A Ride For 3 Reasons - The $65,000 Challenge Returns!

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By Bob Lee Ride Date: September 5
Damariscotta Mills to Camden, ME — 41 Miles

Quickenloansgrey_3 As I write this, I am 3 days behind in blogging, so I want to fast forward for a moment to share some very exciting information. In previous blogs I have talked about the support from Quicken Loans and the Cavaliers. They have been instrumental in developing the site, marketing the site, contacting the press, providing a laptop, camera and video camera; etc. In addition, their financial commitment to the three charities has been unbelievable. They have donated over $20,000. I can’t thank their whole organization enough. The ‘culture’ of a company usually starts at the top and in this case I know it does. David Katzman, their Vice Chairman has been a business associate and friend for over 20 years and has been very instrumental in supporting A Ride for 3 Reasons in addition to many other philanthropic efforts. It was through the encouragement of Quicken Loans that I made the right decision to change the goal from $65,000 per charity to a total of $500,000.

Now how do WE make it to our goal?

What started this RIDE with such enthusiasm was the $65,000 Challenge Grant from the Duchossois Family Foundation. I am very pleased and honored to announce that we have the opportunity to end the RIDE with the same enthusiasm and success as the RIDE started! This week as the odometer was getting close to 6,500 mile I received a few special phone calls. Two calls were from Yellow Jersey friends, Rich & Bonnie Hulina and Tom & Sylvia Collins who have followed the RIDE and been so supportive from day one. The other call was from David Katzman. The essence of each call was “ how can we help” in achieving the goal of $500,000.

I am ecstatic to announce that by putting these great heads and hearts together we can announce that a new matching fund of $65,000 had been committed to encourage us all give our best efforts to spreading the word and sharing our wealth for 3 wonderful causes. Where else can you double your money and know a 100% of your contributions will be used effectively? Used for research to find cures for Cancer and ALS or used to make more people aware of the wonderful works of Hospice. Please remind your e-mail list, friends, neighbors, work associated, clubs and organizations to visit www.3reasons.org and get involved by making a donation. It has been an honor to share the beauty of our country and the generosity of so many Americans. Now to achieve the goal of $500,000! With your help and the generosity of the “matching Grant” we can climb this hill together.

Now, Back to The Ride...

Last night I said I would show you the ground of the Mill Pond B & B, but first I need some breakfast. The breakfast was not only pretty but also look at this back yard.

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I heard a loon calling but unfortunately this one I was on the wall. It was an amazing photograph taken by local artist John Whalley . I missed an equally good shot as I sat by the pond talking on the phone. An eagle soared over the pond – a picture I captured in my head and not on the camera.

But these dragonflies and butterflies didn’t miss my zoom.

And the macro lens saw this lichen.

What a beautiful country we have and it was time to say good-bye to the pond and hop on the bike.

When I saw this “dancing girl” I knew I was back on the same route as this spring. As much as she must have danced in the past three months it doesn’t look like she lost much weight.

I wouldn’t have seen this statue of General Ulysses S. Grant in the south. Question: What was General Grant’s horses name? I will share the answer at the end of the blog. I hope you already know that General Lee’s horse’s name was Traveler.

This tractor picture won’t mean anything to anybody, but it does to me. I was very involved in introducing the first Hydrostatic IH tractors into the market place. Now it is all history.

As I rode by this memorial stone this spring I took a picture of it. I am glad it is still here and not on top of me.

I have just a few more days and I hope no one will mention the word “fall.” I am looking forward to a lazy day this summer.

This afternoon I had a special lunch date with Trish and Steve Barnes. Most of you don’t know them in person but many have seen their talents. They own Noble Clay and make anniversary plates for weddings, births and anniversaries. Anne has been one of their better customers for years and years and years. This afternoon it was nice to celebrate in our own special way. A very special celebration – LIFE! Trish is a survivor and it was good to share our common bond. I am not sure if you read in the site under Tell Us Your Story on the Message Board so I will copy it here.

I was diagnosed with GIST (Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumor) after surgery in June 2004 to remove a large tumor from the outside of my large intestine. This is a rare sarcoma cancer, only 5000 new cases in the USA each year (compared to 180,000 new breast cancer cases).

I am being treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston by wonderful committed oncologists and researchers who have dedicated their lives to working with these deadly cancers.

Before 2000, there was no treatment for GIST after surgery. There is an 80% tumor recurrence rate. It was fatal. Patients did not respond to chemotherapy or radiation: it was a death sentence. Now there is a fabulous "targeted therapy" drug called Gleevec that stops the uncontrolled multiplication of the cancer cells: it stops the tumors in their tracks. There are very few and manageable side effects and GIST patients are now surviving many healthy years with this seemingly simple treatment: one pill each day forever.

The fact that even such a rare cancer inspires researchers to develop treatment options is amazing to me. They are our heroes, these dedicated people in their laboratories and hospitals. I owe my life to their life’s work.

Money raised for cancer research goes directly to support these scientists and their labs. They are making constant progress in treating many kinds of cancer, more discoveries all the time. It is so wonderful!

We cheer Bob on his trip of discovery and dedication and look forward to meeting him in Maine, our home state. You go, Bob!

--Trish Barnes, Tenants Harbor, Maine

To me this is the essence of why we ride for cancer – to make survivors! If someone hadn’t raised fund for research previously, Trish and I might not have had the opportunity to have lunch today. Hopefully your donations to A RIDE FOR 3 REASONS will be a gift of life for someone else someday.

Trish and Steve invited a reporter to lunch and you can read Erin’s story.

After lunch we stood and just watched our flag. Aren’t we lucky???