By Peter Laird, MD
Shad Ireland has devoted his life to promoting exercise and an independent life 
for all dialysis patients. Today, Shad seeks the dream that opened his life and saved him from a sure death at an early age. Shad was inspired by watching the Kona Ironman competition when he had been given only months to live. He saw himself one day competing at Kona and that inspired him.
Shad is now forty years old with over thirty years of renal replacement yet he is seeking his dream. He is in training for his most important Ironman competition to date. However, Shad cannot complete his lifelong dream without help from the community that he has devoted his entire adult life inspiring people to live a better life. I have pledged to give back to this man that has given so much to us. My pledge is to vote at least 100 times every day for the next two weeks and bring Shad to Kona and fulfill his lifelong dream. It is Shad's story, but it is also our story.
Shad faces his biggest challenge since he will need at least 2000 people who likewise pledge to vote 10 times a day for the next two weeks. The system is quick, simple and easy to vote. 10 votes will only 
cost you a few minutes a day, but it will mean much more to Shad and allow him to continue revealing the plight of his fellow patients to the world. He needs over 200,000 votes before midnight July 3rd. I pledge to do my part as Shad has pledged to do his best to represent the 400,000 ESRD patients in America. Only one vote from each patient would place Shad at the top of the list.
Please do your part and send Shad to Kona. He deserves our support and he has already given to the renal community over and over again. Make your pledge today and vote and vote again, there is not penalty to voting over and over again. Indeed, Shad deserves a few minutes of your time
the next two weeks.
Go to Kona Inspired and pledge your votes to Shad. Thank you.
Why not post this over at IHD? I'm sure many people there would be only to happy to vote over and over again for Shad. I've voted my ten times for today! Thanks for keeping us updated on how we can support him.
Posted by: MooseMom | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 02:43 PM
There does seem to be a 10 vote per day limit... Is that right? The system doesn't seem to be letting me vote more than 10 times.
Posted by: MooseMom | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 02:53 PM
You can vote as many times as you wish, there is no limit on voting. You simply have to refresh and vote again. I have voted over 100 times today already. To win, Shad will need more than 2000 people voting at least 100 times. In reality, he will need about 15,000 votes every day. I am doing my part to support Shad, I hope that the rest of the renal community does their part.
Posted by: Peter Laird, MD | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 03:52 PM
I guess my computer had a hiccup because now I can vote more, so thanks for that. I've enlisted my husband in the effort, too. Does most of the renal community know about this? Is there any where else you can post this link?
Posted by: MooseMom | Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 07:22 PM
Please help my friend Shad Ireland realize his dream of competing in the Ironman World Championships in Kona. Voting is close and he is in jeopardy of falling into 3rd place! I'm asking that you vote as many times each day, as possible, between now and next Tuesday! It only takes a second and your help is really needed. Please ask yoour friends to do the same. Thanks so much!! Here is the information.
Direct link to Shad's Kona Inspired Video: http://konainspired.thismoment.com/us/facebook/facebookappLink
To vote for Shad's Kona Inspired Video via Mobile device: http://konainspired.thismoment.com/us/base/mobile
You will need to Select "Shad Ireland Kona Inspired Video" then select the vote button if using Mobile link
.See More
Kona Inspired
apps.facebook.com/konainspired
Kona Inspired showing that “Anything Is Possible” http://konainspired.com
Posted by: Steve Varsos | Monday, June 25, 2012 at 07:31 PM