Thank you for visiting the fundraising page of
Bike to the Future 2008 - 'Ride around the World'
in which a whole group of people will be cycling towards the joint targets of 'Riding around the World' (40,000 km) and raising £40,000 towards vital research in order to improve the appalling survival rates for those who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The core of Bike to the Future 2008 is a bike ride from London to Krakow (1570 km / 950 miles) from July 24 to August 7 2008 being undertaken by myself, Trace Allen (both pancreatic cancer survivors - and 2 of the 200), Dave Smithson, Jordanna Pitchford and Simon Gledhill.
In addition, throughout the summer there will be many cycling events organised both nationally and internationally, involving adults and schools / youth clubs with the aim of contributing to both the target of 'Riding around the World' and the Fundraisng target.
All involved in these cycling events will also be lending their voices in common support of the aims of the Bike to the Future 2008 which are to:
1) Highlight the appalling survival rates associated with pancreatic cancer - less than 3% surviving more than 5 years after diagnosis. This means that of the 7000 people (alongside myself and Trace) that were diagnosed in 2003, there will be less than 200 of us alive at the end of this year (hence the 2 of 200).
2) Highlight that pancreatic cancer is one of the few cancers where over the last 50 years the chances of those people diagnosed has actually diminished, but still most people have not heard of pancreatic cancer!
3) Focus attention on the need to create a 'united front' of: government, medical practitioners, research institutions, drug companies and charities / fundraisers, to work together to dramatically improve chances of survival for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
There are many ways in which you can get involved in Bike to the Future 2008 both as a cyclist and /or fundraiser - see the website for details: www.biketothefuture.org.uk
If you want to sponsor online, donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Pancreatic Cancer UK (www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk) will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Many thanks for your support.
Les Niewiara & the Bike to the Future 2008 team.
