"[Here is] a shortened version of what I'm going for: [An] Italian doctor found that MS (Multiple Sclerosis) patients have narrowed jugular veins. You open the veins, returning the blood flow back to normal, and the MS symptoms start to go away. A friend of mine has a friend that went to Poland and got this procedure done… her symptoms have mostly gone away, and she's back to a normal, non-MS life…"
- from Lee's blog, www.onesickrace.com
Simply put: Lee Bender is a fellow skateboarder, who is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Lee is scheduled to have the surgery done that would alleviate his symptoms that he referred to on his blog. The cost? Approximately $11,000.
Why should you help Lee? Because, he's a skater that needs help. It's as simple as that...
Real has stepped up in a major, major way to help Lee along with his fundraising mission, with their Actions Realized series. We might point out though, that if you Paypal $5 straight to Lee's account, that's the same as buying one of the tribute decks (Because $5.00 of the proceeds on each deck, goes to Lee). Paypal the whole $50 straight to Lee? That's like buying ten decks. Add it up: Whichever you choose, it makes a difference...
"Raised $2,500 so far… going for $11,000…"
How can you help?! Well, you can help in a few ways:
1. Buy one of the Real Lee Bender boards at your local skate shop. The graphics were done by Lance Mountain, and the boards look great. This way, you're supporting your local shop, Real (for making the board), as well as Lee.
2. Buy the Lee Bender Actions Realized deck direct from www.actionsrealized.com. This obviously supports Real's "Actions Realized" initiative, as well as Lee. Or,
3. You can donate directly to Lee Bender, via Paypal, at Lee's blog: www.onesickrace.com. Even a small donation is a positive step in the right direction.
We found this Vimeo interview with Lee, as well as the one on the Actions Realized website. Lee's story is a tragic and compelling one. Maybe with some help from his fellow skaters, this one can have a happy ending.
Real's summer catalog website for Lee's deck: http://www.dlxsf.com/summer10/rs/#leebender
Actions Realized (with a video-interview with Lee): http://www.actionsrealized.com/
Lee's blog: http: http://www.onesickrace.com/
An interview with Lee Bender: http://www.typicalculture.com/articles/lee%20bender/*
*Most of the photos used here were from Typical Culture, with the "headline" portrait coming from the Skatepark of Tampa website.
