2012 MISSION OF HONOR AND HOPE:
FIREFIGHTER ROBERT VERHELST
TO BREAK GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
140.6 at a time - To Honor and Remember, and to Raise Funds for Our Cause
Contribute to our cause at: www.active.com/donate/Code3ForACureFound
Madison, Wisconsin Firefighter Robert Verhelst will bring out the spirit of hero in America and the world in 2012 when he surpasses the current Guinness World Record for number of ironman distance triathlons completed in a one-year period. The current record holder, Steffaan Engels of Belgium, completed 20 in 2008. Robert will achieve 27 in 2012. See the 2012 Mission and World Record schedule.
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 for our cause. Thus, he has set an impressive goal, and dedicated himself, to achieving 27 ironman triathlon events in 2012, breaking the Guinness World Record, with a two-fold purpose: to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11, and to help raise the funds necessary for our Foundation to launch into full operation. (Although we have been successful in completing our Annual Mission of Honor and Hope each year, we have not yet reached our goal of providing financial assistance to firefighters diagnosed with cancer who are facing a financial hardship. Read about cancer's effect on firefighters.) Once we launch into full operation, 80% of our funds will go to firefighters who are suffering financially because of cancer, 10% to other nonprofits fighting the war on cancer, and 10% to our operating costs. This will understandably require a large and well established fund, as well as reliable sources of income. Thus, we have set a minimum initial income target goal of $625,000 in order to accomplish this goal.
Our 2012 Mission of Honor and Hope will follow Robert to his various ironman triathlon events across the United States and beyond. It is our hope that America and the world will stand behind Robert as he works to raise funds for our cause through his incredible achievement of 27 ironman distance triathlons in one year.
We are thankful and proud that Robert, an 11-year Madison, WI Firefighter and United States Air Force veteran, has become such a tremendous ambassador for our cause, and in fact is now a member of our Board of Directors. Robert is a pillar of strength, a living monument, who signifies the true American spirit of hope and honor. Says Robert, "Your strength is in your passion." He is living proof.
Join our mission in 2012 by cheering Robert on at any of the triathlon events listed below. You can also express your support for Robert by contributing to our cause at:
www.active.com/donate/Code3ForACureFound
2012 MISSION & WORLD RECORD SCHEDULE
January 8 - HITS Naples, FL
February 19 - HITS Corpus Christi, TX
March 25 - HITS Ocala, FL
April 15 - HITS Napa Valley, CA
April 29 - HITS Marble Falls, TX
May 5 - Ironman St. George, UT
May 19 - Ironman Woodlands, TX
June 10 - HITS Hunter Mountain, NY
June 24 - Ironman Coeur d'Alene, ID
July 1 - Epic Dartmouth, Canada
July 22 - Ironman Lake Placid, NY
July 28 - Vineman Santa Rosa, CA
August 11 - Ironman New York, NY
August 19 - Ironman Quebec, Canada
August 26 - Ironman Louisville, KY
September 1 - The Canadian, Ottawa, Canada
September 9 - Ironman Madison, WI
September 23 - HITS Cooperstown, NY
September 29 - ChesapeakeMan, MD
October 7 - HITS Traverse City, MI
October 13 - Ironman Kona, HI
October 20 - Beach2Battleship, Wilmington, NC
November 3 - Ironman Florida (Panama City)
November 11 - HITS Lake Havasu
City, AZ
November 18 - Ironman Arizona (Tempe)
November 27 - Ironman Cozumel, Mexico
December 2 - HITS Palm Springs, CA
Follow Robert at www.firemanrob.com
MEDIA COVERAGE OF ROBERT VERHELST
AND THE 9/11/11 IRONMAN WISCONSIN
Television News Coverage of the Event
Article by Kevin Mackinnon, Ironman
CELIN DION'S message in support of Robert's efforts
Article by Portland Fire and Rescue Posted by FDNN
Article by Marlene Gantt, Quad-Cities Online
Article by Ariel Sandler, Business Insider
Article by Brennan Nardi, Madison Magazine
Article on Racine Event - Wisconsin Radio Network