3,500 Mile Cross-Country Bicycle Ride Supporting Hospice Wraps Up in Portland, Maine

Duo Ride in Support of Care in Sub-Saharan Africa

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Father and son, Dave and Evan Fuller of Spokane began their bicycle ride across America on June 14, 2010 in Anacortes, Washington.  Despite heat, wind, and rain, their 3,500 mile journey – raising support and awareness of hospice care in sub-Saharan Africa – will be successfully completed today (07/20/10) in Portland, Maine.

The Fullers' Herculean effort is in support of the non-profit organization, FHSSA. FHSSA (which began as the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa) builds partnerships to enhance compassionate care in Africa and is celebrating more than a decade of impact.

"Our family had recently seen the compassionate benefits of hospice and palliative care with the loss of my brother, Larry," shared Dave Fuller. "We have much respect for hospice as an organization for their work locally, but also wanted to help be a part of the larger picture…that led us to FHSSA and its work overseas."

Adding to the passion that is fueling their journey, Dr. Everett "Ev" Fuller, Dave's father and Evan's grandfather, is receiving care from a hospice program in Spokane. "This bicycle ride is an opportunity for me to pay tribute to my dad for what he has done for me," said Dave.

Evan added, "We liked the idea that a portion of the funds [will] pay for bicycles necessary to deliver care…the bicycle part was the deal-breaker, because there's a myriad of funds worth supporting, and this one seemed personal on a few levels."

The Fullers created a blog, "Washington – Maine Line" (http://thewashingtonmaineline.blogspot.com), to document their progress and share thoughts from the road. Here are brief excerpts:

June 30: We had four hours and sixty-five miles of beautiful, windless riding, but high noon brought the gusts back to kick us back to riding 8 mph for the rest of the day.

The major highlight was the gas station in Tokio (North Dakota). The owner took pride in his product options and kept it air conditioned. Our coffee was free, but I couldn't tell if that was just a rule for cyclists. Outside, a short conversation with a man who organizes work-groups to build houses for tribe elders lead to some tearful talk of hospice care. He gave us money for lunch, which we used, and decided to match to the fund as well.

July 4: The campground we found via Google maps was nestled on a pond with a fake swan, and a horde of children riding bikes surrounded us with their wheels and questions. They told us about a firework display happening at 9:30 at the lake down the road a mile, but I could only think about what a campground sounds like when all of the sugared-up children leave.

July 15: Since you last heard from us it was Wisconsin in 2 days, Minnesota in 3, Michigan in 3, Ontario in 2, and now we start day two of New York tomorrow morning. That was 1,200 miles, bringing us to 3,200 or so. 450 to go.

"To say that we are grateful to Dave and Evan would be an understatement," said John Mastrojohn III, FHSSA's executive director. "They have endured great challenges to make this journey in honor of Dr. Fuller and to provide funding support where there is such incredible need. Our partners, Board, and staff are most grateful and encouraged by their dedication and commitment."

Dave Fuller is a physical education teacher at Chase Middle School and assistant cross-country coach at Ferris High School. Evan Fuller is a student at the University of Washington in the School of Pharmacy.

To learn more about FHSSA, or to contribute to the Fullers effort and support FHSSA's work in sub-Saharan Africa, visit www.fhssa.org and click on the link for "Washington-Maine Line." (Contributions are processed by FHSSA's affiliate organization, the National Hospice Foundation.)

SOURCE FHSSA