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Tempe Arizona

Chuck King, 40, comes to the Iditarod Race from Tempe Arizona, where he was born and raised. Chuck's interest were always music, medicine and the outdoors. A music scholarship to Northern Arizona University led to an opportunity to study in Hollywood, California. His interest in medicine reasserted itself and the lure of renowned medical schools nearby proved more than he could or wanted to resist. Chuck obtained his medical degree and worked in trauma units in Los Angeles, Tacoma and Seattle. After a move from Seattle to Las Vegas, hoping for a better opportunity to induldge both passions - music and medicine, Chuck was diagnosed with Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). For many that diagnosis means laying aside many of life's cherished goals. For Chuck it meant completing his life's goals.With indomitable will and spirit to "fight this thing" and provide inspiration for others with debilitating and life threatening disease, Chuck has tenaciously grabbed life, set and accomplished goals. Since his diagnosis, he helped found and was charter president of the Las Vegas Men's Choir. He produced AIDS awareness/benefit shows and helped found the Northern Ariuzona Pride Association.

Most recently he operated Sedona Rainbow Adventure Tours in Arizona Red Rock and Grand Canyon county for international clientele. Chuck's zeal and personal courage come from the examples of dynamic individuals with whom he has been associated and from his work experiences. Legendary wagon-boss Bud Brown (nearing 100 years old) showed him perseverance as he taught Chuck to harness and drive a stagecoach and other wagon teams. High school football coach Ron Cosner encouraged him to develop his sports training skills. He learned to value teamwork and stamina as a volunteer medic and fireman. While Deputy Cheif Ranger in Grand Canyon, nature's grandeur captivated him. Most recently, drawing inspiration from Don Bowers' book "Back of the pack", Chuck decided "The Last Graet Race" would be an incomparable challenge for him and an inspiration for all those with life-threatening and debilitating diseases for whom he is racing.

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