• Bicycle Tour to Raise Funds for UI Sarcoma Cancer Research
• Cyclists Support UI Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence

Bicycle Tour Raises Funds for UI Sarcoma Cancer Research
Organizers are preparing for a bicycle tour through the Amish countryside near Hills, Iowa, on Saturday, June 17, to honor the memory of a local man and raise funds to study the cancer that took his life.

The event will honor the memory of Seth Bailey of Kalona, who died in 2003 following an eight-year battle with soft-tissue synovial sarcoma cancer. Proceeds will support a research program devoted to studying sarcoma cancer at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa.

Colleen Chapleau, director of the Iowa Marrow Program at UI Hospitals and Clinics, will serve as honorary chair of the event. Chapleau is a veteran of the national Tour of Hope, a bike ride across the United States led by cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong to raise public awareness about the importance of cancer research.

Bailey competed as a varsity basketball player in his senior year of high school while wearing a prosthetic leg following the amputation of his right leg just below the knee. He also was active in intramural sports while he attended Iowa State University. He served as an intern for the U.S. Olympic Committee while training as a swimmer in hopes of making the Paralympic national team, until his cancer recurred.

The Tour to Cure ride honors Bailey's active lifestyle, love of sports and courage. Bicyclists will leave Hills City Park beginning at 4 p.m. for a ride through Amish farm country at chore time. There are three routes of varied lengths that are all rated in the moderate difficulty category.

Riders and non-riders alike may purchase a meal and raffle tickets at the park following the ride and enjoy free live entertainment from 6 to 10 p.m. Riders are encouraged to seek donations from supporters. Donations are due by 6 p.m. on June 17. For more information, call 319-679-2629.

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is Iowa's only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center. NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers are recognized as the leaders in developing new approaches to cancer prevention and cancer care, conducting leading edge research and educating the public about cancer.

For more information:

Tour-to-Cure Donations and Information

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center

Iowa Marrow Donor Program

Members of the public were able to meet the entourage Tuesday, May 30, in the John Pappajohn Pavilion in UI Hospitals and Clinics, saw the Huntington's disease quilt that will be shown at the convention, and had the opportunity to purchase Huntington's disease bracelets and t-shirts.

Marie Nemec and friends are bike riding on a "Midwest Meander for Huntington's Disease" as they head to the National Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) convention in Milwaukee. The HDSA helps fund the UI Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence.

Huntington's disease is a hereditary genetic condition that affects the central nervous system and causes significant personality changes, involuntary bodily movements, progressive dementia and early death. The condition affects nearly 30,000 Americans and puts another 250,000 at risk.

For more information:

bikeforthecure.org
Donations and Information

Huntington's Disease Center of Excellence