Thanks very much to The Marietta Daily Journal and to
contributor, Kim M. Nielson for this great coverage of I Care I Cure I Cycle!
We hope to share this journey with the world!
Sunday, September 24, 2017 MDJ
RIDING ON: Vinings man to complete cycling tour of United States perimeter, raises funds for childhood cancer treatments
By Kimberly M. Nielson
MDJ Contributor
VININGS — This December, Glenn Hirsch is going on a journey.
The family physician will endure uphill climbs across some punishing terrain, withstanding hours on a stiff bicycle seat and perhaps repairing a few flat tires on his carbon-frame bicycle.
But the Vinings resident is hoping his 512-mile route will be more than simply a quest to see the American Southwest — it will help fund research for better treatments for children with cancer and complete his tour of the perimeter of the United States.
Though he is a lifelong cyclist, Hirsch, 67, began long-distance cycling for charity in 2000, when he completed a nearly 3,000 mile ride from Seattle to Washington, D.C. for the American Lung Association. Over the years, he continued riding during his off-times from work, including a 2004 ride from San Francisco to the Santa Monica Pier for the Arthritis Foundation.
He continued to add miles in his quest to travel the perimeter of the U.S with rides along the entire East Coast Greenway, which stretches from Florida to Maine, and last year’s ride, which took Hirsch from Arizona to New Orleans. When he cycles from Phoenix to Santa Monica in December, he will complete the perimeter loop of the continental U.S.
Since 2009, Hirsch’s cycling efforts have been focused on raising funds for the I Care I Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation,(icareicure.org) an organization that seeks to improve cancer treatments for children. It’s an organization close to the Hirsch family’s heart. In early 2006, the Hirschs’ 11-year-old nephew, Ian, was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ian endured traditional cancer treatments that shattered his immune system and isolated him from his friends and schoolmates. Though I Care I Cure notes he was cancer-free after just 15 days of treatment, his immune system was unable to combat a case of meningitis. He died May 31, 2006, a mere four months after his cancer diagnosis.
Glenn Hirsch, a Vinings family physician, has been long-distance cycling for charity since 2000.
Lynn Hirsch said that I Care I Cure was started by her sister and brother-in-law to ensure other children did not go through treatments that their son Ian endured. Most notably, I Care I Cure supports research of targeted therapies that allow children to be treated for cancer without the side effects typically associated with traditional cancer treatments.
“Right now, it would be nice to (have) a cure for childhood cancer, but before that happens, it would be nice to know that the kids who are suffering with cancer have a more tolerable way to fight the disease,” said Lynn Hirsch, who drives a support vehicle while Glenn cycles. “Besides raising the funds, we try to raise awareness (about childhood cancer treatment) with the rides.”
The couple blog about their mission — which they call I Care I Cure I Cycle (icareicureicycle.blogspot.com) — and donate all funds raised on Glenn’s rides to the I Care I Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation.
A CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING RIDE
Though the rides can be challenging — some days, Glenn Hirsch will log eight hours on a bicycle — he feels it’s a small sacrifice given what his nephew endured as a cancer patient.
“When things really get tough, I have a tendency to think back to Ian, and figure what I’m doing didn’t compare to what he had to go through. He (is) an inspiration,” he said. “I like to cycle. I figure this is one way to make something else good to come out of it, by being able to raise funds for the foundation.”
This December, the couple will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, where Glenn Hirsch will begin a 500-mile ride into southern California. He hopes to arrive at the Santa Monica Pier, and be joined by family members celebrating Ian’s life and the end of his journey. As Glenn Hirsch notes, the rides have been emotional, and raising money for better treatments has served as a method of healing for the family.
“Government (funded cancer research) only goes so far sometimes, unfortunately,” Glenn Hirsch said. “(We’re) making lemonade out of lemons — making something good come out of this.”
As he prepares for December, Hirsch’s training for long distance rides include trips along the Silver Comet Trail and to his office in east Cobb, where he practices medicine. Hirsch’s long distance cycling is also a testament to the power of going forward. Though he has always led a healthy lifestyle, he has had health concerns. After his cross-country ride in 2000, he suffered a heart attack upon his return to Georgia. But following his recovery from bypass surgery, Hirsch, who now works three days a week as a physician at WellStar Medical Group’s East Cobb Medical Center, went back to his love of the open road aboard a bicycle.
“My goal every year is to see if I can get more miles on my bike than my car,” he quipped.
When asked about his love of cycling, Hirsch noted the sport’s relaxing qualities and meditative nature.
“One of the things about it is, when the world goes by as fast as you can peddle, things slow down immensely,” he said. “Some of my best thinking is on a bicycle.”
While Glenn will continue to ride, both he and Lynn said the December 2017 ride is the completion of I Care I Cure I Cycle. Though he may still do other long distance rides in the future, it’s time, Glenn said, to focus on other goals. With that in mind, the couple is hoping to raise more than they ever have for the I Care I Cure foundation.
“This is kind of the last hurrah,” Lynn Hirsch said, later adding that as far as the journey’s fundraising goals are concerned,” … The sky’s the limit.”
Glenn Hirsch, a Vinings family physician, has been long-distance cycling for charity since 2000. When he cycles from Phoenix to Santa Monica in December, he will complete the perimeter loop of the continental U.S. / Special to the MDJ
Here is our route for this ride:
December 20 - Depart Phoenix AZ to Wickenburg, AZ
December 21 - Wickenburg, AZ to Blythe, CA
December 22 - Blythe, CA to Brawley, CA
December 23 - Brawley, CA to Alpine, CA
December 24 - Alpine, CA to San Diego
December 25-27 enjoy San Diego
December 27 - San Diego, CA to Laguna Beach, CA
December 28 - Laguna Beach, CA to Venice Beach, CA
December 29 The whole family will ride from Venice Beach to
the Santa Monica Pier to complete the ride and Glenn's
journey around the entire perimeter of the United States
If you will be in the area and would like to join us
along the way or at the Santa Monica Pier, just let
us know! The more, the merrier!
along the way or at the Santa Monica Pier, just let
us know! The more, the merrier!
