Push Barb Across Iowa!!

My summer vacation this year doesn't involve a trip to Europe, sightseeing through museums in a major city,  lounging poolside, cruising an exotic locale or planting myself on a sandy beach while dipping my toes in the ocean.

For the fifth year in a row, my week vacation involves camping in rural Iowa, sleeping on the ground in stifling, windless, humid July nights, and cycling each day 50 - 90 miles a day to get myself from western Iowa to the Mississippi.

I can imagine what is going through your head....."she's crazy," "has she lost her flipping mind?," and "what is she thinking?"

You are all correct in thinking those sentiments.

The reason I keep spending my summer vacation in this fashion is because I can't imagine NOT spending a week in this fashion.

A week surrounded by like-minded cancer hating friends (whom where all strangers when I started this).  No, not friends......FAMILY.

I ride for Team LIVESTRONG.

I ride for those than cannot.

I ride to educate and advocate for an organization that has identified gaps in the resources needed by the cancer community.....and fills these gaps.

I'll do the riding.  I'll pitch my tent.  I'll sleep on the ground.  I'll shower in high school gyms.  I'll get up each morning and do it over again, and again, and again.

But in order to do this, I need to raise at least $1,000.  In years past, I have been over $7,000.  This year I'm only at $183!!

Why??

I am riding 468 miles across Iowa in July to support LIVESTRONG and raise funds needed to continue providing these FREE services.  

FREE navigation services that provide assistance to survivors, caregivers and health professionals.  Services that go beyond a diagnosis.

LIVESTRONG Navigation Services saw a 40% increase in usage this past year, which means even more people were provided tools to assist in their cancer battle.  These services are free due to donations.

Sadly, the number of people that get cancer each year continues to rise (1 out of every 2 humans will get cancer - look around you......someone in the room with you WILL get cancer).  In 2015, it was estimated there would be an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 589,430 cancer deaths in the US.

These cancer survivors, their caregivers, their families and their health care providers need the services provided by LIVESTRONG.

But again, I can only ride and support the foundation if I raise the funds.  So how can you help?

Well, simply....make a donation.

It's that easy.  Click the link below and donate whatever you can afford.....$10, $20, $50, $100, $500.  It all helps!

PUSH BARB ACROSS IOWA

Please leave a comment below for anyone I can ride in their honor or memory.  Knowing I am helping others makes it that much easier to get up the hills, to keep pedaling each day.  And knowing I am honoring your loved ones makes it all that more special for me.....it helps push me!