Lynda in the News
Lynda has been just as busy as me raising awareness and money for the Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation. Following is the interview that she had with a local newspaper.
Going the extra 3,200 miles
Bike ride to raise money, awareness for fatal disease
by Andy Campbell
1/28/2005
A former local resident is preparing for an adventure that is both a personal challenge and a mission to raise money and awareness.
This spring, Lynda Reger, former co-owner of Richlyn Fries, will cycle from San Diego, California to Cocoa Beach, Florida, to raise money for Type C Niemann-Pick Disease.
“The reason I’m doing it is because of my niece and nephew,” said Reger, who currently resides in the Durham area.
Alex and Laura Vaughan both died of Niemann-Pick, a genetic disorder that affects the metabolism of cholesterol and other lipids, causing these substances to collect in vital organs. It is always fatal.
The 3,200-mile trip, across eight states, is expected to take two months.
“I’ve committed myself to 60 days of sun, rain, wind and pure enjoyment as I see the true USA,” said Reger.
Surprisingly, Reger has no cycling background. She started training for this ride last summer. She was riding between Durham and Owen Sound before the winter, and now spends up to four hours a day on a stationary bike, in addition to other training.
She will not be riding alone either. A friend, Pam Hunt, who resides in Florida but is originally from this area, will also be riding.
“It was actually Pam who started it,” said Reger.
Hunt, whose son, an avid cyclist, was successfully treated for Hodgkins Disease, will be riding for cancer research.
Reger also has her family backing her up. Her husband, Richard, and their two grown sons have been very supportive and encouraging. And encouragement is vital for anyone planning to cycle up to eight hours a day for two months, through all kinds of weather.
All the effort will be worthwhile if just one family is spared the pain that Reger’s own family has experienced, of watching young family members gradually succumb to this disease.
Of course, not many people are really aware of Niemann-Pick Disease. That is apparent as Reger collects pledges. In most cases, the first question she hears is “what is Niemann-Pick Disease?” That is why this ride is so important, not just to raise money, but to make people aware.
Reger would not say how much she has raised so far, but her goal is $10,000, and people have been quite generous in helping her reach it.
“The response has been really great,” she said.
For anyone interested in sponsoring Reger, her address is RR1 Durham, ON, N0G 1R0. She can be reached by telephone at (519) 369-5322.
All proceeds will go to the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation, as Reger is covering all of her own expenses.
http://216.183.28.101:55/FMPro?-db=elmira.fp5&-format=elmirastory.html&Current=FMPro?-db=elmira.fp5&-sortfield=date%20of%20publication&-sortorder=descend&AllStoryFields=bike%20ride&-recid=12623713&-find=&-max=1&-find=
Going the extra 3,200 miles
Bike ride to raise money, awareness for fatal disease
by Andy Campbell
1/28/2005
A former local resident is preparing for an adventure that is both a personal challenge and a mission to raise money and awareness.
This spring, Lynda Reger, former co-owner of Richlyn Fries, will cycle from San Diego, California to Cocoa Beach, Florida, to raise money for Type C Niemann-Pick Disease.
“The reason I’m doing it is because of my niece and nephew,” said Reger, who currently resides in the Durham area.
Alex and Laura Vaughan both died of Niemann-Pick, a genetic disorder that affects the metabolism of cholesterol and other lipids, causing these substances to collect in vital organs. It is always fatal.
The 3,200-mile trip, across eight states, is expected to take two months.
“I’ve committed myself to 60 days of sun, rain, wind and pure enjoyment as I see the true USA,” said Reger.
Surprisingly, Reger has no cycling background. She started training for this ride last summer. She was riding between Durham and Owen Sound before the winter, and now spends up to four hours a day on a stationary bike, in addition to other training.
She will not be riding alone either. A friend, Pam Hunt, who resides in Florida but is originally from this area, will also be riding.
“It was actually Pam who started it,” said Reger.
Hunt, whose son, an avid cyclist, was successfully treated for Hodgkins Disease, will be riding for cancer research.
Reger also has her family backing her up. Her husband, Richard, and their two grown sons have been very supportive and encouraging. And encouragement is vital for anyone planning to cycle up to eight hours a day for two months, through all kinds of weather.
All the effort will be worthwhile if just one family is spared the pain that Reger’s own family has experienced, of watching young family members gradually succumb to this disease.
Of course, not many people are really aware of Niemann-Pick Disease. That is apparent as Reger collects pledges. In most cases, the first question she hears is “what is Niemann-Pick Disease?” That is why this ride is so important, not just to raise money, but to make people aware.
Reger would not say how much she has raised so far, but her goal is $10,000, and people have been quite generous in helping her reach it.
“The response has been really great,” she said.
For anyone interested in sponsoring Reger, her address is RR1 Durham, ON, N0G 1R0. She can be reached by telephone at (519) 369-5322.
All proceeds will go to the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation, as Reger is covering all of her own expenses.
http://216.183.28.101:55/FMPro?-db=elmira.fp5&-format=elmirastory.html&Current=FMPro?-db=elmira.fp5&-sortfield=date%20of%20publication&-sortorder=descend&AllStoryFields=bike%20ride&-recid=12623713&-find=&-max=1&-find=
posted by Pam Hunt at
6:44 AM
