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The Way Back is Forward (An age group triathlete's journey with cancer)

Stand Up to Cancer 
 
My name is Bill Manning and I am a 3 year prostate cancer survivor (for details go to "Bill's Cancer Story" at the bottom of this page). 
  
You can make a difference in someone's future (it maybe someone you know and love).  Please help me and others like me by joining Lance's Army today. 
 

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) unites people through programs and experiences. The LAF empowers cancer survivors to live life on their own terms and raises awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. Unite and fight cancer at LIVESTRONG.org.

 

Cancer remains the number one killer of Americans under 85. That’s why we’re growing the LIVESTRONG Army to make cancer a national priority. The LIVESTRONG Army is an opportunity for anyone, anywhere to unite with the LAF to fight cancer.

 
This year we raised $10, 292 for LAF.  Thank you to all my supporters.
 
Over the next four years I will be reaching out to you to support the fight against cancer through a series of events to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation ("LAF"). 
 

There can be – and should be – life after cancer for more people. For many people living with cancer, LIVESTRONG represents hope, courage and perseverance, inspired by our founder and chairman, Lance Armstrong.

 
I have participated in triathlons for 24 consecutive years including the last 3 years since my cancer was diagnosed.  Triathlons have been very helpful to me in dealing with my cancer.  My hope is to be able to complete the planned events, recover from my cancer and encourage people to support LAF. 
 
 
                                                  
2008 
Mighty Hamptons Triathlon             Finished!! Thanks we raised $10,292 for LAF.  Thank you to all my supporters!!
 
2009                                                  NEXT EVENT
Mighty Montauk Half Ironman    October 2009
 
2010           
Lake Placid Ironman                       July 2010
 
2011                               
Bike Ride Across America               May 2011
 
2012           
Swim Around Manhattan (NYC)       October 2012
 
Event #1 September 14, 2008
Mighty Hamptons Triathlon
Southampton, NY           
 
Original Fund Rasing Goal $5,000.  We raised $10,292 !!!!
   
An Olympic distance triathlon which consists of a 1 mile swim, 24 mile bike ride and 6.2 mile run.  This is the first event in the fund raising series.  In this event I will still be on hormone depravation therapy (ADT) which is a cancer treatment for prostate cancer.  This treatment strips out all of the testosterone from my body.  The treatment has several unpleasant side effects some of which hamper my physical strength and aerobic endurance.  So while this is the shortest event of the series I believe this race will test the limits of my current physical ability and endurance. 
 
It is a wonderful race set in beautiful Sag Harbor/North Haven and Southampton.  I have completed this event many times over the past 24 years.  I first participated in the event in 1986.
 
So I will be out there giving it my all and I am asking you to give a little as well.  I will match the first $2,500 of contributions you make to Lance's Foundation.
 
Event #2 October 2009
Mighty Man 1/2 Ironman Triathlon
Montauk, NY
 
Fund Raising Goal $7,500
 
A 1/2 ironman triathlon which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run.  If things go according to plan I will have been off the ADT for about three months.  To complete this event I will need to quickly ramp up my workout schedule after stopping ADT at the end of June.  I think I can do it, but it will cost you.  I am upping the fund raising goal by $2,500.
 
Event #3 July 2010
Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon
 
Fund Raising Goal $10,000
 
This is the test of truth, hopefully I will be footloose and cancer free.  A full distance ironman race which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run.  A long day in the Adirondack Mountains so let's make it pay off for Lance's Foundation.
 
If by some miracle I have the race of my life and qualify for the Kona race I will be back to the group for a second fund raiser in 2010.  Kona is the holy grail of triathlons and is the famous race you may have seen it on TV.
 
Event #4 May 2011
California to Virginia
 
Fund Raising goal $12,500
 
It is one of my life goals to ride across this great country.  I estimate it will to take 30 days and cover roughly 3,000 miles.  I know it seems easy compared to the Lake Placid event but hey I think I deserve an nice easy 3,000 mile bike ride. Please be prepared to give anyway.
 
Event #5 July 2012
New York City
 
Fund Raising Goal $15,000
 
Yes you guessed it another life goal is to swim around Manhattan Island.  I have no idea how I will be able complete this swim.  I think it is about 28.5 miles, but I am going to try it.  However, if I get to 2012 cancer free I will figure it out somehow!!!  When I get out of the water after this one I know I will be tired.
 

That is me on the bike leg (112 miles) of the Great Flordian Ironman
race last year before starting chemotherapy.  Check out the
Livestrong riding jersey!!  You can see more exciting photos at the photo gallery page.
 
  
You Did It!! We raised $10,292 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation
Mighty Hamptons 2008.
My daughter Kelly (left) completed the race with me.