Cross-Country Bike Relay Is Intended To Break Cancer Cycle

Published: Aug 14, 2007

VALRICO - The father of a 10-year-old Valrico girl is one of five men planning a cross-country bicycle tour to raise money for a cancer treatment they hope can help their children lead long lives.

Kevin Sims will join Alec Oughton and Mike Love, both of Virginia, Randy Monroe of Michigan and Richard Brown of England on a 3,700-mile relay ride from Sacramento, Calif., to Washington that will begin Sept. 10. They expect the trip to take about 18 days. One rider will be on the road at all times.

Each rider has a child who has neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Sydney Sims was diagnosed in 2004 with stage four neuroblastoma and has undergone multiple rounds of antibody treatments, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

The men hope their trip raises awareness about the disease and money to pay for the manufacture of an antibody that doctors think can help their children and others with neuroblastoma, Sims said.

The riders plan to end the venture with a rally and, they hope, the support of major donors. Their goal is to raise $3 million to $5 million.

"For 3 1/2 years, I've sat and wondered what I could do for my daughter besides care for her and be there for her," Sims said. "This is like God's knocking me upside the head, saying, 'Here's something you could do.'"

For information on the tour, go to www.loneliestroad.org.

Susan Anastasia