In case you are wondering about the title, that’s one I came up with years ago for e-bay with everything else associated with my real name was taken. But, I am a jogging mommy and THIS is my story:
When Paula first talked about doing a race for a fundraiser, I assumed it would be local. I enjoy running for exercise, though I am not particularly fast. I have completed 4 marathons and 1 half-marathon, but still find it hard to call myself a runner. It was a natural fit that the Carters would want to participate in the Disney World Marathon, since Scott loved Disney and they are pretty much a Disney family. I really wanted to go and support the cause, but I knew it wasn’t in the cards for me to take my whole family this year, and I was VERY nervous about raising the money.
I twisted my good friend’s arm (Kim), and she agreed to join me on the venture. Setting up a fundraising page was very easy. The site we used to register walked me through the whole thing. The next thing I should have done was emailed my friends and family. However, I was too chicken to do that. Instead, I posted a link on Facebook and thought I would see if I could raise anything. Daniel and I had already agreed we would just pay for the trip if it was impossible to fundraise. I was NOT going to be begging friends for money.
Within minutes of posting it to Facebook, the good Lord provided. I was halfway to my goal. I couldn’t believe it. The people that gave were not the people I thought might give. Most were unlikely suspects that wouldn’t have been on my list had I sent that email. I was so shocked and so touched by their generosity, that I have made my own little vow: every time someone fundraises for a charity on Facebook I’m giving, even if it’s just $25. Over the course of 4 months I posted the link 2 more times. I raised over the amount necessary. It was so easy!
We went back and did some analyzing. My average donation was $100. It didn’t require some big donor. Kim’s average donation was $50. It was easy and I never had to beg.
I hope you will consider running next year. Please don’t let the fundraising scare you away. There’s nothing to it, especially if you have a Facebook account.
That's Kim in the front on the far right and I am sitting next to her.
Next year’s Disney World Marathon Weekend is January 10-13, 2013. Mark your calendar now and make plans to run either the half-marathon, full marathon or relay!
Amanda Herrold
The Walt Disney World Marathon weekend was a huge success. The Scott Carter Foundation had a great team.
We even had cheeleaders!
While most of us ran the half marathon, we did have one crazy team member who took the Goofy Challenge. She ran the half marathon on Saturday and then ran the full marathon on Sunday. Our hats are definitely off to Jessica!
It was such a great weekend. We stayed at the Polynesian Resort right across from the Magic Kingdom. We enjoyed the pasta dinner on Thursday night and the Hoop De Doo Review on Saturday night. The best part of this event was raising over $20,000 for children’s cancer research. Each participant was able to raise at least $1500, and some went over and above. What a success for our first year.
We are already planning to participate next year so lace up your shoes and plan to join us next January!
If you are unable to come on the Disney trip with us, please consider supporting one of our runners. Below are links to some of their fundraising pages:
Hollywood is coming to Holland Hall! On Saturday, October 29, 2011 the world wide movie premiere of the “The Wayman Tisdale Story” will take place at the Walter Arts Center at Holland Hall. The film celebrates the life and legacy of three time All-American, Gold Medal Olympian, NBA Star, World Renowned Jazz musician and Tulsan, Wayman Tisdale. The event is free and open to the public.
“The Wayman Tisdale Story” features never before seen interviews with Wayman Tisdale as he tells his own life story from childhood to his battle with Cancer. The film also features interviews with Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins, Toby Keith, Marcus Miller, Dave Koz, A.C. Green, Jonathan Butler, Steve McKeever, Billy Tubbs and the Tisdale family. Emmy nominated documentary director Brian Schodorf produced and directed the film and will be speaking at the premiere. The Los Angeles Times says “The Wayman Tisdale Story is a must-see film for all audiences.” View the trailer here: http://www.mackavenue.com/artists/detail/wayman_tisdale/
The Scott Carter Foundation is excited to join forces with filmmaker Brian Schodorf to host the first public screening of “The Wayman Tisdale Story“. The event will be just like a Hollywood premiere–complete with a red carpet, photo ops, and the viewing of the hour long documentary. “The Wayman Tisdale Story” has been featured in multiple film festivals and has won numerous awards. It also features the song “Cryin’ for Me” which was written and performed as a tribute to Tisdale by Toby Keith.
Have you been on the fence about running a half marathon or full marathon? It’s not too late to register for The Scott Carter Foundation Disney Marathon. We still have spots available for runners and rooms are still available at our discounted rate. Don’t want to run, but want to come cheer on our runners? We have room for you too!
Don’t let the fact that you have to run scare you away. The Disney website has a guide to a beginning runner’s week by week schedule. You can start now!!!
The 2011 Big Show was a tremendous success! This year’s show was held at the Tulsa Southern Hills Marriott. Many thanks to the hotel and each worker who made this a smooth transition. The community showed overwhelming support once again to this event. We had 500 people attend this year’s show. Duke University Improv (DUI) once again provided the entertainment for the night. The DUI work hard year round entertaining the masses, all while raising money for The Scott Carter Foundation. We are so thankful for their support and generosity. In addition to a new venue, we formed a small auction committee who helped secure donations to ensure the continued success of the auction. Auction committee members included: Erin Carter, Shelley Carter, Kelcie Englebrecht, Jacelyn Ferguson, Allison Foster, Whitney Heldebrand, Alissa Hurley, Allison Jones, Sarah List, Julee Mabrey, Kim Sutton, and Amanda Herrold. Special thanks to our fabulous auction chairs Shelley Carter and Alissa Hurley. 
All in all, The Big Show, in combination with our golf tournament, raised over $100,000. Monies donated will be used to fund research to fulfill Scott’s dream of finding a cure for cancer. If you missed this great event, it’s never too late to donate online!
Special thanks to Lori Zeller with Lori Zeller Photography for donating her time and services to The Scott Carter Foundation. You can see more great pics from this event in our gallery.
You probably think that anyone who commits to run in a marathon is a big dummy! That’s absolutely false. Running in a marathon is such a great accomplishment. The feeling you get when you cross the finish line is worth every bit of blood, sweat and tears that went into the training. Not only can you cross something off of your bucket-list, but you can help raise money for The Scott Carter Foundation AND treat the family to a dream vacation all in one full swoop!
It’s my opinion that running a marathon is more mental than it is legs. One of the key elements to ensuring success is adhering to a training schedule. There are many variations of training guides available. I’ve attached one that is specific to beginner runners. Please note that it’s an 18 week schedule and we are just about 18 weeks out from the Disney Marathon so now is the time to get moving!
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions. Our registration is open and we can’t wait to see who will join us on this brand new venture. The Carter family has a great few days planned. Your entry fee includes:
3 nights for a family of 4 at the Polynesian Resort
a tour of Scott’s Sports Memorabilia Collection at Disney’s Wide World of Sports
pre-race Pasta Dinner
dinner with other SCF runners and families, to be hosted by the Carter family
discounted park tickets and so much more!
The Scott Carter Foundation is excited to announce that we are teaming up with the Walt Disney World Marathon to help raise money and bring awareness to the need for pediatric cancer research. Join us for a weekend of races that are as Magical as they are Memorable- from Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo to running through all four Theme Parks. Win medals of Mickey Mouse and his friends!
Save the dates of January 5-8 and lace up your shoes. Entry fee is $200 and participants will be asked to raise a minimum of $1500 for The Scott Carter Foundation Children’s Cancer Research.
Entry fee includes 3 nights accommodations for four at the Walt Disney Polynesian Resort plus so much more. Click here for more information!
From time to time we would like to provide you with updates on where Scott Carter Foundation fellows are now and what they are doing professionally. I am pleased to be able to update you on our very first SCF fellow, M. Fatih Okcu, M.D. Here is an update from Dr. Okcu in his very own words:
Since 2002 I have been working at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Cancer Center. In about 60-70% of my time I treat children and adolescents with brain and soft tissue tumors. In the rest of my time I conduct research to discover genetic markers to help us identify patients who might benefit from standard therapy and who would experience severe and permanent side effects after therapy. In one study we found that brain tumor patients who had gene variants for the enzymes that cleared free radicals (Glutathione s-Transferases) had more often and early cognitive impairment after brain radiation. These studies are still ongoing. My long term goal is to identify gene variants that we can use to develop some interventions to protect patients from side effects of therapy.
Junior Greek Life is a group of men and women that are new to Greek Life at Oklahoma State. The program is in place to identify and build leaders within the Greek system. Members are selected through an application and interview process. One of their main tasks is the Scott Carter Basketball Tournament in the Spring. They are in charge of marketing, advertising, operating, and attaining sponsorships for the event. Each fraternity and each sorority on campus have a team for the tournament; the players on each team get a t-shirt. At the end of the day we end up with a winner in both the men and women’s brackets.
Of course, we think the real winner is the Scott Carter Foundation. Money raised through this event is generously donated to the Scott Carter Foundation each year. The amount raised in this year’s tournament will be announced at The Big Show on August 27.
You can help us find a cure for osteosarcoma by making a donation to the Scott Carter Foundation.
Special thanks to Meaghan Hoose for the photos.
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