Don't faint -- I want to share some really exciting news with you. 

I have once agian committed to joining 3,000 of my closest cycling friends by participating in Reach The Beach. 

I am very excited that my journey will be over 70 miles from Dallas to Amity to Pacific City.

I will be traversing the vineyards and farms of Polk County in the Willamette Valley, through the Coastal Mountain range and along the Nestucca River to the sandy beach in Pacific City. 

All for raising funds for the American Lung Association and a free beer at the Pelican Pub!

I may have not shared with you that my mother, Jane Marie Russell, passed away in April of 1985 at the age of 63, after a valiant battle with emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Please help me in finding a cure for Emphysema, COPD and Lung Cancer!

As I watched her health fail and her life slip away, I realized how brave she was for those around her during her long battle.  She so wanted to live and really kept up an incredible fight.  It was amazing to see her retain her sense of humor and dignity, even as she encountered people who perpetuated the myth that those who suffer from emphysema, COPD & lung cancer "deserve it."

And so it is in her memory that I will make my annual ride to the coast. 

Of course, she will be directing the whole thing, telling me that my clothes could be a little more "stylin?" or that I need to pick up the pace. If I can have as much strength as she did, I will have no problem making it to the beach in a personal best time. 

I will work hard to build the endurance that I will need. In order to fulfill my commitment, I need the help of friends like you to sponsor me.  Rather than making this journey solely for personal reasons, I have pledged to raise $1000.00 by May 19th of this year to support the American Lung Association.

You can help me by making a donation to my ride and the American Lung Association and help raise money to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.

I can not thank you enough for your generous support.

Bill