Localcycling pal Jeff Unruh has sent this letter to the newsdesk about a ride for a very worthy cause.
Dr. Jeff Unruh February 10, 2006
7630 SW Indian Woods Place
Topeka, KS 66615
(785)-478-3611
Dear Cycling Friends :
Greetings and salutations from the west side of Topeka! As you may or may not know, in September of 2004 my father, Allen Unruh, passed away at the age of 78 from complications due to Parkinson’s Disease. This disease affects more than 1.5 million people in the United States alone. Michael J. Fox and legendary American cyclist Davis Phinney are but a few among the many battling this disease. There is currently no cure for this terrible disease, only symptom management through medication, physical therapy, and surgery. However, ongoing research has uncovered a number of new modalities for treatment and, one day, a cure. This research comes at a substantial cost, which is mainly privately funded through grants and donations.
This is where I come into the picture. I’ll be honest with you, I’m a bit passionate about cycling and decided to take my base training to another level (ha!). So in order to honor my father’s memory and raise much needed money for Parkinson’s Research, this spring from April 23rd to May 20th I will be riding my bicycle across America. That’s right; I’m going to drag my carcass from Irvine, CA to Savannah, GA. This is a fully supported tour through America by Bicycle. We will cover almost 3,000 miles, cross the continental divide, and ride in 9 states all in 27 days. I have partnered with the University of Kansas Endowment Association in order to raise funds that will go directly to Parkinson’s Disease Research at KU Medical Center. A gift of 1 penny per mile is only $30. So I am asking you to support my quest to raise $10,000+ with your tax-deductible gift of $30, $50, $100 or more to KU Endowment. Group/Corporate gifts are also welcome.
You may make your gift by check or credit card using the enclosed gift form and postage-return envelope. This should be done by April 14th, 2006. If you prefer, you may donate on-line as follows: www.kuendowment.org, click on “Giving” and then click on “Give Now.” Next click on “make a gift on-line with my credit card.” Select “other” in the drop-down box of options and type in the amount of your gift where indicated. IMPORTANT: Make sure you type in “Bike Across America” in the Special Instructions box before completing the remainder of your credit transaction. This is a secure website and your credit card information will be handled safely. You may also make a gift of stock. Please contact Lorie Worner at KU Endowment at 1-(888)-588-5249 with questions about donating stock or any other questions about your gift.
Parkinson’s Disease is a disabling and debilitating illness, but better treatments and a cure can be developed through research. Through your generous donation towards my cross-country odyssey, together we can help that goal be realized! Thanks in advance for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. If you wish to follow along during the ride America by Bicycle has a guide who writes a daily synopsis. This can be found at abbike.com and click n “current tour.” Also, I will be filing my own diary every few days on LocalCycling.com. Should you have any questions I can be reached at (785)-478-3611 or junruh3@cox.net.
Best Regards,
Jeff Unruh M.D.