Team LIVESTRONG Spotlight: Team BlaineRidesOn

We’re highlighting some of the amazing individuals and teams that have made our events so special, and who do incredible work fundraising to support LIVESTRONG’s cancer programs and services.

Team Name: Team BlaineRidesOn
Team Captain: Blaine Mauldin

LS: How have you been affected by cancer?

BM: I am a cancer survivor. Diagnosed in the fall of 2006 and have been cancer free since early 2007. I ordered the LIVESTRONG handbook shortly after diagnosis and used it throughout my personal experience with cancer.

LS: Tell us about your Team? What inspired the name? Do you have a team motto?

BM: Our Team Mission: We ride, run and fundraise to celebrate & empower cancer survivors, honor & support those currently battling this terrible disease and remember loved ones we have lost.

We are a close-knit group of individuals & families dedicated to supporting those affected by cancer. Some of us are survivors, many of us have lost loved ones to the disease and all of us have chosen to come together and fight back.

We participate in events and fundraisers throughout the year at many different capacities. Our efforts help endow health & prevention programs, scientific research towards cancer-combating drugs and clinical trials. We heighten our attention, efforts and fundraising towards foundations (like LIVESTRONG) focused on realistic and thoughtful support for cancer survivors & their families. We cannot cure cancer, or raise enough money do to so, but are determined to make a difference in the fight against this terrible disease.

We are a growing family of cyclists, runners, triathletes, fundraisers, volunteers, advocates, supporters and so much more.

LS: How many years has your team been participating in the LIVESTRONG Challenge?

BM: We have been participating in LIVESTRONG Challenge events since the 2008 Challenge in San Jose (multiple times). Since then, we have participated in the Davis (multiple times), Seattle & Philly Challenges. Have been to the Ride for the Roses 6 times. And have done Escape from Alcatraz twice through the partnered event opportunity. We have also hosted our own TEAM BlaineRidesOn Challenge bike ride multiple times to fundraise for LIVESTRONG and have done LIVESTRONG Day Spin Class fundraisers multiple times.

LS: What are some of your favorite parts of the LIVESTRONG Challenge?

Each LIVESTRONG Challenge event is like a family reunion as we have gained so many very close friends throughout our participation at these events and trips.
The rest stops are always a great opportunity to meet and refuel. My favorite rest stop was the Shiner Bock stop towards the end of the Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge/Ride for the Roses route which was set up out there close to the finish for many years.

LS: What does LIVESTRONG mean to you?

BM: These words of the Manifesto is what LIVESTRONG means to me…“We believe in life…We believe in living every minute of it with every ounce of your being. And that you must not let cancer take control of it…”

The most difficult time of my cancer experience was after my treatment was over and remission began…I didn’t know what to do, or how to live the rest of my life. This is where LIVESTRONG gave me direction, opportunities and inspiration to live the life I always wanted and deserved. For that, I am eternally grateful to the foundation and the work we do together.

LS: What is one Fundraising tactic that has been successful to you/your team?

BM: Hosting different events where anybody can participate, volunteer, donate and/or make a donation so a cancer survivor can participate for free. Making sure there is always a way someone can contribute to an event gets more people involved/invested…If people can’t make it but can donate, we find a cancer survivor who gets honored and can participate for free. If someone can’t donate, maybe they can bake cookies or volunteer to help at the event.

LS: Share one piece of advice you would give someone struggling to fundraise?

BM: I always tell people to show their commitment to an event/fundraiser/foundation. Own it, live it, talk about it, share your journey on social media, write a blog, make it know why you are doing it…all without asking for anything. Then, in my experience, if you really do this, you will find there are as many people asking you when & how they can donate, rather than you having to reach out to others for the ask.

LS: Share one piece of advice you would give someone affected by cancer?

BM: My advice would be, no matter how good, bad or ugly things may get, remember to be true to yourself keep your identity throughout the journey. Remain who you are and do your best to define your experience with the disease…Never let it define who you are.