5th Annual Cycle for ALS - Palatine, IL

This was the second major battle in the War on ALS. It started in Palatine, IL . We decided to email some folks to raise awareness and a few bucks for ALS research. The first year 200 people showed up and 9 people rode all 16.5 hours. We did it with no support from any sponsors. No budget other than our own pockets. Fast forward to today.

We are having a silent auction. Staley the Chicago Bear will appear at 10 am (signing autographs for kids and taking pictures). Peapod will be there giving things away.

The man I met in Kona in 2005, Jon Blais has passed away, but, as in the movie Bravehart. The disease took his life, but not his freedom or his fight.

In 2005 Jon Blais was new he was a walking dead man. He finished the Ironman World Triathlon Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii anyway in what is nothing short of a miracle. ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) had disabled him beyond what he would let on but he finished for all the ALS patients who sent him letters saying, "You are our arms and legs. Fight the war for us." Jon vowed to be the first person with ALS to complete an Ironman "if they have to roll my body across the finish line". Jon completed the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run in 16 hours and 30 minutes.

18 months later, Jon passed away.

Like everyone with an ALS diagnosis, Jon has passed away with no treatment. To many his courage and dedication live on through the Blazeman Foundation as "no treatment and no cure" isn't acceptable to us.

The Blazeman Foundation's purpose is to raise money and awareness for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) research. Come out and ride with us in your team kit! Media will be there (great opportunity for sponsorship pictures at a charity event!)

Email me tricoachbob@comcast.net or follow along here for more information.

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