Summarized by Rosemary Pollock
Bikers continue trek for cancer
(BYU) Daily Universe 27Jul99 C7
By Curtis L. Black: NewsNet Staff Writer
On July 5, Ryan Hughes, 22, and Jeff Brand, 23, began a 4200 mile
cross-country journey near Seattle to raise cancer awareness. "We drove
north to Mukilteo, Washington placed the rear tires of the bicycles in
the Pacific Ocean, and they were off," said John Brand, Jeff's father.
Ryan Hughes who is studying business at BYU along with Jeff Brand, a
UVSC student, are averaging about l00 miles per day and are ahead of
schedule. "They've crashed and burned several times," said Toni
Tomlinson, Central Utah Area director of the American Cancer Society.
"They said they are getting good at crashing." "They're sore. They're
pushing themselves really hard, but they say they know the pain will
stop sometime soon," Tomlinson said.
In preparation for the trek, Hughes and Brand spent countless hours
operating booths in front of grocery stores accepting donations for the
American Cancer Society. The gear that they are using on the trip was
donated by local businesses.
In Montana, the driver of their support vehicle decided to turn back
for Washington. The rest of the journey has found Hughes and Brand
packing all their gear on the bikes.
Hughes and Brand have been featured on local TV and radio broadcasts.
A welcome-home party is planned for mid-August. All previously donated
gear will be raffled off and the proceeds will be donated to the local
chapter of the American Cancer Society. Tomlinson has arranged several
local speaking engagements for the cyclists. "It's just tremendous what
they're doing for cancer awareness. They are making a difference,"
Tomlinson said.
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