On July 14th I embarked on my solo ride from Sergeant Bluff, Iowa to Ocean City, NJ, no follow-up car, no chair, no safety net! Just me and the road. 

You may recall five years ago, I set off on a personal quest to cycle across the county and raise funds for the FPS mission. Eighteen days into my trip, I was struck by a truck in Iowa and because of my injuries, was left paralyzed.

I knew that when I was in rehab after the accident that I would one day complete this ride. In 2021, this goal was realized! I started in Iowa and completed the remaining 1200 miles achieving my ultimate goal of putting my chair and hands in the mighty ocean when I reached my destination in Ocean City, NJ. I was even greeted with beautiful fan fair from the community, which was a priceless experience for me.

My grandfather, Earl “Pinky” died of cancer when I was a sophomore at Bloomsburg University; I know what cancer can do and this too strikes you in a moment without notice. And all you have left when someone dies of cancer are memories that flood your heart and mind. My memory of “Pinky” is about riding, riding miles of trail, together. 

I dedicate my ride to my grandfather and my uncle, David Bechtel, a resident of the OCNJ area, gone too soon. 

For the next month, I will ride for the families that FPS helps each day –young families facing a bright future who in one second hear the word cancer and their lives are changed forever. It is during this challenging time that FPS reaches out to families and helps them realize that they do not walk the cancer journey alone; FPS is next to them every mile of the way. Whether families makes memories as part of the Travel Respite Program or create special moments with a Staycation Respite at home, the gift of family, the support of community and the kindness and generosity of strangers forever impacts the lives of hundreds facing cancer each year though the FPS mission.

See you August 13th, at the Ocean City Boardwalk! Don't ask me what time. 

Jared