I've said time and again that I felt that Q had the most passionate rock radio listeners in the world, and any DJ couldn't possibly find a better audience. And since any of my listeners know that I have a "No Bullshit" rule for my show (and life for that matter), that it's truly heartfelt when I express that. Well the proofs in the pudding...

As you probably know, this past May 19th I was honored to win the NY Leukemia and Lymphoma Societys (LLS) Man of the Year (MOTY) title for top fundraiser. Needless to say, you were a big part of this. When my campaign ended, there were a number of MOTY campaigns still in progress. Over 300 men took part the same thing I did around the nation.

LLS asked we keep our final number raised under wraps until June 30th when all the campaigns nationwide were officially wrapped up, and they announced the National Man of the Year for top fundraiser in the U.S. When I started this unbelievably rewarding 10 week oddysey back in March, it was suggested by LLS to set a goal of $20,000. With the economy in the tank and tragedys in Japan and here in the states down south, that looked like a gigantic number at the time to come up with when times were so tough and charity money rightfully going to those other places. For my full campaign story, you can refer back about 3 blogs from this one.

 So with the 20K number taped up to my fridge, I tapped out my first solicitation email, and picked up the phone and started calling. I figured with having it as good as I've got it in life (and have had), signing off 10 weeks of my life was a drop in the bucket in return. Not to mention the cause and organization.

Scroll down for my total funds raised and you'll see what surrounding yourself with great human beings (and some hard work) can do. For fun, maybe take a guess at what number you think it might have been first.

Total raised: $194,761,33. And no, that's not a typo. If you told me just under 200 grand would be my final number when all was wrapped, I'd say you were off your medication.

So to you dear listener that was of assistance during this life changing experience, all I can say is I send you my deepest and most sincere thanks and appreciation. Off all the Rockstars I play, you're the biggest Rockstar of them all.

And one last thing. I was informed yesterday that I won the LLS NATIONAL Man of the Year for top fundraiser in the country! (See pic below with my cancer survivor niece Kate who I ran my campaign in honor of).

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. For once again proving the Q1043 listenership is second to none. Happy 4th of July!

Ian