Thank you for visiting our Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

For those who may be unfamiliar with "Bike for the Cure,"  let me digress.

 In 1997, when the Internet was still in its infancy,  I  became aware of Huntington's Disease through meeting Carmen Leal, author of Faces of Huntington's and Portraits of Huntington's, via the Christian Writer's Group list. In June 1998, at Carmen's invitation, I attended the 13th Annual HDSA Convention in Denver, CO. During those three days, I met many people with HD, caregivers, and people at-risk. I was deeply moved. My Christian faith required action; "... let us not love with word or with tongue but in deed and truth" (1 John 3:18). I had to do something, but didn't know what --- yet.

Later on in the Fall of 1998, I met Charlotte Reicks, through a mutual friend, Evelyn. Evelyn and Charlotte were planning a long-distance bicycle ride across America for the American Bible Society and the Lutheran Hour Ministries. The light went on! I asked them if I could join them, and ride for HD, and they said I could! The original duo became a trio, and I rode the first Bike For The Cure ride, from Santa Monica CA to Arlington VA, to the 14th Annual HDSA National Convention in 1999. What a thrill!

At the Convention in Arlington VA, I met  Pat Pillis' son Kevin Benham, who wanted to join me in 2000 and ride across America. I agreed, and we began to plan, but it became increasingly obvious that Kevin could not keep the commitment, due to some of the soft symptoms of HD. I was so blessed when Scott Springer (a 20 something year old friend of Pat Pillis') stepped up and said he would ride, in Kevin's place. Scott and I rode from Santa Monica CA to the Canaveral National Seashore outside Orlando FL.

Plains to Lakes is the thirteenth ride for HD; prior rides include two coast-to-coast rides Bike for the Cure '99 and Bike for the Cure 2000, Border War on HD (Vancouver, BC, Canada - Tijuana, Mexico), Ramble 'Round the Colonies (Manchester NH - Columbus OH), Trek Across Texas (Texline - Houston), Kick HD on Route 66 (Albuquerque NM - St. Louis MO), Coastin' for HD (Wilmington DE - Atlanta GA), Midwest Meander for HD (Kearney NE - Milwaukee WI and Chicago IL - St. Louis MO), Rockies to Plains (Grand Junction CO - Oklahoma City OK), Cycle the Heartland (Clinton MO - Pittsburgh PA), Canyons to Cactus (Grand Junction CO - Phoenix AZ), and Coastin' to Carolina (Bar Harbor ME - Raleigh NC). Close to 20,000 miles have been pedaled, through parts of 42 states and Washington DC. Our fundraising goal is $12,000 to bring the total raised to $532,000, and to add three more states to our total (Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota.)

This year Gary Heiman will be riding with us. He is the husband of Barb Heiman, social worker for the Central Ohio Chapter of HDSA. He has ridden the Great Ohio Biking Adventure (GOBA) 11 times, and is an experienced rider who logs 2000 miles a year in West Central Ohio. We welcome Gary to our team!

These  past  twelve rides would not have been possible without other riders who have also shared in the riding and fundraising. Charlotte Reicks has ridden all the rides except in 2000. Others include Scott Springer (see above), Amanda Adams (Border War on HD), John & Marie Elsner (Ramble 'Round the Colonies), Sherri Kole (KATY Trail portion of Kick HD on Route 66, Midwest Meander for HD, and Rockies to Plains), Sandy Lozier (Midwest Meander for HD and Rockies to Plains), Shana Martin (Midwest Meander for HD),  Shane Williams (Border War on HD) and Sara Jaramillo and her then seven year old daughter Cassie (Rockies to Plains)  My wonderful husband Ron has been "the wind beneath my wings" over the years, forwarding my Daily Messages on e-mail to now over 400 folks, helping manage our website. Heartfelt gratitude to Jennifer Hickok, who designs a new website each year.

The rides always end up at the site of the HDSA National Convention. In Pittsburgh PA in 2008, Marie was honored as the recipient of the National Award for Outstanding Fundraising.

Thanks to all past donors who have given to help find a cure! These rides have changed my life for the better. My grafting into the HD Community (since it does not run in my family) has afforded me opportunities to meet some of the most amazing people I know.