Help from long-time, forum friends

[Merrymeeting]

Hi,

I've been a member of this forum almost since it began. I've met many nice people through the forums, some in person at Forum Fests, but most through the anonymity of member names. I normally don't want the spotlight, but I'm making an exception as I'm hoping for some help from my long-time, forum friends.

My wife, Lyn, has always dreamed of attending The Kentucky Derby. There is an opportunity for her to do so in a way that would have incredible meaning for her. But it requires votes...lots of them. Hence my request for help.

You can read her story here, http://survivors.kentuckyderby.com/survivors/1863

If you are so moved, I'd ask you to help by voting early and often. It appears it will take a lot of votes to be considered. Feel free to forward or share far and wide. You can vote every day.

Make it a part of your routine. Shower, coffee, and vote for Lyn! They track the votes by IP address, so you can actually vote twice (or more!) if you vote from home, work, coffee shop, etc.

And thanks in advance to any who vote, whether we make it or not.

[Jersey Bob]

Good luck and hopefully she will get there.

[ishoot308]

And I hope she wins big at the derby!! :)

Dan

[BroadHopper]

I wish them well.

[Airedale1]

More than happy to help. I just voted for her and will again tomorrow and every other day. My wife is also a survivor. God bless you both and best of luck.

[Not to Worry]

Good luck.

[Cindido]

I will vote for Lyn each and everyday & pray her dream come true!
My sister is a survivor <3

[salty dog]

You have our votes. And I'll make sure I add to them. Best of luck!

[Winopt]

I had the pleasure of attending the Kentucky Derby once. The weekend event was a blast. I have voted for her to go and will continue to vote. Good luck!

[Lakemamma]

Well you have all of my votes. I have passed this along to so many of friends and they will also pass it along. Thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

[SteveA]

I'll be voting everyday.. good luck!

[VitaBene]

202 and climbing...

[Irish Choppers]

Make that 203 Vita

[riverat]

Voted and shared. Lyn has our votes and heartfelt prayers.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Voted and I will pass this on to my thoroughbred racing family.
Good luck Lyn and Carpe Diem!

Somewhere in my message is the name of this years "Run For The Roses" winner!;)

[smith point boater]

Voted and will continue to do so until you say otherwise

Good Luck

[olde nh]

on it. rinse repeat

[Island Girl]

I forget everything so constant reminders (sticky thread?) will help me vote each day.

IG aka another Carolyn

[Merrymeeting]

I knew I could depend on this wonderful circle of friends! Thanks to all!

We’re off to a great start. Over 200 votes in the first day. Based on a random sampling, I figure we need ten times that to even compete. Please keep it up.

I’ve received a lot of questions offline. I will try to answer for all here.

• Please VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN, especially those who have, thankfully, shared the page. While running errands yesterday, I was able to vote 4-5 times while on different wi-fi hotspots.

• If you have a smart phone, you can easily vote twice, once when phone is on wi-fi, once with wi-fi off and using cell network.

• The prize is the honor of walking in a parade at The Oaks race on the day before The Derby. If we win, we’ll still need to get there, find lodging, and hopefully get to The Derby the next day. But the experience will be wonderful if we get in. There is an FAQ page if you want to learn more.

Thanks again to all for your support!

[Tired of Waiting]

Merry M.

I am going to post this on another forum that I belong to. I think it will increase the votes. The folks on the other forum are all in for this type of thing.

ToW

[upthesaukee]

...only read this thread once per day.

After you open it on any given day, go to the first post, click on the link, vote, and then close it down.

During the rest of the day, resist the temptation to open the thread, and it will remain in your older posts, but not read area in the list of "new" posts. Next day, open it up...

Voila!:)

[Dnm3]

Lovely story. Wish you both well.

[Steveo]

Happy to vote but it sounds like a long shot. One other thing you might want to try is putting her story up on a crowdfunding site. This way friends, family, forum members and people who care can throw a few bucks in to make sure it happens. I think it would get a lot of backing. Just a thought. Best of luck and god bless.

Top Crowdfunding sites:

DreamFund
FirstGiving
Patreon
Giveforward
CroudRise
Causes
YouCaring
Teespring
Indiegogo
GoFundMe
Plus dozens more

[Steveo]

• The prize is the honor of walking in a parade at The Oaks race on the day before The Derby. If we win, we’ll still need to get there, find lodging, and hopefully get to The Derby the next day. But the experience will be wonderful if we get in. There is an FAQ page if you want to learn more.

Thanks again to all for your support!

We should keep this voting going and use the crowdfunding site to pay for the trip. After reading all the responses I don't think it is such a long shot anymore

[minni on winni]

Best of everything Lyn. We hope u win. Voted and will keep voting!!!!!

[Merrymeeting]

SteveO,

While I very much appreciate the thought, we don't need funding for the trip. We've been lucky in life and there are many other, more deserving needs that crowd sourcing can help. I'm just hoping for votes. The experience of walking on the Churchill Downs track and seeing the horses up close would give her more than money can buy!

While I too wonder about the method of some of the voting, and won't resort to some of the devious ways this could be manipulated, I understand the reason they've done this. Think of how many more know about their work as a result of this social media spread.

As for a long shot? Frankly, I thought so too, until we got almost 500 votes in a little more than 24 hours. We ARE catching up! The top 141 go (and reading some of the stories, it's heart-wrenching to think many won't go). But a random sample shows the voting drops quickly after the top 10. I'd like to see Lyn be one of them!

Please keep up your voting, and again, THANKS!

[tis]

I don't think I have ever done that before. It surprised me how simple it was and I didn't have to go through a long signup routine which I hate. So I hope others will vote. Good luck, Merrymeeting!!

[Lakeboater]

Voted! And it was easy. Really hope that she gets to go!
CA sucks.

[Diana]

Reminder that you can vote today too! Let's keep this going!

[chasedawg]

Need only four more votes to break 600. Let's go for 700 today.

[winnisummergal]

Done, good luck!

[Winopt]

Voted every day! Go Go Go!!!!!!!!!!!!

[terryinnh]

Merrymeeting, your wife as a breast cancer survivor maybe interested in this program... a great weekend with other ladies that have gone through or going through breast cancer.

http://castingforrecovery.org/cfr-vermont-new-hampshire/

[Merrymeeting]

Need only four more votes to break 600. Let's go for 700 today.

Just crossed 700!

I did an analysis today. A random sample of ~150 entires (of about 500). 700 puts her in the top 3rd! But now it gets harder as the top entries are also getting daily votes. We just need to get a few more each day and catch up!

Thanks again to all!

[Slickcraft]

Only one vote per IP address per day. Other computers at home share a common IP address and can not be used for more votes. However your phone, as long as it is not running on the home wifi, will have a different IP address and can be used for an additional vote each day.

As they say, vote early and often.

[Tired of Waiting]

Just crossed 700!

I did an analysis today. A random sample of ~150 entires (of about 500). 700 puts her in the top 3rd! But now it gets harder as the top entries are also getting daily votes. We just need to get a few more each day and catch up!

Thanks again to all!

Merry M,

Looks like the other site I posted to is helping out.

I keep bumping the request for post and the vote count goes up each time.

ToW

[Merrymeeting]

Merrymeeting, your wife as a breast cancer survivor maybe interested in this program... a great weekend with other ladies that have gone through or going through breast cancer.

http://castingforrecovery.org/cfr-vermont-new-hampshire/

Thanks Terry. But on her list of things she'd love to be doing, fishing isn't in the top 10 (or 100) ;)

[Lakeboater]

Glad to see the vote total climbing when I voted tonight!

[secondcurve]

Web Master can you make this thread stick to the top of this forum?

[Lakeboater]

Web Master can you make this thread stick to the top of this forum?

Great idea. I second the motion!

[dave603]

I didn't know you could vote again everyday!
I'll keep at it now.
Has anyone put this on the New Hampshire page on Reddit.com?

Edit: I didn't see it on there so I put it up on the site.
there's over 5K active people so it might help.

http://www.reddit.com/r/newhampshire/

[eillac@dow]

Voted today from work...voted tonight from my iPad....then shared on my Facebook. I hope you guys make it there....and god bless u all. I will do my best to keep voting.

[Diana]

Up to 853!

[Merrymeeting]

I didn't know you could vote again everyday!
I'll keep at it now.
Has anyone put this on the New Hampshire page on Reddit.com?

Edit: I didn't see it on there so I put it up on the site.
there's over 5K active people so it might help.

http://www.reddit.com/r/newhampshire/

Thanks Dave. Another site I was unaware of!

And thanks very much to Don for making this thread a sticky one.

Hoping we pass 1K votes sometime today.

[Bernie Girl]

Getting there!

[Lakeboater]

Just voted again and again with WiFi! Vote her up!! :)

[chasedawg]

voted it hit 1215!

[bclaker]

Today at 5:15 added one to make 1240.

[Irish Choppers]

1241 and climbing!

[Diana]

Bumping again. Up to 1320!

[bclaker]

Today at 9.55 1359.

[dave603]

up to 1435 now

[Lakeboater]

Keep voting!

[chasedawg]

Let's hit 1500 before midnight

[Irish Choppers]

1496 in the Bank!

[thinkxingu]

1497 as of last click. Godspeed!

[Merrymeeting]

1500+ votes in less than 6 days! Thank you all!

I believe we are now in contention for one of the 141 spots. But it's going to be a long 2.5 weeks until this ends. Hopefully we can keep up with the voting.

Again, based on my random sampling of votes (there isn't an easy way to track all the entries), we are in the top 25% of about 550 entries, and we've been averaging more votes per day than most. So if we can keep this up, it looks good.

You guys are great!

[WakeboardMom]

1500+ votes in less than 6 days! Thank you all!

I believe we are now in contention for one of the 141 spots. But it's going to be a long 2.5 weeks until this ends. Hopefully we can keep up with the voting.

Again, based on my random sampling of votes (there isn't an easy way to track all the entries), we are in the top 25% of about 550 entries, and we've been averaging more votes per day than most. So if we can keep this up, it looks good.

You guys are great!

I just voted three times. Had previously been voting once, sometimes twice a day. Just realized the different ways to vote. Love the sticky! Thanks for sharing Carolyn's story, Merrymeeting. Good luck.

[bclaker]

1665 with my last post.

[Flotnjr]

There's 2 a day coming from here! We will get this done!!!!!!

[bclaker]

1922 and still climbing!!!

[First Mate]

Done and done. 1941.

Go Lyn! :)

[Puffin]

1960 lets get to 2K today!



Puffin
Bolton Ma. :)

[Bernie Girl]

Over 2000!

[minni on winni]

2047 at 8:45am.

[farechofisherman]

Just back from a trip so I'm late with the help, but now I'm in. Good luck

[Newbiesaukee]

2116 including my morning vote.

[Grant]

Aaaaaaaaand 2132...

[ursa minor]

2203 at 8:45!:D

[Alton Bay]

2240 at 10:45pm:)

[bclaker]

Posted number 2253

[secondcurve]

Where are we in the rankings? I can't seem to see the top 141 when I enter their web site. Thanks

[Merrymeeting]

Where are we in the rankings? I can't seem to see the top 141 when I enter their web site. Thanks

I believe it is intentional on their part, but you cannot see any rankings other than the Top 10. The only way to figure it out is to visit each nominees page to see their votes.

But, my son had a friend who did exactly that a few days ago. His informal analysis showed us somewhere in the 80-100 range. But as Lyn's score has changed (thanks!), so have the others.

I think if we can maintain the 250-300 votes/day we've been getting, we'll be in good shape. Only time will tell.

[secondcurve]

I believe it is intentional on their part, but you cannot see any rankings other than the Top 10. The only way to figure it out is to visit each nominees page to see their votes.

But, my son had a friend who did exactly that a few days ago. His informal analysis showed us somewhere in the 80-100 range. But as Lyn's score has changed (thanks!), so have the others.

I think if we can maintain the 250-300 votes/day we've been getting, we'll be in good shape. Only time will tell.

Thanks merrymeeting. That makes sense to handle the voting in such a manner. It sounds like we are looking good rounding the turn. Let's hope our horse shifts into high gear coming down the stretch! I'm sure it will.

[bclaker]

This makes 2506.

[eillac@dow]

So I have been voting every day from home,work, cell...I iust keep trying! I just sent out two group texts ...one to my friends and one to family...asked them to vote....i immediately got 4 responses back that said "done". One did say...who is Carolyn? I said...I don't know really but a friend's wife needs support and the response was "done". Folks ..just sharing the link though a text can go a long way. Do it....lets get Carolyn to the Kentucky Derby!

[bclaker]

This makes 2633

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

2640 ...;)

[minni on winni]

Feel the love Lyn....:)

[Jersey Bob]

Just made 2700

[Lakeboater]

2794 and counting. Let's keep voting her up!

[dave603]

at 2799, one more for 2800!

[thinkxingu]

2820 at last click!

[upthesaukee]

Another click for Lyn!!!:)

[AB_Monterey]

Been away but I am in.

2926!

[cominghome]

The count has reached 2938

[riverat]

Carolyn now has 2971 votes

[bclaker]

This makes 2978

[onceMeg]

We're at 2989 - C'mon folks - Let's get Carolyn to 3000 tonight!

[Merrymeeting]

We're at 2989 - C'mon folks - Let's get Carolyn to 3000 tonight!

Our daughter is a night shift nurse. She cast vote #3000 in the early AM. Amazing! Thanks to all.

Two more weeks...

[upthesaukee]

Just did 3043.... :):banana:

[bclaker]

This is 3065

[Steveo]

3070

Keep it up

[Rattlesnake Gal]

After you cast your vote, please share it with your friends on FaceBook!

http://survivors.kentuckyderby.com/survivors/1863

[minni on winni]

3330 ♥ we are like the little engine that could. Slow but steady. Lets get this done! :)

[bclaker]

3368 plus 1 more.

[Just Sold]

3372 - voting 2 times a day using 2 computers! Home and at work. :D

[Diana]

Bumping it up again, 3629!

[VitaBene]

My ip address is misbehaving:)
Your IP Address has already voted today.ooooops

[bclaker]

This makes 3735.

[chasedawg]

Just hit 3800

[chasedawg]

Just hit 3800. This is fun

[Irish Choppers]

3809 and counting!

[upthesaukee]

3840 this morning....let's pick up the pace.

[bclaker]

This makes 3870

[smith point boater]

Congratulations on getting over 4000!!!

[eillac@dow]

Just voted again this am from my husbands phone and it hit 4,000!

Awesome!

[Merrymeeting]

Just voted again this am from my husbands phone and it hit 4,000!

Awesome!

Awesome indeed. Never would have believed this when we started. Thanks to all!

A little more than one week left.

[bclaker]

This makes 4021.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

"And down the stretch they come"....4032

[First Mate]

4135--and counting....run for the roses!

[Flotnjr]

Wow, well over 4,000. What a great community!

[upthesaukee]

Entering the home stretch in this race...time to pick up the pace and make big strides to the finish line!!!! 4265

[Just Sold]

Just made it 4301! :d

[minni on winni]

And now we have 4348......for Lyn♡:)

[WakeboardMom]

My three votes of today pushed it to 4495. We'll keep plugging away.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Four thousand five hundred!

[bclaker]

This makes 4542.

[Lakeboater]

After making it 4609 I thought I'd give it a bump.

[upthesaukee]

Merrily we roll along, roll along, roll along...:)

[riverat]

Been voting every day since posted. Glad to make it 4700 on this one

[Descant]

Proud to be 4825

[Irish Choppers]

Starting my day happy to be 4850!

[upthesaukee]

Let's get to 5000 before noon today!!!!!

[Island Girl]

There have been over 12,000 views of this thread... if you view, then please click and vote. The top ten vote receivers are just over 8000 votes. Surely this forum can surpass that!


Here is the link again.

http://survivors.kentuckyderby.com/survivors/1863

[bclaker]

This makes 4932

[SPT13]

was hoping to be 5000 !!

[tis]

I just got 4981. We need to get to 5000!

[Winni-Retired]

I was 5001 !!!!!!!!

[Cindido]

5012 on my second vote of the day - GO LYN !!

[minni on winni]

And just in case you don't know this......you don't have to be logged in to vote so anyone reading this thread VOTE for Lyn.♡:D

[upthesaukee]

Keep it going!!!! Vote vote vote.

[Senter Cove Guy]

I'm planning to make at least 6 votes today as I'm out and about. I'd like us to be able to replace Lori Lober with Carolyn as #10 on the list.

PLEASE GET OUT THERE AND VOTE VOTE VOTE!

[bclaker]

This makes 5177

[Steveo]

5200 and counting

[Lakeboater]

Let's keep voting! I did three times today.

[Senter Cove Guy]

I registered 25 votes today. Way above my initial goal. I just rode through the shopping malls I was at today and voted each time I hooked to a different WiFi hotspot. It's easy, quick and FUN. Can't wait to do it again. 10th spot IS NOT OUT OF REACH

[upthesaukee]

Now at 5386 and counting. How high can we go today????:)

[bclaker]

This makes 5463

[onceMeg]

Each gal and guy here loves Lake Winn -
Which, in a way, makes it feel like we're kin.
'Twould be tough to ignore 'em
If Every Day on this Forum
All folks did their part: Vote for Lyn!

[Cindido]

Just hit 5555 - C'mon Lyn !

[upthesaukee]

woo hoo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Senter Cove Guy]

It's Missy Marrs by a head over Suki Avery but the real question is are we gonna get Lyn into 10th place. It looks like Missy had an unbelievable push in the last 24 hours. We need to do the same for Lyn. Get out there and VOTE VOTE VOTE.

[Lakeboater]

Thought I'd give this a bump after voting

[upthesaukee]

Keep it going...I want to see Carolyn in her Kentucky Derby finest, replete with a stylish large hat, holding a mint julep with all the other belles of the ball. :)

[bclaker]

This makes 5748

[minni on winni]

Fingers don't fail us.......Keep up the voting. We can do this for Lyn.
By the way ...Lyn have you picked out your hat?:)

[Merrymeeting]

Fingers don't fail us.......Keep up the voting. We can do this for Lyn.
By the way ...Lyn have you picked out your hat?:)

Two more days (and a few hours)! And yes, she has a hat picked out.

I can assure all that I'll post plenty of pictures, assuming we make it!

[secondcurve]

Two more days (and a few hours)! And yes, she has a hat picked out.

I can assure all that I'll post plenty of pictures, assuming we make it!

Don't you mean when we make it?

[bclaker]

Now 5888. This morning I sent a request to 36 contacts.

[onceMeg]

Keep 'em coming, everyone!

[Puffin]

5925 from ago international airport


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

6,000 with a furlong to go!

[salty dog]

I hit it every time I log on. At 6007 and climbing steadily!

[bclaker]

This makes 6050.

[upthesaukee]

up to 6065 now....woo hoo:D.

[Lakeboater]

Keep the votes coming for her!

[Island Girl]

If you have not voted for Carolyn before... vote now. Let's all use the power of our Winnipesaukee community here to send her to the Kentucky Derby.

http://survivors.kentuckyderby.com/survivors/1863

IG

[Merrymeeting]

Too bad we didn't discover this earlier! My son just noticed that if you double click on the vote button, it seems to record 2 votes. Maybe that's how the Top 10 got the votes they have!

The good news is I estimate we are well within the top 141. We'll know for sure tomorrow.

[Jersey Bob]

MM,

I hope she makes into the the top 141. I just voted for the last time (voted from home earlier today) and then I read your post about double clicking on the vote button. DARN!!!

I'm sure you'll let us know either way.

JB

[Cindido]

Wishing you all the best - Sure hope we've done enough to make Lyn's dream come true!!!!!!:love:

[HellRaZoR004]

Too bad we didn't discover this earlier! My son just noticed that if you double click on the vote button, it seems to record 2 votes. Maybe that's how the Top 10 got the votes they have!

The good news is I estimate we are well within the top 141. We'll know for sure tomorrow.

The 1st/2nd place are averaging about a vote per second. To me that sounds very fishy and I hate to say it but they are probably gaming the IP scheme through various methods.

Either way I've been voting Carolyn and I really hope she has the opportunity to attend!

[Merrymeeting]

The list is up! We finished as #27. Looks like we are going to Kentucky!

Words cannot express how grateful we are to everyone who helped make this possible, a large number being members of this forum.

I can assure you that there will be pictures and other posts about our experience.

Once again, thank you so much!

[Island Girl]

That is great, Merrymeeting. I am an avid Kentucky Derby watcher and am so excited for you both. I hope they show this on TV.

[minni on winni]

Congrats y'all.......enjoy the fun 'n excitement of the Derby.:)

[Cindido]

Awesome ! Hope it's everything Lyn's been dreaming of. Looking forward to the pictures. Congratulations !!!

[WakeboardMom]

So excited for you and Carolyn! Can't wait to see pictures! Thank you for making us part of this!
:)

[Tired of Waiting]

Ups,

Glad I could help and a special thanks to the webmaster for allowing this to run with a sticky!!!

Now Good luck at the Derby and waiting for the pictures!!!


ToW

[webmaster]

a special thanks to the webmaster for allowing this to run with a sticky!!!I was voting too!

[Senter Cove Guy]

I have to admit I was really concerned about where Lyn would finish. The front runners were clearly way out there and we saw the #10 position change hands nearly every day during the last week. That just shows how close the lower finishers were in votes. However, Lyn made it in grand style. Congratulations Lyn and have a fantastic time at the festivities.

[Tired of Waiting]

I was voting too!

Double thanks to you.

This site is one of the best site I belong to. And it's ALL the members and the Webmaster that make it so great.


ToW

[Diana]

Just want to see a picture of the HAT!
Nice work everybody!

[upthesaukee]

While we celebrate seeing Carolyn (Lyn) Sullivan earning the opportunity to go to the Kentucky Derby, let's all take a moment and celebrate the fact that there are 140 other winners who are beating or have beat cancer and now have also won the opportunity to the Derby.

A special Hooray for Lyn, but a big congrats to the others as well.

Well done, Ladies. :):cheers::love:

[Lakeboater]

Glad to see that Carolyn is going! Nice going Winnipesaukee. com

[smith point boater]

Congratulations!! Voting was the first thing I did every morning after signing on. Glad everything worked out for you

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Congratulations to Carolyn!!! I look forward to pictures!

[Puffin]

Congratulations and enjoy your trip! I'm so glad you achieved your objective.

Puffin

[Merrymeeting]

We'll try to represent NH well. Thanks again everyone!

http://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Participants_Selected_for_Kentucky_Oaks_2015_Survi vors_Parade_123

[Blue Thunder]

Good job everyone!! I voted every day. This forum rocks.

BT

[Merrymeeting]

Hello All,

We are in the starting gate and scheduled to leave for Kentucky in the AM. Lyn has her hat, her dress, and her boots. She’s ready for the Derby / Oaks!

For those who have asked, the Survivor’s Parade will be televised/streamed on the NBC Sports Network (www.nbcsports.com, channel 781 on Metrocast). The telecast starts at 12:30 PM and goes until 6:15 PM. The Survivor’s Parade is scheduled to start just before the Oaks race, at about 4:55 PM.

The race on Friday is the Kentucky Oaks. From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Oaks

“The Oaks and the Derby are the oldest continuously contested sporting events in American history, and the only horse races to be held at their original site since their conception.”

“The Kentucky Oaks is considered by some to be among the most popular horse races in American horse-racing society due to its high attendance. The attendance at the Kentucky Oaks ranks third in the continent and usually surpasses the attendance of all other stakes races including the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders' Cup. The attendance of the Kentucky Oaks typically only trails the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes”

So I guess we’ll be in front of a good crowd! Pictures when we return.

Thanks again to all who helped make this possible!

[VitaBene]

Have a great time!!

[Island Girl]

Have a wonderful time. She deserves it.

IG

[Tired of Waiting]

Looks like I have to change my schedule so I can watch Lyn on the TV.

Well worth the change though.

Good luck, cause I know you'll have money on the race, and have a great time Lyn. Glad we could help you have your dream.


ToW

[eillac@dow]

Was just thinking of Lyn on my ride to work this morning.

Have a ball. Enjoy...you deserve it!

[Slickcraft]

Photos of the parade here:
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/photos/kentucky-oaks-survivors-parade

[Merrymeeting]

Photos of the parade here:
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/photos/kentucky-oaks-survivors-parade

those are still last year's. I'll post more later.

Disappointing to hear that NBC did not show any part of the parade. But if you watch closely and quickly, you can catch a glimpse of Lyn at the 1:32 mark in this news report (right behind the guy with the blue coat)
http://www.wdrb.com/story/28958119/cancer-survivors-walk-the-track-at-churchill-downs-for-annual-oaks-day-parade#.VUTN_VgNh8M.facebook

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/2015/05/record-breaking-123763-fans-watch-lovely-maria-claim-piece-history-and-win-141st-longin

[Slickcraft]

those are still last year's. I'll post more later.

Part way down the page it now shows a link to the 2015 photos.

[Cindido]

Hi,

I've been a member of this forum almost since it began. I've met many nice people through the forums, some in person at Forum Fests, but most through the anonymity of member names. I normally don't want the spotlight, but I'm making an exception as I'm hoping for some help from my long-time, forum friends.

My wife, Lyn, has always dreamed of attending The Kentucky Derby. There is an opportunity for her to do so in a way that would have incredible meaning for her. But it requires votes...lots of them. Hence my request for help.

You can read her story here, http://survivors.kentuckyderby.com/survivors/1863

If you are so moved, I'd ask you to help by voting early and often. It appears it will take a lot of votes to be considered. Feel free to forward or share far and wide. You can vote every day.

Make it a part of your routine. Shower, coffee, and vote for Lyn! They track the votes by IP address, so you can actually vote twice (or more!) if you vote from home, work, coffee shop, etc.

And thanks in advance to any who vote, whether we make it or not.


What a beautiful photo of Lyn on the front page of The Baysider! So happy to see her be part of the 141 breast cancer survivors shining at Churchill Downs. Congratulations !!! :)

[WakeboardMom]

What a beautiful photo of Lyn on the front page of The Baysider! So happy to see her be part of the 141 breast cancer survivors shining at Churchill Downs. Congratulations !!! :)

Carolyn looks fabulous! I love her hat!



http://www.newhampshirelakesandmountains.com/pdf/BAY.2015.07.09.pdf

[Merrymeeting]

Thanks for all the nice comments. As we had hoped, this was a trip of a lifetime, and we couldn't have done it without all of you.

I've posted some long-overdue photos in the Photopost Gallery. Also a short video clip here, https://youtu.be/bglIHYXAZko

There were many from these forums who had similar family stories. Who's going next year? We could make it an annual event to send someone from the Winni forums!

[Cindido]

Not only do I love Lyn's hat - but her boots are fabulous!!! :)
May I ask who is the handsome gentleman walking with her?

[Merrymeeting]

Not only do I love Lyn's hat - but her boots are fabulous!!! :)
May I ask who is the handsome gentleman walking with her?

Boots - she walked into Tractor Supply in Rochester just before the trip, saw the boots with the pink horses, and knew she'd found the right ones (they recommended that the ladies bring boots for walking on the track.

As for the guy, he found the hat next door at Walmart! :)

[Merrymeeting]

Two years ago, thanks in large part to the members of this forum, we realized a life-long dream of attending the Kentucky Derby in a very meaningful, special way. While it was a trip of a lifetime, and will be in our memories forever, once was enough for us.

But the process is starting this year for others to have the opportunity. Perhaps the forum can send another deserving member?

https://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/derby-week/oaks/survivors-parade