Team FARA Races Across America to Raise Awareness for Friedreich's a
Posted by: "mdown4@aol.com" mdown4@aol.com
Date: Thu Feb 4, 2010 9:35 am ((PST))
Team FARA Races Across America to Raise Awareness for Friedreich's ataxia
February 4, 2010- The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance is fielding a
team of four cyclists in the "world's toughest bicycle race" - Race Across
America (RAAM). Beginning on June 12, 2010 in Oceanside, CA, Team FARA will
ride in a relay format until reaching the finish in Annapolis, Maryland
approximately 9 days later. Over 215 RAAM competitors will travel a 3,000+
mile route with 100,000 vertical feet of climbing at an average minimum speed
of 14 mph.
Team FARA in RAAM consists of 4 members- FARA's Spokesperson and Ride
Ataxia Program Director- Kyle Bryant as well as Ride Ataxia cyclists- Sean
Baumstark, John Lockwood and Mike Mellott. Bryant states, "Sometimes it takes a
crazy idea to get noticed. Our Team is excited to use our RAAM journey as
a vehicle to draw attention to the rare disease which affects both me and
Sean and so many others. We also hope that it encourages all people- with
and without physical limitations to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle
and challenge their preconceived notions of what is possible."
Team FARA's strategy for crossing the country in under 9 days is to create
2 man sub-teams that ride for 8 hour shifts, alternating 30 minutes each
on the road. This will allow the team to have at least one rider on the move
24 hours a day. This endeavor will require a great deal of planning and
coordination from the team's 8 person support crew as well as the assistance
of the FA community.
Team FARA in RAAM needs your help. YOU can support the team with:
* Sponsorships
* Volunteering
* In Kind Donations
* Local Media Outreach
* Support Along the Route
To find out more about the team, the route they will travel, and how you can help. http://teamfara.blogspot.com
About RAAM
RAAM is currently the most recognized, longest endurance cycling event in
the world, and garners worldwide respect for the sheer magnitude of its
fitness challenge. _www.raceacrossamerica.org_
About Ride Ataxia
The mission of Ride Ataxia is to Educate the public about ataxia by
drawing attention through acts of physical endurance, Enable the advancement of
ataxia research through collaborative financial support, and Empower
ataxians by inspiring, motivating, and providing opportunities to develop
physical and mental strength.
There will be four Ride Ataxia events in 2010- Tampa Bay, FL, April 13;
Northern California- Folsom, CA, May 15-16; Philadelphia, PA October TBD;
Southern California- Los Angeles, CA, December 3-4. _www.rideataxia.org_
About FARA
The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance's (FARA) mission is to marshal
and focus the resources and relationships needed to cure FA by raising funds
for research, promoting public awareness, and aligning scientists,
patients, clinicians, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies and other
organizations dedicated to curing FA and related diseases.
Contact
Jennifer Farmer
Executive Director, Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance
(484) 875 3015
(mailto:info@curefa.org)
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