2012 MISSION OF HONOR & HOPE
We are in the process of planning the 2012 Mission of Honor and Hope, tentatively scheduled for late fall. Any potential sponsor, or any firefighter who is a cancer survivor and is interested in joining our Mission to share their story with fellow firefighters, can contact us at firefighters@code3foracure.org.
In the meantime, Madison, Wisconsin Firefighter Robert Verhelst is bringing attention to our cause as he competes in numerous triathlons throughout the country in 2012.
On September 11, 2001, when our nation suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history, Robert felt compelled to respond. Following his shift at his Madison fire station, he traveled to ground zero and worked search, rescue and recovery on the pile for eight straight days. Since that time, Robert has been driven to compete in triathlons.
In the fall of 2010, Code 3 for a Cure President Lorenzo Abundiz decided to stop at the Madison Fire Department
as part of Code 3's 2010 Mission of Honor and Hope, even though Madison was not a scheduled stop on the itinerary. As a result of that visit, Robert was inspired to do something to help our cause. So on September 11, 2011, on the ten-year anniversary of 9/11, he competed in the Ironman Wisconsin. After swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112 miles, Robert accomplished the unthinkable by completing the 26.2 mile marathon portion of the ironman triathlon in firefighter turnout gear, including air tank and helmet. He did this to honor and remember those who lost their lives on 9/11, and also to raise funds for our cause. As a result of Robert's efforts, and with the help of Ironman and all who donated, over $8,000 was raised.
Robert has now decided that he wants to do even more. Thus, he has dedicated himself to achieving a myriad of triathlon events in 2012, completing the marathon portion in firefighter turnout gear, with a two-fold purpose: to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11, and to help raise funds for our cause.
We are also proud to announce that Robert has been selected to represent our cause at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI on October 13, 2012. See what Robert has to say about the special effort he is making for Code 3.
We are thankful and proud that Robert, an 11-year Madison, WI Firefighter and United States Air Force veteran, has become an ambassador for Code 3. We salute Robert for all his is doing to bring attention to our cause.
Join the quest in 2012 by cheering Robert on at any of his triathlon events. You can view his triathlon schedule on his website, www.firemanrob.com.