Jan Harwood
Bike Across the HEART of America
Fundraising for British Heart Foundation
Story
Hello Friends and Family:
Louis' Purpose
In 1972 my grandfather Louis "Frosty" Suttman was one of the first recipients of an artificial aorta valve due to a heart birth defect. As this was new technology at the time, the valve sadly only lasted six years and my grandfather passed away in 1978. In 2004 my college basketball coach and mentor, Jim Jabir, was hospitalized and diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia; a condition he still coaches with today. In 2005 the wear and tear of cancer treatment surfaced in my uncle Eric Suttmann's heart when he successfully underwent a quadruple bypass surgery and also received an artificial aortic valve.
Most recently, on April 4th, 2010, my beloved uncle, John Knauer, suddenly and tragically passed away from an undiognosed heart ailment: aortic dissection. He was a caring husband, nurturing father of three beautiful children, a fun-loving uncle, and an overall inspirational man to be around. It is mainly because of these men that I have dedicated myself to Bike Across America (BAA) this summer.
Jan's Purpose
I have dedicated myself to biking across America this summer in the hope of raising more awareness about heart health and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Throughout my life I have enjoyed playing sports from football (soccer!), cricket, swimming, water polo, golf, tennis, hiking (and even skiing for the first time this year!) and now cycling. I have been lucky enough to have a healthy heart and a body that has been fit enough to enjoy all of these activities and always had strong support from friends and family in everything I have done in life and I know that this challenge will not be any different. It is for these reasons that I would like to make you all aware of the importance of having a healthy heart and of enjoying sports and exercise – and not least because they are really good fun! Now that I am about to undertake the challenge of a lifetime I would like to thank all of my friends, family and anyone who is kind enough to donate to our cause, not just for helping to raise heart awareness through this page, but also for the encouragement that you have already given us to do this and for the kind words and support I know you will give us in the coming weeks and months...well that and the continued questions about our sanity and the sore backside jokes! Up The Dale and thanks for your support.
The Ride
Jan and Louis met this past year as they both served as Resident Assistants at the American International School of Salzburg. It was during their time in Austria that they planned and trained for their great American adventure. Jan will arrive into Portland, Oregon on June 13th and Louis will be close behind him, arriving on June 14th. They will officially depart the coastal city of Seaside, Oregon on June 16th. Over the following nine weeks, they will attempt to ride through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illionois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York before finally reaching the Atlantic Ocean. In total, they will be riding over 4,000 miles.
Please donate to the British Heart Foundation to help fight heart disease today. Make a donation today and help to save the life of a loved one or friend.
Many thanks for your support.
-Louis Suttmann & Jan Harwood