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Barb: Donna might want to contact Robin Elliott at the PDF in New York. They were working on a similar project not too long ago and it would be great if everyone could work together to make it happen. carole Cassidy At 11:43 PM 7/30/98 EDT, you wrote: >Bike-A-Thon Information from Donna J. Kos via Barb Brock of Troy, MI: > >The following letter was sent to me by Donna J. Kos who is planning a Bike-A- >Thon across the U. S. to raise money for increased research that will >eventually lead to a cure for Parkinson's Disease. Donna was to speak at the >PAN Forum but time ran out, so she has written listed participants in the hope >that we will each pass the information on to our various support groups. In >that YOU are my support group, I am reprinting Donna's letter on both lists in >the hope that those who are interested will write to Donna to lend their >support or thoughts. I shall pass it on to the Michigan Parkinson's >Foundation as well. To my way of thinking, it is an absolutely terrific way >to bring national recognition to our plight/cause in addition to needed >research money. It is also a wonderful tribute to Donna's father. He must >have been a wonderful man to have such a dedicated daughter. Donna can be >reached at: > >571 Orlando Avenue >Akron, OH 44320 >(330) 867-8855 > >And now, the letter: > >July 26, 1998 >Dear Barb: >I was present at the Public Policy Forum last month in Washington, D. C. I >was to have given a 5 minute presentation, but as it turned out, they didn't >have time for me. I got your name and address from the list of participants. > >I am in the process of planning a Bike-A-Thon across the United States to >raise money for increased research that will eventually lead to a cure for >Parkinson's Disease. I estimate it will take me 9 weeks to bike from San >Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL. The daily mileage will range between 30-65 >miles with the opportunity for other bicyclists to ride with me on any given >day. In order to participate in the ride, the bicyclists will need to >preregister and to turn in the donations from their sponsors. > >I am a member of the Akron Area Parkinson's Support Group and have been for >many years. My father had Parkinson's for about 17 years; he died in March of >'96. I got the idea for the Bike-A-Thon about four months after his passing. > >At present I am going to different PD Support groups in Ohio and giving a talk >about my idea of the Bike-A-Thon and letting people know how they can help. >Would you be able to pass this letter on to your local Support group? Maybe >they would be interested in having me come to one of their meetings to give my >presentation. > >I have some friends in Flint and I think I may be going up there within the >next couple months to give my presentation to their PD Support group. > >I know the only way the Bike-A-Thon can be successful is if I can get >thousands of people interested in helping to spread the word. The Bike-A-Thon >will be officially sanctioned by the National Parkinson's Foundation of Miami, >FL. >Sincerely, >Donna J. Kos > >