Irish Cyclist Rides Across U.S. in 11 Days to Raise Funds to Bring U.S. Charity to Ireland
Annapolis, Maryland (PRWEB) June 24, 2014 -- Irish international cyclist Joe Barr from Derry and Donegal in the NW of Ireland and the 7 members of his Team IRELAND crew made sports history by completing in eleven days the 3020-mile Race Across America (RAAM) from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland.
Joe and Team IRELAND were men and a woman on a mission in one of the world’s most arduous and challenging professional and amateur cycling endurance competitions that is held each June on a transcontinental course across the mountains, deserts and plains of the United States in the heat and humidity of summer.
Team IRELAND’s primary goals were to ensure that Joe, their 18 hour plus a day solo rider, was given all the logistical, communications, nutritional, medical and morale support to safely reach Annapolis within the twelve day time limit for all RAAM participants; Plus securing the financial sponsorship and funds to help bring the American charity - HOPECAM (http://www.HOPECAM.ORG) to Ireland in 2015 to provide support to children who are hospitalized and/or homebound with cancer.
Joe knows the personal challenges that families involved with cancer face on a daily basis. His son and wife each have this disease and it is projected that 465 young people in Ireland will have to deal with cancer in 2015.
Len Forkas the Founder of HOPECAM-USA, due to his son’s battle with a life threatening cancer, was a successful participant in RAAM -2012, and met Joe Barr near the top of the Rockies, where the Irishman had almost died due to severe oxygen deprivation and partial lung collapse.
Joe recovered, a friendship developed and Len said at the finish line of Team Ireland’s accomplishment in RAAM 2014, where Joe, who celebrated his 55th birthday in route came second in the 50 to 59 year age group amazing fans with his speed through the hills of West Virginia:
“Team Ireland and Joe Barr don’t know the meaning of the word quit. They are great inspirational people and voluntary leaders in the establishment of HOPECAM - IRELAND in 2015.”
During Joe’s 11 days on his bike he took time each night to call children with cancer to share with them and their families how proud he was to be associated with HOPECAM and to let them know that they were the reason he was competing in RAAM 2014. During one call, he told a child his favorite food is pizza. Five of the children were at the finish line to greet Joe and share a pizza.
At the finish line, Joe said, “I want to thank my wife and family for their love, support and encouragement of my quest for Team IRELAND to successfully complete the Race Across America and help establish HOPECAM - IRELAND . In addition I wish to emphasize that this was a four year Team IRELAND effort and without the remarkable talent and unwavering support of my ‘magnificent seven crew’ this event would have been ‘mission impossible.’ As ever, I am indebted to our sponsors, contributors and the wonderful young people who are battling cancer. They are my inspiration!”
On Monday at the final RAAM -2014 celebration dinner in Annapolis Governor Martin O’Malley will issue a proclamation designating June 23 Race Across America, HOPECAM and Team IRELAND Day in the State of Maryland.
Hopecam is a U.S. based 501c3 charity with the mission of using technology to overcome the social isolation—among the first side effects of treatment—of children with cancer. They give the children iPads, pay for Internet access if the family is without, then work with the school to persuade them to establish a regular Skype video chat connection with the child. Founded 11 years ago by the parent of a child with cancer, Hopecam has grown to serve hundreds of children across the United States. All services are provided free to the families and schools thanks to the generosity of donors. For additional information about Hopecam, or to make a donation, contact: Executive Director Susan Koehler at 703.364.5606 or susan(at)hopecam(dot)org. Visit Annapolis, Maryland--Irish international cyclist Joe Barr from Derry and Donegal in the NW of Ireland and the 7 members of his Team IRELAND crew made sports history by completing in eleven days the 3020-mile Race Across America (RAAM) from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland.
Joe and Team IRELAND were men and a woman on a mission in one of the world’s most arduous and challenging professional and amateur cycling endurance competitions, that is held each June on a transcontinental course across the mountains, deserts and plains of the United States in the heat & humidity of summer.
Team IRELAND’s primary goals were to ensure that Joe, their 18 hour plus a day solo rider, was given all the logistical, communications, nutritional, medical and morale support to safely reach Annapolis within the twelve day time limit for all RAAM participants; Plus securing the financial sponsorship and funds to help bring the American charity - HOPECAM (http://www.HOPECAM.ORG) to Ireland in 2015 to provide support to children who are hospitalized and/or homebound with cancer.
Joe knows the personal challenges that families involved with cancer face on a daily basis. His son and wife each have this disease and it is projected that 465 young people in Ireland will have to deal with cancer in 2015.
Len Forkas the Founder of HOPECAM-USA, due to his son’s battle with a life threatening cancer, was a successful participant in RAAM -2012, and met Joe Barr near the top of the Rockies, where the Irishman had almost died due to severe oxygen deprivation and partial lung collapse.
Joe recovered, a friendship developed and Len said at the finish line of Team Ireland’s accomplishment in RAAM 2014, where Joe, who celebrated his 55th birthday in route came second in the 50 to 59 year age group amazing fans with his speed through the hills of West Virginia:
“Team Ireland and Joe Barr don’t know the meaning of the word quit. They are great inspirational people and voluntary leaders in the establishment of HOPECAM - IRELAND in 2015.”
During Joe’s 11 days on his bike he took time each night to call children with cancer to share with them and their families how proud he was to be associated with HOPECAM and to let them know that they were the reason he was competing in RAAM 2014. During one call, he told a child his favorite food is pizza. Five of the children were at the finish line to greet Joe and share a pizza.
At the finish line, Joe said, “ I want to thank my wife and family for their love, support and encouragement of my quest for Team IRELAND to successfully complete the Race Across America and help establish HOPECAM - IRELAND . In addition I wish to emphasize that this was a four year Team IRELAND effort and without the remarkable talent and unwavering support of my ‘magnificent seven crew’ this event would have been ‘mission impossible.’ As ever, I am indebted to our sponsors, contributors and the wonderful young people who are battling cancer. They are my inspiration!”
On Monday at the final RAAM -2014 celebration dinner in Annapolis Governor Martin O’Malley will issue a proclamation designating June 23 Race Across America, HOPECAM and Team IRELAND Day in the State of Maryland.
Hopecam is a U.S. based 501c3 charity with the mission of using technology to overcome the social isolation—among the first side effects of treatment—of children with cancer. They give the children iPads, pay for Internet access if the family is without, then work with the school to persuade them to establish a regular Skype video chat connection with the child. Founded 11 years ago by the parent of a child with cancer, Hopecam has grown to serve hundreds of children across the United States. All services are provided free to the families and schools thanks to the generosity of donors. For additional information about Hopecam, or to make a donation, contact: Executive Director Susan Koehler at 703.364.5606 or susan(at)hopecam(dot)org. Visit http://www.hopecam.org to learn more.
Susan Koehler, Hopecam, http://www.hopecam.org, +1 (703-364-5606, [email protected]
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