Team members of Club 815, a fundraising bike ride for cancer research, this year support Mike Swartout, director of design, Classic Exhibits, who is battling cancer.
Riding 85 miles, Classic Exhibits Vice President Kevin Carty, who is a cancer survivor, leads the team with Dave Brown, Joel Roy and other industry professionals through to the final push up 7,000 feet of climbs at Mt. Hood, Ore.
Benefitting Exhibit Designers and Producers Association Inc. at Echelon Gran Fondo Hood River, a fundraising engine for charities, Carty created the Club 815 fundraising campaign to honor industry members battling or lost to cancer.
“More than three years ago, Mike was diagnosed with Advanced Stage 4 prostate cancer,” said Carty. “He has undergone several courses of radiation and chemotherapy. Many of the therapies Mike has endured have been experimental in hopes that the results will benefit future victims of this disease and increase their odds of survival. To those who work with him every day and to those who will benefit from the research, we are inspired by Mike’s courage, strength and generosity.
“Mike’s medical expenses during the past three years have created a severe financial hardship for him, his wife Janet, and his family.
“On top of that, Mike does not have life insurance, which further imperils Janet’s financial future once Mike is gone.
“With the gracious help of The EDPA Foundation, a foundation that helps support our industry members in need or in times of tragedy, we have created ‘Club 815, Powered by The EDPA Foundation,’ a group of industry folks, friends and family that will be taking on Mt. Hood on our bikes…for 85 VERY windy miles.
“I am asking for your collective support for the upcoming Hood River Gran Fondo Ride. We are raising money [through] our friends at the EDPA Foundation for our friend and co-worker Mike Swartout and his wife Janet. We have committed to riding this challenging 85 mile course to help raise money for Mike and Janet. And [we] are asking and hoping you will donate to our ride.”
Donations made to the campaign are tax-deductible. Submitted names of other industry members battling or who have lost their battles with cancer will be displayed on the backs of Club 815 team members’ shirts as they ride.
For more information, to donate or to submit names, visit https://mycharityofchoice.com/campaign/profile/336#.UkMK9Yashca.
