1. Qualcomm Million
Dollar Challenge
2009 - San
Francisco to San
Diego,
October 17-23,
7 days, 620 Miles
The text in this document was written by Richard Whittington and is no way representative of any official CAF position or statements but
is written by the author using information believed to be true and accurate. Individuals are urged to contact the CAF directly for
clarification on CAF as an organization at the address provided in this document or at http://www.challengedathletes.org

2. What is the event?
• It is a 620 Mile bike ride from San Francisco to San Diego, CA
over 7 days in October to benefit Challenged Athletes
• The ride covers some of the most scenic and challenging terrain
on the California coast, visiting cites and areas such as:
– Day 1 - Santa Cruz - 86 miles
– Day 2 - Big Sur – 86 miles
– Day 3 - San Luis Obispo -114 miles
– Day 4 - Santa Barbara – 119 miles
– Day 5 – Marina Del Ray – 89 miles
– Day 6 – Newport Beach – 53 miles
– Day 7 – San Diego – 72 miles
• Each of the 100 Participants agrees to raise a minimum of
$10,000 for the Challenged Athletes Foundation
http://www.challengedathletes.org
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 2
07/15/09

3. Why is this a challenge?
• The ride attracts a diverse group of participants and each will have their own
challenges completing this – what others have said, is a life changing event
• These challenges will range from the physical effort of doing the long ride, the
complexity and challenges with raising the sponsorship, balancing time on the
bike for 20 weeks to get ready with work, life and family. But these are
relatively minor compared to those that we seek to help
• You also can help:
For example if 100 of you that have 2 “Venti” lattes a week and switch to
“Tall” instead for a year that is almost $6000 that could be donated –
painlessly! That is close to 2 hand cycles for an athlete.
(Assumption: Venti $3.57 vs. Tall $3.00 - source: Wiki answers) – (2 lattes a week at price
difference of $0.57, 52 weeks a year x 100 people =$5,928!)
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 3
07/15/09

4. How do I give?
There are two main ways
3. On-line at the Richard Whittington donation site:
http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington
• Or by mail at – please make checks payable to “ C h a lle n g e d A t h le t e s
F o u n d a t io n - M D C . ” Checks made out to fundraisers, even if signed over to
CAF may not qualify as tax-deductions for donors.:
Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge
PO Box 910769
San Diego, CA 92191
Fax #: 858-866-0958
Remember too that many companies have a matching program
Non-Profit # 33-0739596 www.cyclemdc.com
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 4
07/15/09

5. What is CAF?
• It is the mission of CAF to provide opportunities and support to people with
physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles though physical
fitness and competitive athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at
any level increases self-esteem encourages independence and enhances
quality of life.
What Difference Does It Make?
• CAF has raised more than $19 million – allowing the Foundation to satisfy
almost 3,800 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and
dozens of countries.
• More than eighty five cents of every dollar raised by CAF provides funding,
special events and programs that get challenged athletes into the game.
• Whether it’s a $2,500 hand cycle, helping underwrite an Ossur carbon fiber
running foot not covered by insurance or arranging enthusiastic
encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar injury,
• At the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China 46 of the participating U.S.
athletes (21 percent) were supported by CAF.
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 5
07/15/09

6. • CAF Quick Facts
• Established: 1997
• First SDTC: 1994
• Funds Raised: More than $19 million
• Grants Distributed: More than 3,800
• Age of Grant Recipients: 5 - 69
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 6
07/15/09

7. What Are CAF’s Programs and who benefits?
CAF supports physically challenged athletes through four principal programs:
• Access for Athletes – Provides direct funding and support for training,
competition and equipment needs to physically challenged athletes.
• Operation Rebound – Provides post-rehabilitation support and
mentorship to American military personnel, veterans and first responders
who suffered traumatic injuries resulting in a permanent physical
disability.
• Catch a Rising Star – A fitness and mentoring program that helps
physically challenged people take the first step towards full, active
lifestyles.
• Reach High – Conducts outreach to inspire and educate our
communities by showing “what is possible” for challenged athletes.
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 7
07/15/09

8. Who are the athletes? - The Challenged athletes represent a
diverse set of people
• Some were born with physical challenges to overcome that many of
us can not begin to imagine
• Some have paid a very high price for serving our country and are at
a very young age, having to re-build their previously active lives
• Others, through a result of accidents or life changing illness have
found themselves taking their lives in a different direction
• BUT ALL share a love of being active, a willingness to put aside
personal suffering and needs and a spirit that won’t quit – it is for
that reason we ride and ask you to think about supporting!
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 8
07/15/09

9. Representative Athlete 1: Rudy Garcia-Tolson
• Rudy lives by a simple motto: A Brave Heart is a Powerful Weapon. He was
born with rare, multiple birth defects – a combination of crippling Pterygium
Syndrome, a clubfoot, webbed fingers on both hands, and a cleft lip and
palate. His legs would not straighten from the knee and he was forced to
crawl or push himself in a wheelchair.
• At age five, after 15 operations, he told his parents he wanted to move on; he
would rather be a double amputee than continue to put up with what his life
had become. He had both legs removed above the knee … and he's never
looked back.
• The loss of his legs marked the beginning of his life, a life without limits. When
Rudy was eight years old, he told the world he would swim in the 2004
Paralympic Games. He was true to his word and brought home the Gold in the
200 Meter IM, while shattering the world record for his class.
• Rudy continues to swim as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Elite Team.
Through his example, Rudy has helped CAF raise more than $16 million to
ensure his challenged peers have the same opportunities he did.
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 9
07/15/09

10. Representative Athlete 2: Sarah Reinertsen
• Sarah was born with her left leg deformed by a condition called
proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD), Sarah wore a stiff, cumbersome
leg brace until she was seven. At that point, the decision was made to
amputate.
• After the operation, Sarah tried to be like all her friends; she was a Brownie. She was
a great student with a smile that lit up a room. But
she could never overcome being “different”. And nowhere was that more
apparent than in gym class.. She was picked last for teams. Teachers and coaches
refused to include her in regular play, instead, Sarah would kick a ball against the
wall. Alone.
• Life changed for Sarah when, at age 11, she competed in her first disabled track
meet. Today, Sarah focuses on triathlons, where she has broken new ground and
gone where no amputee woman has attempted before – the Ironman Triathlon World
Championship in Hawaii (a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run.) In 2005.
• Sarah became the first woman to finish this grueling test on an artificial leg, finishing
in a remarkable 15:05.
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 10
07/15/09

11. Representative Athlete 3: Major David Rozelle
• Major David Rozelle, a below-knee amputee, is an icon, resource and
inspirational figure for American soldiers injured in recent conflicts abroad.
While in Iraq, commanding 140 troops of the 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment, Maj. Rozelle lost part of his right leg when a landmine exploded
under his Humvee.
• After completing his rehabilitation, Major Rozelle made the decision to
return to active duty and to the same battlefield – the first American soldier
to do so in modern times.
• After participating in the 2004 San Diego Triathlon Challenge, Maj. Rozelle
became a proud supporter of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).
He serves as a role model and mentor in CAF’s Operation Rebound
program. He recently represented the Challenged Athletes Foundation at
the Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene and was recognized with the Ford Ironman
Everyday Hero Award.
• Rozelle was driven to conquer the Ironman Triathlon World Championship
in Kona – an important goal he set for himself to prove that he’s not only
“back in action,” but back with a purpose. In Hawaii he went over an hour
faster than his qualifying time with a 12:46:26.
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 11
07/15/09

12. Representative Athlete 4: Jake Frank
• Jake Frank was born with a rare condition that left him unable to
walk. Searching for a way to help their son, his parents, found
hope after watching Oprah Winfrey interview Rudy Garcia-Tolson
and realized it was very possible for their son to lead a normal,
active life. Inspired after seeing Rudy.
• Jake’s parents made the most important decision in his young
life: amputate both legs above the knee and have him fitted with
high-tech prosthetics that would allow him to participate in sports.
• Today, nine year old Jake is a multi-sport competitor, as a
wrestler , swimmer, He also rides his bike, shoots archery, and
plays baseball, basketball, golf, and runs.
• In 2005, Jake was named CAF’s Rising Star award winner for his
level of commitment, dedication and focus to meet an athletic
goal. Now his goal is to complete the entire 13.1 mile run portion
of the San Diego Triathlon Challenge.
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 12
07/15/09

13. Representative Athlete 5: Trish Downing
• Trish was training in Golden, CO when she was hit by a car and
suffered a T-4 spinal injury. Her back was broken, but not her
spirit. Trish’s experience working with challenged athletes gave
her faith that everything would be okay.
• Trish understands that her accident was not an end, but a new
beginning. Determined to live life on her terms, Trish turned her
misfortune into opportunity, She has competed in a wide variety
of triathlons, from sprint to Iron distance, is a member of the
Physically Challenged National Triathlon team and competed in
the World Triathlon Championships and the Hawaii Ironman
World Championship.
• She was named USA Triathlon’s Physically Challenged Athlete
of the Year for 2003. In 2005, she became the first wheelchair
racer to compete in and finish the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike,
and 26.2-mile run of the Redman Ironman Triathlon in Oklahoma
City, OK.
• She is a spokesperson for the Challenged Athletes Foundation
and mentors to other recently injured athletes. Now as a
professional speaker, she hopes to share her message of how
strength, courage, and perseverance.
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 13
07/15/09

14. How do I give?
There are two main ways
3. On-line at the Richard Whittington donation site:
http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington
• Or by mail at – please make checks payable to “ C h a lle n g e d A t h le t e s
F o u n d a t io n - M D C . ” a n d a t t a c h t h e f o r m o n t h e n e x t
p a g e - Checks made out to fundraisers, even if signed over to CAF may not qualify
as tax-deductions for donors.:
Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge
PO Box 910769
San Diego, CA 92191
Fax #: 858-866-0958
Remember too that many companies have a matching program
Non-Profit # 33-0739596 www.cyclemdc.com
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 14
07/15/09

15. Hard Copy Donation Page
Adobe Acrobat
Document
Richard Whittington donation site: http://mdc2009.kintera.org/richard_whittington Page : 15
07/15/09