12:53:43 !!! That's how long it took me to complete Ironman Arizona!!!

Greetings and happy holidays to all, post race recovery is going very well. I took just two days off after the race, and then started running and cycling again. All in all, I feel great, and I'm happy to have survived with little wear and tear on my body (except for that 9-inch laceration on my back -- read the story!).

A great many thanks to all of you who have donated to the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation -- and in some cases multiple times! I once again must say that I'm truly humbled by your continued generosity especially given our tough economic climate.

I'm currently at $14,450 still shy of my $20,000 goal. This is my final appeal to help me reach my goal to fund CVDF's Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids program. If you haven't already donated (or if you wish to add to your original amount), please do so soon. Its simple and easy via my secure online fundraising site. Or perhaps you know a neighbor or friend who would like to join in our fight against cardiovascular disease -- please forward this e-mail to them.

Well its been one heck of an amazing journey. Thanks for sticking with me through the months. Have a very, very safe and happy holiday season and I'll see you in the New Year!!!

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!
Don Lopez

Proceeds benefit the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization; tax ID #: 05-0536041

Don is a 38 year-old Carlsbad resident and devoted husband and father. He swims, bikes, and runs to improve his health, while sending a strong message to anyone listening. After recuperating from two heart attacks, Don became a triathlete and an advocate for educating people on the importance of taking care of their hearts early in life. He chooses to support the youth health and wellness education program offered by the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation.

As a teenager, Don was aware of his family’s high-risk cardiac history. However, he really didn’t think much of it. And like most teens, he adopted a ‘this won’t affect me’ attitude. His life was pretty normal -- he played sports, hung out at the beach with friends, fell in love with his high-school sweetheart, Karen, and went off to college. Don and Karen were married in 1993 and they now have two children, Sofia (7) and Mateo (4).

Early one morning in December 2003, Don had a heart attack. He was rushed to the ER and prepared for emergency cardiac catheterization to remove a complete blockage in his right coronary artery. Then, in September 2006, he experienced a second heart attack. These events left Don with permanent damage, resulting in a weak heart, only capable of pumping blood at a fraction of the rate of a normal heart.

“There isn’t anything I can do to turn back time,” says Don. “I take my medication and get plenty of exercise. The most important thing I can do now is to make sure my kids are aware of the importance of good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle. Karen and I enjoy spending time with our kids being active outdoors. We also teach our kids about heart-healthy foods. My 4-year old son already looks at food labels and asks, ‘Daddy, how much percent fat is in this?’ I only wish every child were so aware.”

To celebrate his recovery and raise ‘heart healthy’ awareness, Don is competing in several triathlon events leading up to his ultimate goal of completing Ironman Arizona on November 23rd, 2008. What is an Ironman? Try this on for size: 2.4 miles of swimming, followed by 112 miles of biking, followed by 26.2 miles of running! To prepare, he has been training with the Triathlon Club of San Diego.

Planned Event Schedule:
•Sunday Jun 29, Blazeman Olympic Triathlon, Huntington Beach
•Sat. July 19, Camp Pendleton Olympic Triathlon
•Sun. Aug. 17, America’s Finest City Half Marathon, San Diego
•Sun. Sept. 7, Big Kahuna Half Ironman Triathlon, Santa Cruz
•Sun. Nov. 23, Ironman Arizona , Tempe, AZ

Read more about HHHK at http://www.cvdf.org/hhhk.asp

To donate with a check please make checks payable to CVD Foundation and mail to:
CVD Foundation
3088 Pio Pico Dr. #202
Carlsbad, CA 92008
*memo Don Lopez on checks