It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to post anything non photography related on this blog. Heck, for all I know, y’all might like it that way… but I recently signed up for a “little” 550 mile / 6 day bike ride down the coast of California. There’s a pack of maniac cyclists from the film/advertising world called The Fireflies, and every year this small group of about 20 riders tackle the Alps and the coast of California to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer, and specifically leukemia.
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After all we’ve been through with my sister’s leukemia, I couldn’t help but get involved. The motto of The Fireflies is “For Those Who Suffer, We Ride” and this small group of crazy bike riders have done a tremendous amount in only a short period of time. Long story short, I leave next week for a 6 day, 550 mile bomb down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles on my bike.
So… like everything we do for cancer survivors, there’s an opportunity for YOU to get involved. Here’s how:
1.) Beginning next FRIDAY (9/24), we leave San Francisco headed for LA (via Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Cayucos, Solvang, and Ventura). Come out and look for us as we bang out 6 days of 90 miles (I can send you our exact route). We want to see you along the way, and though I always ride for my big sister Lea and her ongoing battle with this awful disease and the aftermath of her bone marrow transplant, this time I’ll be dedicating a part of each ride to a cancer survivor that YOU tell me about. Just email directly HERE or leave a comment & send me their name etc. It may be a really steep climb, it may be the day when my legs are exhausted from the hundreds of miles I did days before… but it will motivate me to keep going, and hopefully do the same for them.
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2.) If you would like to donate some much needed cash to the good people at City of Hope and their amazing cancer center… you can do so through our Fireflies West website at www.fireflieswest.com
3.) The third way you could help, is to go find a friend who hasn’t yet registered for the bone marrow registry and get them committed to signing up. It breaks my heart to see people literally dying, because the public doesn’t realize how EASY and FREE registration and donation is. You can go HERE for the link to all the information, and the FREE registration process.
4.) If you live in LA, or near the smog of LA… PLEASE get your butt over to our arrival celebration on Wednesday, September 29th. 550 miles in 6 days, all in honor of those who suffer from cancer is a big deal, and we would like to see as many people as possible. All the information is below, and I hope to see some folks there!!
David - Wow, what an amazing experience and honor to your sister and all of the people fighting out there for their lives. Thank you for bringing money and awareness and support to such a fantastic cause. The “ride” sounds super intense. I don’t know how you do it all!!!!!
Well done.
Julie Kaylor - Brian,
Thank you so much for your support. I’ve also had a transplant for CMl like Lea. We have become cyber friends and I know how much your love and support has helped Lea to make such strides in her recovery. I’m sure you never thought you’d see the day you would be be an uncle of a wonderful baby boy! It’s people like you that help us all fight this fight. I’m a City of Hope patient, so your fund raising is extra special to me. Thanks again. Enjoy your ride. It will be quite an adventure,
Fondly,
Julie
Ginny Wedge - Thank you Brian; we are so proud of you!
This is an amazing cause and will help so many people. I will be thinking of you every day and following your route down the coast.
I know you have trained hard and it has been very difficult with a full work schedule to even fit the training in your day! Thanks again, Love, mum
Sandy McKean - Brian,
I wish you all the best in your ride down the coast. I know that you have been a great brother to Lea, but then with a sister like her how could you not be. She has been a positive force to me and my family and my husband has battled cancer Also, thank you for dedicating part of your ride to my dear friend Paula.
Sincerely
Sandy
Chris - Brian, this is SO inspiring. Thank you for being out there keeping the topic alive, motivating people and raising money. We love your beautiful photos… but we love the person behind those photos even more. Have fun and ride safe!