Front Page News!

I opened the Hannibal paper this morning and here's what I found on the front page. Thanks Don; great story.

http://www.hannibal.net/stories/07262007/local_news_j3_001.xml.shtml

Hannibal native rides bike over 900 miles to raise awareness about ovarian cancer
By DON KRAUSE Of the Courier-Post

For 10 days and about 920 miles from Vail, Colo., to Hannibal, Brad Wingate and Bob Lewis rode their bikes with a purpose for others. They weren't raising money, but they were raising awareness about ovarian cancer - disease that often goes unnoticed until it's too late.

Wingate's interest in ovarian cancer is personal. His wife, Susan DeFrank Wingate, lost her battle with the disease in 2005.

Wingate, a Hannibal native, lives in Tempe, Ariz, and Lewis resides in Mesa, Ariz.

"It comes on so subtley," Wingate said about ovarian cancer Wednesday afternoon during a reception for him and his riding partner at the James E. Cary Cancer Center. His wife was diagnosed with an advanced stage of the disease. Looking back, she realized she had most of the symptoms, but didn't make a connection, he said.

Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer include: pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort, vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets, such as gas, nausea and indigestion, frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection, unexplained weight gain or loss, pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and /or feeling of fullness, ongoing unusual fatigue, or unexplained changes in bowel habits.

"Just pay attention to your own health," he said. "If you see changes you should tell the doctor."

A long-distance bike rider, who logs about 10,000 to 12,000 miles a year, the CycleQuest ride was a method to raise awareness. In addition to the ride, a blog at www.cyclequest.blogspot.com kept others informed of their progress as well as provided additional information on ovarian cancer.

That communication vehicle generated good responses, according to Wingate. "I see that as very successful."

The goal of the trip was to create awareness of the disease and its symptoms, with the ultimate goal of saving others.

"If we can do that for one person, so they don't have to go through that - life goal achieved," he said with a thumbs up sign.

The trip to Hannibal ended Tuesday, but Wingate isn't done. He hopes to do another ride in the fall. Next year, maybe expanding the ride and doing something larger with more cyclists.

"We're not sure. We'll see where it goes."

We fly out late this afternoon from St. Louis. CoolByke in Hannibal is shipping our bikes for us.

Brad (and Bob)