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Barbara Brock 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