ZHOPE

If you’re visiting this site, it’s because you’ve heard about an amazing cancer hero and inspiration named Zach DeRidder.  Please enjoy learning about Zach and his amazing 17 races in 2007 while on chemo, and share this with your friends. 

 If you have an idea how to share Zach’s story with the world by helping us link up with the media or special interest groups like other cancer non-profits, please email me: mhallstr@gmail.com  I have lots of pictures and video footage I haven’t done anything with yet.

Carpe Diem!

Michael Hallstrom

Zach DeRidder Foundation Co-Founder

Zach finishing his first triathlon

Pittsford, NY June 3, 3007

ZACH DID ALL 17 EVENTS WHILE ON CHEMOTHERAPY AND WITH A LIVER TUMOR THAT RIVALS THE SIZE AND FURY OF GODZILLA!!!!!!

2007 Events

• Breast Cancer Awareness Race 5K, Geneva NY
  • Time 33 min
• Earth Day 5K Race - Pennington, NY- April 21
  • Off-road course with hills
  • Time 33:44
• Naples 5K Race – Naples, NY - April 28
  • Two large hills
  • Time 30:54
• Honeoye 5K – Honeoye, NY – May 5
  • Zach finished second in his age group
  • Time 28:35
• Pond Duathlon – Mendon Pond NY - May 19
  • 2 mile run, 10 mile bike, 1 run
  • Time 1 hr 14 min
• Pittsford Triathlon, Pittsord NY – June 3
  • 300 yrd swim, 15 mile bike, 5K run
  • Time 1 hr 45 min 19 sec
  • Film footage, pictures
• Powerbar Trail Race Mendon Pond - June 9
  • 4.5 mile trail race – wooded area, lots of hills
  • Time: 49:05
• Chittenango 5 mile race – Chittenango, NY June 23
  • Time: 48 min
• Tinman Triathlon, Tupper Lake, NY – June 30
  • 0.6 mile swim, 20 mile bike, 6.2 mile run
  • Time: 3 hr 10 min 43 sec
  • Film footage, pictures
• Broome
  County Triathlon,
  Binghamton, NY - July 7
  • .5 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 5K run
  • Time 1 hr 43 min 19 sec
  • Video and pictures
• Muscle Man Triathlon, Geneva, NY – July 14
  • 500 yrd swim, 15 mile bike, 5K run
  • Time 1hr 42 min 52 sec
  • Pictures
• Williamson Triathlon, Williamson, NY – Aug 4
  • .4 mile swim, 20 mile bike, 4 mile run
  • Time 2 hr 17 min 7 sec
• Summer Sizzler, Grand Island, NY – Aug 11
  • 1 mile swim, 21 mile bike, 8.8 K run
  • Time 3 hr 8 min 57 sec
• Sodus Point Triathlon, Sodus Point, NY – Aug 18
  • Time 1hr 47 min 14 sec
• Ride for the Roses 100 mile bike ride, Philadelphia, PA - Aug 25-26, 2007
  • Time 7 hours 40 min
  • Sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation
  • Pictures
• Skaneateles Triathlon, Skaneateles, NY – Sept 1
  • 800m swim, 14 mile bike, 5K run
  • Time – unknown

On Sept 12, 2007 Zach’s liver stuck back with a vengence hospitalizing Zach for 70 days in Rochester, NY. He fell into a comma and lost tons of weight. It looked like would pass away. Loved ones stood by him and prayed for him day and night, and with God’s blessing and skilled medical care, he was home by Thanksgiving. Now Zach’s living at home and taking life day by day. But he still wants to compete.

Please share his amazing story!

It’s been a while since I’ve given an update on Zach. I haven’t seen him since Thanksgiving, but I call him weekly. Zach’s still going strong. He’s had 11 or 12 radiation treatments and has 4 more next week. He would be finished already, but he was readmitted to the hospital because of a kidney stone (what a relief it wasn’t something more serious). His still on chemo, but he’ll be done with radiation by Christmas. After that, I think that the doctors will re-evaluate his condition, but I’m not sure.

When I called Zach tonight, he was busy decorating the Christmas tree with his family. We only talked a minute but his spirits are up and he said he’s feeling better - a little stronger, but not ready to get back on the bike. I’m going up to see Zach after Christmas, and will write an update again then.

Zach could still use our prayers.

Merry Christmas.

Michael Hallstrom

Zach we are glad you are home. It must be good to be cutting pie and to even sleep in your own bed. Keep getting better.

We’ve got one big thing to thank the Lord for: Zach is home! Zach returned home from the hospital today. He has to go to a hospital five days a week for radiation treatments and has a ton of pills to take, but at least he’s home. The three weeks of radiation will be rough, but the doctors hope that the by radiating his tumor, his liver will regain some function. After the 15 treatments, they will reevaluate the situation. He may be taking chemo with the radiation, I don’t know.

Anyway, the good news is Zach is home for now. He is still very weak and has a long road to recovery, so let’s continue to give him our support and prayers. But please know that Zach’s spirits are up and he’s already trying to get back into shape. And knowing Zach he’s already thinking of doing more triathlons. He is able to receive calls on his cell phone too, so drop him a line.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Michael Hallstrom