her and honor all the others who are not here because of this disease.
Send me the name of someone you know, loved and cared about and I will pin it on my jersey and ride across Iowa in their honor.
If you would like for me to ride with the name of someone you know that has been affected by cancer on his jersey, please send your information to shelly_morgan@yahoo.com.
I also ask that you send money if you can. Send as much as you are comfortable with, but please send something as no amount is too small. I am sending this letter to everyone I know, so if everyone sends a little, it will mean a lot.
I started with $2,000 myself and will spend about another $2,000 on the trip.
The ride itself is 475 miles across seven days. This is the link to the site where you can donate:
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AustinInstituteofRea/eccd0e86e0/TEST/13096c2d68.
All your donations go directly to The Lance Armstrong Foundation. When I cross the finish line in Le Claire, Iowa, after riding my bike for 475 miles, I want you to be there--in spirit or in person--as part of my team!
If you prefer, you can print the form here and fax it to (512) 583-0214 . All the information you need is on the form itself and all donations go directly to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Thank you for being willing to give to others who need your help.
I appreciate you.
I am truly excited to share this journey with you. Thank you for your support and for being a part of my fight! Please forward this message on to anyone that you think wants to pick a fight with cancer.
Wayne Morgan