Thank you for visiting my 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 elaborate about its humble beginnings and how far it has come.

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 Huntingtons and Portraits of Huntington's via the Christians Writer's Group list. In June 1998, at Carmen's invitation, I attended the 13th Annual HDSA National 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 the the Fall of 1998, I met Charlotte Reicks, through a mutual friend. They 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 Bike for the Cure 99, 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 friend of Pat Pillis) stepped up and said he would ride, in Kevin's place. Scott and I rode Bike for the Cure 2000 from Santa Monica CA to the Canaveral National Seashore outside Orlando FL. Other subsequent rides include 2001 Border War on HD (Vancouver BC to Tijuana MX), 2002 Ramble 'Round the Colonies (Manchester NH to Columbus OH), 2003 Trek Across Texas (Texline TX to Houston TX), 2004 Kick HD on Route 66 (Albuquerque NM to St. Louis MO and across Missouri on the KATY Trail), 2005 Coastin' for HD (Wilmington DE to Atlanta GA), 2006 Midwest Meander for HD (Kearney NE to Milwaukee WI and Chicago IL to St. Louis MO), 2007 Rockies to Plains (Grand Junction CO to Oklahoma City OK),  2008 Cycle the Heartland for HD (Clinton MO to Pittsburgh PA), and 2009 Canyons to Cactus (Grand Junction CO to Phoenix AZ). More than 18,000 miles have been pedaled, through parts of  40 states and Washington DC. In eleven rides, $489,000 has been raised; this year's goal is to bring the total to $529,000 and to add four more states (Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and Tennessee) to our total.

None of these rides would have been possible without the other riders who have shared in the vision, by riding and fundraising. Charlotte Reicks has ridden all of the rides except in 2000. Others include Scott Springer (see above), Amanda Adams (Border War), John and Marie Elsner (Ramble 'Round the Colonies), Sherri Kole (KATY Trail portion of Kick HD on Route 66,  Midwest Meander, and Rockies to Plains), Sandy Lozier (MIdwest Meander and Rockies to Plains), Shane Williams (Border War), Shana Martin (Midwest Meander), and Sara Jaramillo and her then seven year old daughter Cassie (Rockies to Plains). None of these rides would have been possible without the support of my precious husband Ron, "the wind beneath my wings."

I also wish to publically thank HDSA for awarding me the Outstanding Fund Raising Award, commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the "Bike For The Cure" rides, at the 23rd Annual National Convention in Pittsburgh PA in 2008.

Again, this year's ride is lovingly dedicated to the memory of those we have met, from 1998 - 2009, who are with us in spirit, but no longer suffering from HD on earth.