Looking for Advice - Graduated December 2012 from a non-target

How's it going WSO - I'm usually just a "lurker" on here but have to give a s/o to this community for the wealth of knowledge and information with which it collectively brings to the table. I'm truly appreciative.

I have a couple questions regarding the 2014 Full-Time IB Analyst programs and all other positions I am applying for. Here is my background/story in a nutshell (will post resume later for review):

-Graduated DECEMBER 2012 from a non-target
-Finance & Economics; 3.4 GPA
-December 2013 CFA Level I Candidate
-2-sport varsity athlete freshman year; 2 year lacrosse captain & numerous individual achievements
-Internships in PWM with UBS as well as a small renewable energy startup and a business sales firm called vr-business brokers.

In November of 2012 I decided to delay starting my career post graduation to honor my friends, and more importantly my family members, who have battled and passed away due to cancer. I was presented with an opportunity to take part in a cross-country bike ride called the 4k for Cancer, benefitting the Ulman Cancer Fund. The ride was 70 days long and throughout the journey we hit all the major cancer centers (Susan G. Komen, ACS, Livestrong, UACS, etc.) and did presentations almost nightly in the churches and YMCA's we stayed at. Individually, each of the 26 team members raised a minimum of $5,000 before the ride started and as a program we raised over $800,000. I was selected to be a "Leg Leader" on the trip and was responsible for a number of things ranging from route planning, host securing and food/supply donation logistics so the leadership aspect was huge.

Needless to say the ride was a hell of an experience and equally as noble. I have no regrets from delaying my career for it. Because the ride did not leave until June 2nd, I had from December - June to fill in with something to benefit my career. On top of fundraising, planning the route & training, I also worked 30 to 40 hours a week and enrolled in the CFA Program.

I took CFA Level I on June 1st, the day before the ride and felt very good after the test only to hear months later, when I happened to be in the middle of biking through colorado somewhere, that I had been part of that unlucky 62% who failed.

So now that the ride is over (ended August 10th) I got back to my home in NY (about 50 mins north of Manhattan) and have been starting the job search. I've applied to probably 150 of the 200 IB's off the list available on here. Sent emails where I could and haven't heard much back. Have been working with some connections at 2 of the smaller BB's and, long story short, will continue to bust my ass but have a few questions regarding my situation.

My questions for you all here at WSO are:

How does the fact that I graduated in December 2012 affect me?

How would you all, as hypothetical potential employers, view my sacrificing starting a career to give back/fight against cancer through the cross-country charity ride? Would you view it positively or take a more negative approach?

-Thanks in advance and I can appreciate constructive criticism so don't hold back.