Racing for a Cause: Help Families Impacted by Cancer
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National War College Alumni to Compete in the 2024 Adventure Racing National Championship to Raise Funds for Families Impacted by Cancer
Team Wanderlust – NWC Class of 2016, comprised of graduates from the National War College Class of 2016, announce its fundraising campaign to participate in the 2024 Adventure Racing National Championship on September 27-28, 2024 in Snowshoe, West Virginia. The team, led by RADM Mike Studeman USN (ret), CAPT John Cowan USN, and CAPT Dan Deptula USCG (ret), will race in honor of their fallen classmate and to support families impacted by terminal cancer diagnoses.
The inspiration for this race stems from a desire to support families of National War College classmates affected by terminal cancer. Earlier this year, Juan Pablo Cardenas, a classmate and beloved friend, passed away after a year-long battle with throat cancer, leaving behind his wife and family. Tragically, on the day of Juan's funeral, Dan Deptula was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of terminal brain cancer.
"We are incredibly motivated to compete in this race, not just for the thrill of adventure, but to honor our friend Juan and support his family during this difficult time," said Dan Deptula, USCG (ret). "Our team is driven by the spirit of camaraderie and the desire to make a positive impact. We invite everyone to join us in this cause and help us reach our fundraising goal."
Team Wanderlust – NWC Class of 2016 has significant multi-sport, multi-day adventure race experience, having previously raced together during their time at the National War College in 2016. The team participated in the 26-hour Shenandoah Epic Adventure Race in the George Washington National Forest, finishing 15th out of 48 teams. The racing resume of this team is rather lengthy with decades of Ironman triathlons, Armed Forces Eco Challenge, Solo Adventure racing, and multi-day expedition races under their belt. This group will compete well at a National Championship race.
Fundraising: Our goal is to raise $13,000 to provide financial support to Juan's family and to defray some of the transportation costs of our team to and from the race (Johns is traveling to/from Kenya). To learn more about the competition including ways to support the team and their fundraising goal, please visit https://gofund.me/a87e4af5
Additional links:
Juan’s obituary and Graveside Service (Oct 9, 2024)
2024 Adventure Racing National Championship Race info
Organizer
Daniel Deptula
Organizer
Fruit Cove, FL