A short blog from Mickey Grosman: A TALE OF AN AMAZON FRUIT

Yesterday we found a fruit tree in the jungle, fruit I have never seen before. The indigenous collected the fruit and explained me that the locals use it as sun block (sunscreen) 

My curiosity kicked in.  My supply of sun block cream made in America is getting low and finding a natural remedy to protect my skin appealed to me. Dr. Wayne, My cancer doctor is watching me all the time looking carefully at my pictures I post to make sure I follow his orders: Nose face and ears must be protected with sun block at ALL TIME. My Melanoma cancer cells, if still developing in my body are hungry for food. I must prevent it…

So I wanted to test this remedy. A month ago while still up the Curaray River I have used natural clay as sun blocker. You take what mother Earth gives you when you are away from the nearest CVS.   

Santa, a Peruvian guy who just joined my expedition team began preparing the mix. He squeezed the white juice first and then removed the white color gooey pulps out of it. Mixing it all well we have had now a nice white creamy paste. Santa smmired the paste carefully over my face, forehead and neck, in nice layers, perfect coding that suppose to provide me with protection from the sun.

Only 20 minutes to my facial treatment and I see all my Amazon 5000 indigenous team guys watching me and cracking up with huge laughter! What? What’s the story Delfin??? Delfin is my translator in situations where my Spanish is to no avail… No one, not Delfin can speak. They are holding their tummies so not to explode and laughing their lungs out. I look behind me. Is it something there that I don’t see that cause them to tear from laughter? No, they say and point their fingers at my face. I touch my face. Still feel creamy… remove my fingers and look at them. Oy Vey! IT’S ALL BLACK!

What? I must find a mirror and see what they see – but I quickly understand. They prank me…these busters! They knew this white fruit turn black in only 15 minutes. They are happy now big time like kids who prank their teacher. As for me….? this fruit, although a real sun block, actually stained the skin. My skin is now dyed black and will stay like that for at least two weeks. Luckily my beard is still reddish blond – my identity is saved!

And as for Delfin, Timothy, Santa, Nicky and the rest – revenge is coming your way guys… be aware!

On a small note…in only two days I am to meet Kyle Ver Steeg and Aaron Sheldrick who are flying from Minnesota and Iowa to the jungles of Peru only to join me aboard Amazon 5000 expedition. I am wondering….is this the man they are expecting to see?  

The Amazon 5000 improvised shipyard

It has been three days since we found the dugout canoe that was sent to us by the river current. All bitten up by the elements, all cracked open, missing its bow and stern, this once a beauty, looks like no more than a tree bark resembled a carved canoe. But to me this ship wreck looked like a yacht! It has had a long body and could fit us and our gear all, if we could just fix it somehow. Surrounded by deep swamps and rising water up to our necks I could not move the expedition forward. I had to use the river to keep east and for an unknown stretch of leg until I find a dry land again, and I had to keep going. Being in this lagoon for several days and in one spot was dangerous and I knew I will be better off if moving deeper into the jungle. It all motivated me to find a way to fix this beauty. So what did I have in my possession that could fix such? Looking for my survival gear that I carry through I pulled out of my backpacks all that could play a role in fixing this old lady canoe; Duct tape, paracord, hammer, handsaw, multitool, knives and machetes. Suddenly all this gear that me and my team carried all along proved to justify the backache we all suffered from. 

We dragged the wrecked “once a canoe” to the shore rolling it over bamboo rails. With each push or pull she made crushing noises and seemed to totally fall apart. We needed to be focused and handle her with lots of care. Landing her finally on solid ground we started building nails using local wood to carve wood-nails Indian style. Cutting, assembling, duct taping; we worked for two days to put her all together again. What needed now was to seal her somehow. Here came handy again what nature provides - a method used by the Amazonian Indians throughout all generations; Clay! Excavating with our hands the reach mineral clay along the riverbank we stuffed this green thick paste first into the canoe cracks, and then covered the interior canoe, layer after layer, making sure we get a solid body of sealed surface. 

Not only that we used the clay to seal the boat we also used it to seal our face skin from the exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays that beamed on us with no mercy. Looking as if we just spent a time at a cosmetic salon wearing a green mineral mask we made sure to capture this treatment method in our cameras. Do I look like a clown or like my dear wife in one of her beauty treatments…? Feeling protected as our grandmas always ordered and also as our cancer doctor does… we continued our job till we had a proud dugout canoe ready for us to jump in and continue the Amazon 5000 expedition. How many days will this improvised canoe hold? I still don’t know. For now it rocks! We all are in, our gear is in and we are heading southeast down the river deeper and deeper into the Peru’s jungle plains.

***One of the most common uses to the Amazonia clay is made by the parrots that lick it daily in order to clean their digestive system from poisoning elements exist in the fruit they eat. 

MICKEY GROSMAN SENDS HIS BLOGS FROM THE AMAZON IN THE MIDST OF HIS AMAZON 5000 EXPEDITION 

  STREAMING IT LIVE VIA SATELLITE BGAN DEVICE 

MADE POSSIBLE

BY THE KIND SPONSORSHIP OF THE SATELLITE PHONE STORE

SARASOTA FLORIDA

"WHENEVER"

http://www.satellitephonestore.com/

Amazon 5000's GOLD RUSH for the Kids!

Some of the top names in cancer research allocate ONLY $0.01 (a penny) for every cancer research dollar to childhood cancer...We Can Do Better!

We need a GOLD RUSH for the Kids!

Join the movement this September as we play our role to make the children's voices heard. We need YOUR help to make a difference in the childhood cancer community and make a statement: Our children are worth more than a penny!  

For the month of September we will be honoring Childhood Cancer Awareness Month through our Gold Rush campaign. We are looking for dedicated Team Captains to step up to the plate and raise crucial funding for the cause. The funding we raise will help us in our mission to I n s p i r e our young cancer warriors through Mickey's extreme 5,000 mile expedition as well as Give Back to cancer supporting organizations that are devoting much more than a penny to the children!

GIVE BACK AND GET BACK! The Team Captain who raises the must funding in the month of September will win a vacation certificate for 5 days/4 nights in Cancun, Mexico !! (Certificate does not include airfare, some restrictions applied*). 

What are you waiting for?! Get your sombreros out, create your teams and start fundraising. Together let us show the world our children are worth more than a penny!

  

Get Started

Create your own fundraising page   

Step 1: Visit: http://www.stayclassy.org/goldrush.

 Step 2: Simply click the green “Create Your Own Fundraising Page” on the right hand side

Step 3: Personalize your page with your own text or by adding your own “Call to Action” video.Tell them what ignited your fire to join the Amazon 5000 - for the Cure cause.

Create Your Team Page

Now that you’ve created your own fundraising page go Create a TEAM! Nothing like the united power of a community to make a difference! Ask YOUR community to join your TEAM!

 Step 1: Click on the right hand side of your new fundraising page on the green “Start or Join a Team button”. 

Step 2: Fill out the form that pops up and click "Go To My Page"

Step 3: Share your team page with your network and ask your friends to join your efforts and become fundraisers by clicking the green "Join Team" button on the upper left hand side of your team page.

Your team page will show the combined fundraising efforts of you, your family and friends on one page.

Winners will be announced on Amazon 5000 Facebook - Monday, October 1, 2012 

Should you need any assistance creating your team page please feel free to contact Rachel Perez, Campaign Manager at rperez@amazon5000.com.

Join us as we unite our voices to make the children's voices heard! 

Want to do more? CLICK HERE and show us how you go GOLD!

*SMALL PRINT: Winner must raise a minimum of $300.00. Trip valid for travel by two adults (one of which must be at least 28 years of age) and two children, ages 12 and under. During your stay you will be asked, but not required, to enjoy a private viewing at the resort (approx. 90-120 minutes) to familiarize yourself with all the amenities available to you during your vacation and the options for participation in one of the vacation ownership plans. Other restrictions apply, for more details email rperez@amazon5000.com

Amazon 5000 Presents: Go GOLD Challenge

THE GO GOLD CHALLENGE

Amazon 5000- For the Cure is excited to kick off Childhood Cancer Awareness month by going GOLD! The GOLD ribbon is the national symbol for childhood cancer awareness. For the entire month of September we are challenging YOU,  our supporters and fans to hit the streets, get involved by showing us how you are going GOLD in your local community.  

THE CHALLENGE -- if you dare to accept it -- join the movement to promote awareness for childhood cancer by using the color GOLD. Submit your videos of outrageous ways you are drawing attention to Childhood Cancer Awareness month utilizing GOLD in some aspect of your strategy. 

Show us your videos of you starting a golden flash mob, painting your body gold, dying your hair gold, starring in a gold fashion show... using your creativity, the ideas are endless and are sure to cause a stir!

Your efforts will not go unrewarded! Thanks to Florida EcoSafaris sponsorship of the Amazon 5000 Go GOLD Challenge there are 2 EcoPark Admission Tickets ($270 value total, some restrictions apply) up for grabs along with some other exciting prizes (for you non-Floridians) to the winning submissions. Our panel of judges will choose their favorite submissions and on October 1st the winners will be announced! 

We all know what the pink ribbon stands for.

 Now let's be the voice for the children and bring awareness to the GOLD Ribbon!

 

*** SUBMISSION ***

Follow our application guideline below

PHASE 1  

Video submission
DEADLINE: September 26, 2012

PHASE 2

Winner Announcement
DEADLINE: October 1st, 2012

VIDEO Submission Guidelines

1. PHOTO: Email a clear, recent photo of yourself to mail@amazon5000.com. Please remember to include your name, location and phone number in the email.
2. VIDEO: Prepare a video in which you show us how you are promoting GOLD for childhood cancer awareness month. Below are tips on how to make the video:

·         CAMERA EQUIPMENT: Use a DV or mini-DV camera (if possible) and keep the camera as still as possible while filming.

·          LIGHTING/SOUND: Make sure that we can see and hear you properly before you start filming. Make sure where you are is well lit, and avoid having windows or bright lights directly behind you as this may obscure your face. If indoors, close windows and doors and turn off phones to restrict noise.

·        

            PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT FILM YOURSELF PARTICIPATING IN ANY ACTIVITIES THAT MAY CAUSE PHYSICAL OR BODILY HARM. A5K WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS APPLICATION.

·         Videos will NOT be confidential. By sending us your video, you hereby authorize to release all rights to the Amazon 5000 Team to publish it to the public and use for any other purposes. We will be posting them on our website, Facebook and any other social media site.

·         The FINAL DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO for is September 26, 2012.

·          
You must be at least 18 years of age to apply.

You may submit your video this way:

• Upload your video to YouTube.com AND email your video link to: mail@amazon5000.com
• Please DO NOT snail mail your video

Winners announced on Monday, October 1st on Amazon 5000 Facebook Page.

Join our movement to make the children’s voices heard!

If you have any questions please contact Campaign Manager, Rachel Perez at rperez@amazon5000.com.

Feeling camera shy?! 

CLICK HERE for another opportunity to Go GOLD and WIN BIG!

Here is an example of how people bring awareness to Breast Cancer Awareness using PINK gloves...

Press Release: August 19, 2012

PRESS RELEASE August 19, 2012

For Immediate Release   Contact:                         Rachel Perez                 407-756-3732                                     rperez@amazon5000.com

Mickey's Fans Get Down And Dirty  In The Fight Against Cancer

Attention reporters: Mickey Grosman is available for interviews live from the jungle. High-resolution images from the expedition are also available. ORLANDO, Florida- Amazon 5000,www.facebook.com/amazon5000, announced today that Orlando Cancer Activist, Mickey Grosman will have his footsteps mirrored back at home by his fans. Amazon 5000 fans are standing united to promote awareness and spend a day in Mickey's shoes at the American Mud Race (http://www.americanmudrace.com), Saturday, August 25th. Mickey has trekked over 1,000 miles already in his campaign for cancer awareness. He has had numerous close encounters and life-risking moments but still, him and his team of (6) indigenous forge on. Beginning on the shores of Pedernales, Ecuador they have crossed the country by foot, over the brutal Andes and through the dense Amazon Jungle.  Despite his dramatic kidnapping last week by the Huaruani tribe, he has continued his journey and is now traveling in Peru. Mickey exemplifies his personal motto: Never EVER Give Up! In support to Mickey and his mission to reignite the fight against cancer a group of fans will represent the Amazon 5000 Team on the American Mud Race's muddy and extreme, 3.4 mile course. Just as Mickey has already, and will continue to, face many obstacles on his 5,000 mile journey, fans will encounter over 18 obstacles on race day.     "Mickey is in the mud and dirt all day out on the Amazon 5000 Expedition. He is going to the extreme for an extreme cause. I feel honored to mirror his footsteps back at home and make a statement to our local community to DO Something in the fight against cancer." Stated fan Katrina Putnam. "I am inspired by Mickey and his passion for the cause and I look forward to being part of his incredible movement!" Out of the thousands of racers participating in the American Mud Race the Amazon 5000 Team will identify themselves with bright green Amazon 5000 Bandanna's. On a mission to promote awareness for the cause, fans will make their presence visible on race day and make Mickey's voice heard in Central Florida.  Journalists and fans can track Mickey on The Impossible, Possible Journey by following us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Amazon5000. For more information please contact rperez@amazon5000.com.

About Amazon 5000:  Amazon 5000- For the Cure was founded to inspire those who are battling cancer, promote awareness to the fight against cancer and to provide endorsement  to research foundations and local organizations supporting Cancer patients through their journey. For more information visit:www.amazon5000.com.  Visit our BLOG to read personal expedition blogs from Mickey and get updates. # # #

The Impossible, Possible Journey!