I am writing to ya'll because my brother first wrote...
" Malignant Melanoma late stage 3 early stage 4. I can not tell you, unless you have been there, what you feel like when they say your name and cancer in the same sentence. Then they add that "Stage 4" thing. There is no stage 5, stage 4 ends it all. Well if you know me and have followed this far, you know that I now have 4 new sets of scars and Praise God, no active cancer cells. The reality is I will likely develop more."
Duane is a Pastor of a church in Az, married for almost 25 year and father of six. A couple of masters degrees...black belt (or some impressive color)...eagle scout ...you know your basic over achiever. I covet his baby blue eyes and wavy hair. I really wanted to be able to beat him at something. There are rumors that I beat him up regularly.
But he is my runt, my geeky baby brother and my friend. I was afraid and didn't know what to do....this is one of Duane's solutions

AZ TO DC BIKE TREK....
So across the country we go, trying to get people to understand how to check and protect themselves from this killer that is so easily stopped. 2500 miles and the goal will be to raise 10,000 dollars for awareness and research through sponsorships and donations. We want to meet and greet and inform people how to check their skin as we go. Contacting local news stations along the way, churches, schools. A middle aged preacher man, My nephew and his friend, a young lady soldier....and me (I am not riding a bike but a scooter instead!!!!)
Our training: We need to be able to ride 100 miles a day and then be able to sit on the seat the next day. * I have been training just as hard as Duane!
well, we have a start on the donations! Please help us get going.
This site: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/AZ2DC/Grassroots-Fundraisers
is for tax deductible donation toward Melanoma research. If you want to help us offset the cost of the trip(Food, socks, airfare, gasoline water pop...you know stuff!!) (approx 3,000) you need to contact Duane (I'll give you the number) directly and that will NOT be tax deductible.

I will be Blogging the whole way....We leave late May and Duane assures me we will be back by the forth!
Dawn Marie