It has been 2 weeks since I completed my Pacific Coast bike ride, also 2 weeks since I have been on the bike.  First, Don and I had to drive over 2,000 miles to get back to Indiana, then I encountered colder fall temperatures once home.  I miss my bike – and my biking friends, but currently I am busy preparing for several large family gatherings for Thanksgiving.

This past Sunday I attended our church for the first time in 12 weeks and received lots of welcoming hugs.  Best of all was the hug from Jim, for whom I had dedicated my ride.  He looked so healthy, good color and a full head of gray hair  (see below)!  That hug was the almost perfect ending to my six weeks of biking.

But I must say I was/am disappointed with my fund-raising efforts.  I had set a goal of $5,000, but my combined total (Crowdrise and direct donations) is just $3,000.  It’s not too late to make a donation, to celebrate my successful bike ride and to celebrate Jim’s remission.  I rode 1800 miles and managed 72,000 ft of elevation gain; Jim withstood months of immunotherapy and radiation to achieve remission from melanoma.  Won’t you help?

Please consider a donation: crowdrise.com/dolly-bikes-the-pacific-coast1
Since Crowdrise (the fundraising host site) charges some fees, you might also consider making a donation by check to Outrun the Sun, Inc., 8435 Keystone Crossing #175, Indianapolis, IN 46240 (please write Dolly on the note line).

Outrun the Sun is dedicated to building awareness of melanoma and other skin cancers, educating communities about preventive measures that reduce melanoma’s incidence rate, and raising funds for melanoma research, leading to treatments and a cure.

Maybe you don’t know Jim.  But I am betting you or a family member or a friend may have been treated for basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, maybe even melanoma.  Let your dollars help to build awareness and maybe find a cure.

Happy Thanksgiving!