Market:  New York

Athlete:  Tom Klepper, Cantor Fitzgerald

June 11, 2017 will be my second consecutive year competing in The D10. My colleague spoke about The D10 with such enthusiasm, I knew it would be unlike anything I ever experienced. Between the unique composition of the events and the cause, I was hooked. I registered without a second thought.

It is a painful truth that cancer impacts virtually everyone we know. I began to think each athlete goes into this challenge with a why. For me, The D10 is the perfect opportunity to make a difference for the person who loves competition, the camaraderie offered through sports, and the unique tie-in with pediatric cancer.  To use my athleticism to fund pediatric cancer research for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is, for me, an ideal environment to truly impact others.

When I think about my co-workers, friends and even family, I realize that we live in a world where it is easy to lose ourselves in daily routines; awake, (maybe) workout, grind through a job and return home to rejuvenate before repeating this monotonous routine. We’re taught to get a good education, build a successful career, and lead a happy life. Don’t get me wrong; I am beyond grateful for the life I live, but I find myself thinking there just has to be more. The D10 has become the perfect platform to break the monotony, to recalibrate my appreciation for a new day, and focus on harnessing all of life’s gifts to create a profound impact on a sizable challenge -- curing pediatric cancer.

Last year, once game day arrived, I knew it was going to be unlike anything I had ever fathomed from the moment I stepped foot in the stadium.  Each event tests your body to the fullest.  Having played D1AA football at Wagner College, my greatest excitement each game was that opening kickoff. The feeling of adrenaline is indescribable. The D10 recreated the same overwhelming, yet empowering feeling for all 10 events.

Looking back, it was the camaraderie among the athletes and volunteers, and the support from donors, spectators, and the remarkable doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering that stands out. The entire community is there for the same reason - to reach goals and support an amazing cause. Every athlete who registers knows this isn’t just about winning. This is about something bigger; raising money for research that will undeniably make a difference in a child’s life.

Looking forward to round #2. See you in June.

Bring it,

Tom Klepper