| Philip Wood/The Press Tribune Dan Trinidad, left, and Mike Fowler ride their bikes in preparation for their ride to raise money for cancer research. |
A little more than two years ago, Mindy Trinidad was ranked No. 7 in the world sitting at the final table in the women?s World Series of Poker.
A few days later, she was diagnosed with an acute form of leukemia. A few weeks after that, she was gone.
?It came on so suddenly,? said Mindy?s husband of 23 years, Dan Trinidad. ?It just happened so quick.?
Today, Trinidad is honoring his wife?s memory by committing to raise $100,000 to help get a research grant in her name.
Trinidad, president and CEO of Partners Mortgage in Roseville, has grouped up with Team in Training and started an initiative within his company called ?Partners for the Cure.?
Team in Training is a nationwide organization that provides coaching and training to help people realize their athletic goals while raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Trinidad and a significant amount of his employees have committed to take part in either a 100-mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe or the Rock & Roll Marathon in San Diego. Both events take place June 5.
?We?re just short of $60,000 right now,? he said. ?We?ve basically sent out a lot of e-mails to our database and network of friends and asked if they?d like to sponsor or donate money to us.?
Many employees from Partners Mortgage?s San Jose office are also taking part in the events, Trinidad said.
Mike Fowler is a mortgage planner who has worked for Partners Mortgage for 10 years and will be participating in the 100-mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe, aptly named ?America?s Most Beautiful Bike Ride.?
?I wanted to do my part to bring attention to this, to raise some funds and give back,? Fowler said. ?I?m thankful that I?m healthy and I can do a lot of things. I wanted to do something for people who aren?t able to.?
Fowler said it has always been a personal mission of his to do a century ride and to benefit a cause since his mom died of brain cancer about 17 years ago.
?The people battling cancer, I just think these people are the heroes and I gain strength from them,? Fowler said. ?As I?m climbing these hills, I feel as if I?m climbing for them.?
Fowler said committing and training for these events has also created a better environment at the office.
?It?s forming a bond with people in our company that is completely different,? he said.
?We get to know each other on a different level. It?s just an amazing experience all the way around.?
Trinidad said the mood around the office has greatly improved since creating Partners for the Cure.
?This economy has been so challenging for so many people,? Trinidad said. ?Having an environment where people are feeling highly energized and a lot better about themselves, it?s been very good for us.?
Toby Lewis can be reached at tobyl@goldcountrymedia.com.
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