(Photo: From left: Darryl Tait, Margaret Southern, Don Tait)
1-800-PACK-RAT has accepted the challenge: The Dolphins Cycling Challenge! Margaret Southern and her husband, Darryl Tait, will be representing Team 1-800-PACK-RAT at the 5th Annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge in Miami, February 7-8. DCC is a two-day, tri-county cycling event that donates 100% of rider-raised funds to innovative cancer research at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Miami Health System.
Margaret has been working at the National Operations Center of 1-800-PACK-RAT as the Marketing Communications Manager since February 2014. She and Darryl are avid cyclists and have participated in a number of rides ranging from 25 miles to as many as 65 miles! They will be riding the 29-mile Miami Beach Touchdown Ride as Team 1-800-PACK-RAT. Margaret noted that many of the events they had ridden in were in the hilly Shenandoah Valley, so she is hoping close-to-sea-level Miami will be a little less of a climb. Margaret admitted, "In a race, Darryl would definitely finish first, but since we are riding together he'll slow down his pace a little so that we can finish as a team."
This race and its cause definitely hold some significance for Margaret and Darryl. Darryl’s brother, Don Tait, was diagnosed with testicular cancer at just 20 years old. He won his battle and has been in remission since 2003. Don credits the spectacular medical care he received from all his doctors and nurses during his treatment as one of the main reasons why he decided to go to medical school and become a doctor.
Darryl and Don were born in the Miami area and are die-hard Dolphins fans. Margaret has now adopted the Dolphins as her NFL team, so she and Darryl are especially excited to flaunt their PhinFever during the event.
Margaret and Darryl have to raise $500 each to meet their $1,000 team donation goal. If you would rather not give a donation, you can always share their donation page with your family and friends – every little bit counts!
Margaret and Darryl are proud to be a representing 1-800-PACK-RAT at the Dolphins Cycling Challenge.
"I am thrilled that 1-800-PACK-RAT is sponsoring such a great cause!" Margaret said. "I love that I am able to work somewhere that is so supportive of important community events in the areas that it serves."
Good luck in Miami Margaret and Darryl!