Each minute, cancer takes a life, which is about 1,500 lives each day, and some 560,000 each year. Nearly everyone is affected directly or indirectly. This April 25, local bicyclists and non-cyclists, too, have a chance to help fight this disease on the seventh annual Climb to Conquer Cancer.

 

Join local cycling enthusiast and ride organizer, John Cash, for up to ten round-trips up and down the Saluda Grade, beginning at Caro-Mi Dining Room, 3231 U.S. 176, Tryon.

 

The ride begins at 8 a.m., with riders gathering at Caro-Mi at 7:30.

 

Help Cash and other cyclists in their efforts to raise money and awareness to fight cancer. Tax-deductible donations will all go to the Gibbs Cancer Center’s survivorship program in Spartanburg.

 

“Come join me for one trip or all ten, or any number in between,” invites Cash, who has used cycling as a powerful tool to help others. Cash is especially inspired to help others as his parents lost their respective battles with cancer.

 

Pizza from Bucks Pizza will be available at Caro-Mi at $2 per slice and $10 per pizza carry out. All proceeds will benefit Gibbs Cancer Center.

 

While cyclists enjoy both the ride itself and meeting new friends and riding partners, Cash notes that donations are welcome and greatly appreciated from non-participants as well.

 

For their generosity, Cash particularly thanks Caro-Mi for hosting the event and providing parking, Buck’s Pizza, AAA Sanitation for providing portable toilets, and the Tryon Daily Bulletin for publicity.

 

Cash also expressed his gratitude toward the larger community.

 

“This community’s always been generous to our cause,” remarked Cash, who has more than once noted that this community is the most giving in which he’s ever lived.

 

Since 2006, this ride has raised some $70,000 to fight cancer, with $7,000 raised last year.

 

For more information, contact John Cash at Nature’s Storehouse at 828-859-6356 or naturesstore@windstream.net.

 

Donations, made out to Gibbs Cancer Center, may be mailed to Nature’s Storehouse, 427 South Trade Street, Tryon, NC 28782.

 

Cash noted that an anonymous donor pledged $50 for each trip that Cash makes up and down the grade. That donor challenged others to match or come close to her effort.

 

A more poignant story is one that Cash related about a ten-year-old girl, who came into Nature’s Storehouse a few years ago to donate to the cause. “Her aunt had lost her battle with cancer,” said Cash, and “the young girl brought her piggy bank and donated $14.

“It was very emotional, to say the least,” Cash remembered.

 

Last year’s ride honored young Green Creek resident Jenna Phipps, who passed away from cancer the day before the ride.

 

“Last year, we fought in her honor,” Cash stated. “This year, we’re fighting in her memory. If you’ve been affected by cancer, please consider giving any amount. Give in honor or memory of a family member. The fight is far from over. Join the fight!”

 

-Submitted by Mark Schmerling