Welcome to the Team Vogel vs. Cancer Blog.  As we venture into our 5th year of fundraising, I wanted to take a moment to welcome all to the Team, and share a little about Team Vogel and our website.  For the regulars - please feel free to move on to the next section :).

Team Vogel vs Cancer began in 2010.  As Joe (my husband and best friend) was dealing with his cancer returning, he said to me, "Rach - we need gather all our support systems and do something for others."  This is where Joe's dream to "Pay it Forward" began.  To learn more about Joe's Journey select this link.

Joe was able to see the first Team Vogel vs Cancer Fundraiser happen in 2010 - he was able to see his dream take shape.  This dream has now become a community's way to "Pay it Forward".  

In the past 4 years we've been able to reach out to 34 families dealing with cancer, support a patient fund at Franciscan Skemp and cancer research at Gundersen Lutheran.  Together we've been able to raise over $170,000.

2014...our 5th year...We welcome 21 families to Team Vogel and all of their supporters.  This year is going to be BIG :).

As we gear up for different events, we invite you to visit our 2014 Events page.  All funds raised at the various events go to support the selected families.  And everyone is welcome to join in!

We conclude our fundraising efforts for the season with the "Big" fundraiser in June.  This year the 5th Annual Team Vogel vs. Cancer Fundraiser will be held on June 21, 2014.  This is a time to show support for all - whether you come to bid on the silent auction items, run / walk the race, play a game or two of softball, toss a few bean bags... or just come to enjoy the day.  Hoping you can make it.

Last - before I venture into other updates about upcoming events, if you wish to be on the Team Vogel vs. Cancer Email List - please click this link and sign up (YOU WILL NEED TO SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO SIGN UP).  You will receive an update email when I post on the blog and you will also receive updates about Team Vogel Events.

Oh and one more note...Please take a moment to look around the website, for there are resource links, pictures from past events, and more.

Please feel free to reach out to me - Rachel, with any questions you may have - TeamVogelvsCancer@gmail.com.

And this is really the last piece - the blog.  I utilize the blog to keep people up to date with different events and also share my journey.  Somedays writing on the blog is my therapy...somedays it is a place to share a funny story...somedays I share things to try and help someone else trying to find their way.

Welcome to the Team.

The 4th Annual Team Vogel vs. Cancer Golf Outing is almost here.  There are 4 team spots open.  If you are interested in participating please contact 
Jeff at TeamVogelGolf@hotmail.com or call (507) 313-9612.  

Rain or shine - it is always a good day on the course (coming from the gal who gets to stay in the club house :))  Hoping this year will bring us sunshine and good weather.

I would like to thank all the businesses who have already agreed to sponsor a hole at this years event.  THANK YOU - Fastenal, Winona Bowl, McDonald Eye Care Associates, MCC, Bloedow's Bakery, Lakeview Drive Inn, Bub's Brewing Co., Foley & Mansfield, Line Drive, Edward Jones--Stacey Bartelson, Keller Williams Premier Realty, Muddy Hands, Frito Lay, Waterfront Family Dentistry, Bay State Milling, Fifth Street Liquor, and Jefferson Pub & Grill.

If you are interested in sponsoring a hole, there is still time and we would love to have you.  (Please contact Jeff with any questions or interest in the hole sponsorship.)

And the winning team from 2013 with a score or 59...Will they repeat in 2014?

Please take a moment to read more on Matt's Challenge.  It is an honor to share in Matt's celebration of 5 years.

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to come sample a few adult beverages.  The 3rd Annual Joe's B-day Brew Review was a success - and for once we were grateful for the rainy weather and sports cancelations (allowing some parents to come sample instead of cheer).

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen!  

And the best way to recap an event...pictures.

It is hard to believe this will be Joe's 4th birthday not here.  We loved birthdays and would always try to do something fun.  Travel - gather the most amazing things for the other...  of course I would have already given Joe his present 2 weeks ago.  We had a hard time keeping surprises from one another.  Typically we would last about 45 mins. max.  Waiting until one's actual birthday was out of the question.

I find myself wondering what I would have given him this year and that makes me sad.  I haven't seen him in awhile - I know his heart is still the same, but I don't know if his interests are...  I am sure blue is still his color of choice and I know a puppy would have been the perfect birthday gift for 36...(OK - maybe that would be the perfect birthday gift for me :)).

Truly it's not even about the gift.  I just wish I could wake up tomorrow morning and sing my heart out to you...  The Happy Birthday Song with amazing morning breath (possibly a retainer still in) ...  I can remember you trying to look appreciative and lovingly at me - but in reality you were just wishing the song would end :).

Well Mr. Vogel - Happy Birthday to You.  I hope you celebrate in true fashion - and just for the record, Zoe and I will be singing our hearts out tomorrrow morning and I know you can still hear me :).

Signing off for the week.
-Rach

The Comb.  This past Sunday, I went to get in my car - which I forgot to pull into the garage the previous night... and possibly even left the keys in it.  Not my best move.  So the jeep was sitting in my driveway, waiting for me to get in and head to my Grandparent's for Easter.

When I opened the driver's side door, my eyes went to the floor mat...  There was a comb laying there.  It is not my comb.

My mind was a little puzzled, but I didn't think much of it until I started driving.  At that point it hit me...  Someone was in my car.  If I don't own this comb, someone had to have placed it in my car.

I continued my drive to my Grandparent's running through different possibilities...  Maybe someone thinks I need to comb my hair...  Maybe someone needed to borrow my mirror in the middle of the night...  Maybe someone knows this would really bother me - not knowing how the comb got there...

I called a couple friends that are sometimes around my house and asked if they knew anything about this comb.  They did not - and I think I may have them a little concerned about my mental health after questioning them about the comb.

So - here's the comb.  Do you know how this got in my jeep?

Any help in this situation would be truly appreciated.  If you have information  on where this comb came from - please call Comb-Stoppers...Ok that is taking it a little too far.  You can just call me :).

Hoping all of you had an enjoyable weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at the Brew Review on Thursday.

Cheers!
-Rach

The 3rd Annual Joe's B-day Brew Review is just around the corner.  If you are a beer person - or just wanting to come socialize with some fun people and help support Team Vogel - Pay it Forward...  
The Brew Review is for You!

To purchase a ticket please contact - 
Deb at debmcclellan@charter.net

As the family nomination deadline has past, we are now working to reach out to all the nominators and families.

I am sad to announce the number of families this year - for it breaks my heart to know how many people are touched by cancer. 

I choose to redirect my thoughts and think of how many families we can show we care about them!

This is the 5th year for Team Vogel vs Cancer - and It's Gonna be BIG and we need all of you!

We've selected 21 families from the Winona Area to be recipients of the funds raised for this season.  (We will also give to the Oasis Fund at Franciscan Skemp and Cancer Research at Gundersen Lutheran).

Although I wish my path did not cross, with these families, for this reason - it is an honor to show them the love and support of Team Vogel.

This past weekend was the Fools Five event in Lewiston.  It is always an amazing turnout, but sometimes the weather can be a little stubborn.  This year - the weather was wonderful (a heavy breeze for the runners) but the sun was out.

It's an amazing opportunity - if you have not participated, I highly recommend you mark it on your calendar this year.

In the past years - I've ran the 8K...  This year I walked the 1 mile with my family (I say I decided to do this for it's suppose to be a family event.  It possibly had something to do with my lack of training and fearing I would be found on the side of the road around mile 3).  Needless to say - I finished my 1 mile race with a time of 31 mins. and 6 seconds.  I got stopped a couple times by people - I promise!  It was the first time I got to see the 8K winners cross the finish line - THEY PASSED ME!

Now - the Fools Five through Rach's pictures...

Alright - last week I discussed that I was a list maker.  After the blog posted, my cousin sent me an amazing link / idea.  Instead of making a "To Do List" - maybe we should make a "To Done List".  

Why focus on the things that have not been completed and may not be completed...  Celebrate the things that did get completed by writing them on a "To Done List" and then placing the all important check next to it.

I am still smiling at this idea.  I LOVE IT!  I even used it with my students at school this week.  It truly has been a refreshing change.

Believe -
Rach

It's that TIME!  The 3rd Annual Brew Review is here.  Plans are in place - beers are being selected - and tickets are now available.  If you would like to purchase a ticket or sell tickets, please contact -

Deb McClellan at debmcclellan@charter.net.

As we venture into our 5th year of fundraising for Team Vogel, we thought what better way to make it special...bring out Joe's Believe.  This years beer tasting glasses are shown above featuring Joe's handwriting and the word he lived by.  He believed while he was here and he believed in all of us to embrace the "Pay it Forward" way. 

This past weekend I was hanging out with some good friends and we were discussing life and a little of everything.  As the discussion continued on, I made the comment that there never seems to be enough time to complete a  list...  

I am a list maker and love to cross things off the list.  I do stress when I am not able to complete my list - not always a good stress either.

My one friend said - why make lists?  They never are complete anyways.  Why not do what you can and allow for time to just relax or hang out with people...

Interesting concept.  I have been trying to be better about this.  I am trying to stop working on the list and kick back a little.  I am not ready to give up the lists yet - for I'm fearful I will completely forget what I need to do, but I'm trying to leave at the end of the day without things crossed off.

And just for the record - I tried to make lists / reminders on my smart phone...  It was extremely unsatisfying.  I am back to old school - paper and pencil.  Slashing through a task completed with the pencil is AMAZING and doodling on the side of the list when I lose focus...  Sorry phone - you are amazing, but not for lists.

And the post-it note...You are amazing too.

Off to work on today - 
Rach