On the average nearly 1,500 people die every day in the United States from one form of cancer or another. The Bush administration for the second year in a row is suggesting cutting the budget for the National Cancer Institute. Therefore it is more important than ever that we as individuals try to raise as much money as possible to find a cure for cancer.

As a cancer survivor I got interested in raising funds for cancer research and last year participated in a cancer fund-raising project called the BriarRose Grand Peloton.

It is a 25-mile casual bike ride that is held during the Tour de Georgia. Last year we raised $50,000 for the Georgia Cancer Coalition.

This year I am involved in the same event and our ride is scheduled for April 21.

I entered Peachtree City in a community challenge with Roswell and Augusta to see which community could raise the most money via the BriarRose Grand Peloton.

We need two things. We need individual recreational riders from the Peachtree City area to join this fund-raising event. All they need to do is contact me at realmccoy728@earthlink.net or 678-423-1097 and I will sign them up.

The signup fee of $50 has been waived, but they must pledge to raise $500 by April 16. In return they will receive a special BriarRose Grand Peloton cycling jersey and several other gifts as well as two passes to the pre-race social, a hospitality tent at the finish line and a fall thank-you ride with a catered lunch.

We also need donations from the community so that Peachtree City can win the community challenge.

Donations can be made on line at http://www.active.com/donate/grandpeloton2007/PCyclin or they can go by Bicycles Unlimited in Peachtree City and place a donation in the donation box located there.

All net proceeds raised go to the Georgia Cancer Coalition and all the cancer research will be done in Georgia. All donations are tax deductible. No donation is too small.

Help find a cure for this dreaded disease.

Lee McCoy

15-month esophageal cancer survivor

lee (at) southeastagnet.com

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