John Cash is fighting his own war against cancer, the disease that claimed the lives of both his parents, and of his sister.

 “I would love to see cancer cured in my lifetime,” proclaimed the Landrum resident, who, with his wife Diane, owns and operates Nature’s Storehouse, a health food and natural supplement store in Tryon.

 Since 2009, Cash has backed up his words with his annual Climb to Conquer Cancer bicycle rides in Polk County, raising over $60,000 for the Gibbs Cancer Center’s Survivorship Program in Spartanburg. Gibbs is completing a similar facility in Greer.

 This year’s Climb to Conquer Cancer, set for Saturday, April 29, will, as have most previous editions of the ride, feature ten trips up and down the famous Saluda Grade on U.S. Hwy. 176, each “lap” gaining some 1,000 feet of elevation and over 80 miles, for the maximum ten round trips that Cash and some others will ride.

 This year’s ride will begin outside Caro Mi Dining Room, between Tryon and Saluda. Former professional cycling racers, George and Rich Hincapie, have indicated they’ll ride with Cash and others. Expect other current or former pro cyclists to also ride.

 Riders should arrive on site between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m., with clip-in at 8. The Polk County Sheriff’s Department will provide a safety escort on the first climb, during which all riders will travel together.

 Donations, made to Gibbs Cancer Center Survivorship Program, can be dropped off at the ride site, at Nature’s Storehouse, 427 South Trade Street, Tryon, or mailed to the store. Donors need not participate in the ride, but all riders are encouraged to join.

 Refreshments will be available at the April 29 ride site.

 In addition, riders and others may purchase tickets to win (only 50 tickets will be available) a 2001 Harley–Davidson Sportster 1200 motorcycle with only 2,100 miles on it. That drawing will be held at the ride site on April 29, with a portion of the proceeds going to Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute. For ticket information, phone John Cash at 828-859-6356.

 Cash offered special thanks to the folks at Buck’s Pizza (which will provide whole pizzas for a special price at the ride site outside Caro Mi Dining Room), and Black Coffee, both of Tryon, and Caro Mi for assisting with the ride.

 He also noted, “Everybody has been affected by cancer in some fashion. We really need help. Every penny given goes directly to Gibbs Cancer Center’s Survivorship Program.”

– article submitted by Mark Schmerling