A new friend of mine– an underachieving cancer doctor who stopped practicing and gave up paid employment in order to co-found a non-profit that is really making a difference in the lives of sick children in Uganda and Ethiopia– has invited me to a fundraiser that she is hosting this Thursday.

(This video explains the work that they do and is really great. Watching it made me want to just hand over my wallet.)

Thursday is a crazy day for several killer events in the City and I don’t know how I’m going to squeeze it all in, but I’m going to try…

1) Thursday is Bike to Work Day.  If you’ve even considered biking in to work, this would be the day to do it. There’ll be hundreds of people biking downtown and around the City that day.  You could either watch in frustration from your car, in envy from the bus, or clueless underground, OR… you can throw in the towel and try something new. You know what they say… if you can’t beat ‘em, JOIN THEM!

I’ve been biking to work almost daily (yes, in this wind!) so I’m definitely IN!

• Think about avoiding the construction nightmare that is the new Transbay Terminal.
• Think of what you might do with that extra $30 a day that you’re essentially giving away to parking garages around town, or the $50 parking ticket you were bound to get anyway.
• Think about not having hairy butt crack in your face on Muni for once.

Grab a friend and JUST DO IT.

2) To reward you for dressing up in your fanciest work attire and biking in to work, there’s going to be a PARTY at the DNA Lounge that evening.

Bike from Work Party + Fashion Show

Thu., May. 12 | 6-9pm | DNA Lounge, 375 11th St

“Check out the latest in bicycle fashion and party down after work at the SF Bicycle Coalition’s big Bike to Work Day celebration and fashion show, with DJs, fabulous raffle prizes and complimentary bicycle valet.”

$5 for SF Bicycle Coalition members, $10 for non-members or join at the door and get in free [P.S. $35 bucks for a one-year membership that includes all sorts of free classes and access to parties and rides is not too shabby! And no, they don't pay me for this.].  Ages 21+.

3) Wrap up Africa Fundraiser/ ’80s Dance Party with special guests from the Tour de France at Circa in the Marina. And yes, I did just hear a rumor that Lance Armstrong was tweeting about this event so who knows who else will show up. (Of course, I will never forgive him for allegedly dumping my girl Sheryl, and his wife before that, but I digress…)

From the horse’s mouth:

“Wrap Up Africa is a social enterprise and a foundation benefiting cancer patients in Uganda and Ethiopia. We teach families of cancer patients to make beautiful clothing which is then sold in Western markets. More people die from cancer in Africa than from HIV, TB and Malaria combined. Our mission is to empower families with cancer, increase early detection and improve treatment outcomes.“

presents:

A Night at Circa Lounge in the Marina

featuring:

LIVEWIRE BAND

and cycling legends / current Tour de France and Tour of California commentators:

Paul Sherwen and Bob Roll

as well as a Silent Auction,

including a chance to bid on two VIP passes for the finish line in Sacramento for stage 2

of the Amgen Tour of California (Monday, May 16)

7:00 pm: Silent Auction begins
8:00 pm: Q&A with Paul and Bob
9:00 pm: Silent Auction winners announced and slam poetry reading by Lauren Zuniga
10:00 pm: Livewire Band

Your ticket purchase is tax deductible. All proceeds go to programs for outreach and access to care for cancer patients in Uganda and Ethiopia. Proceeds from Circa’s bar will go to Wrap Up Africa Foundation.

Click here to get in on the action!