Shaun's Weight Loss Challenge for Charity

Dear Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Clients,

I have decided to endure a 90-day weight loss journey to make some drastic changes in order to my health back on the right track. After having my first hip replacement at the early age of 42, my ability to enjoy the active lifestyle I had enjoyed for so long suddenly diminished to walking and swimming (both very boring to me). A few years later I would have 2 more replacements on the same hip.

I went through a very long rehabilitation period that led to even more weight gain, at the same time as I was starting and building my own company. I poured my heart and soul into building the business, which requires a lot of client entertaining at restaurants. This resulted in weight gain, a significant rise in my blood pressure, and increased cholesterol levels.

My personal health became an afterthought. Recently, I decided to focus on making some important changes. My doctor told me of a program at Houston Methodist Hospital which is a 90-day liquid-only diet regimen. It has an 85% success rate but requires discipline and a lot of support. That is where you come in.

I have been on the program since January 2nd and have set a goal for myself of losing 65 lbs. by April 1. I’ve decided, with the encouragement of Natalie at the Boomer Esiason Foundation, to launch this ‘Weight Loss Challenge for Charity’ campaign to motivate myself to continue to push through the next several weeks, and raise money for an incredible cause.

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HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

So far I’ve lost 31.5 lbs in the last 30 days. I have 60 days to lose another 35 lbs. and the next 35 lbs. is supposed to be the hardest. Since I’m the type of guy who enjoys a challenge and probably in this case I need as much support as possible, I decided to make this an incentive-based charity drive. You can pledge a donation for every pound I lose by the first week of April. My goal is to lose 35 lbs. For example, if you pledge $1 per pound lost and I lose 35 pounds your $1 pledge will equal a $35 donation.

You can support my campaign in two ways:

1. Pledge any dollar amount for every pound I lose
2. Make a flat donation

I chose the Boomer Esiason Foundation because when I lived in New York, I would listen to Boomer and Carton in the morning and heard about all of his charity endeavors over the years. Their impact has alway stayed with me.

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$20,000 MATCHING DONATION

If I hit my fundraising goal, I will make a $20,000 donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. My mother-in-law has been fighting the disease since the day I met her 16 years ago and I feel it would be a great way to show my love and respect for what she has been dealing with and her ability to face her daily challenges with a smile. Hopefully, I will be able to raise some money and draw awareness to both foundations.

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THANK YOU

Remember, if I fail, the charities I want to help fail too. Thanks for visiting my fundraising page and hopefully you will make me work for it!

Sincerely,

Shaun W.