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After the incredible experience that I had last year I will, of course, be riding in the 2007 Dam2Dam "Thumbs Up!" Bike Tour. For those of you aren't familiar with the 2006 story you can find the details here. The short version is that this ride will always be special to me since it is what got me back into cycling (technically it was my neighbor, Rob who got me back into cycling but the Dam2Dam cemented the come back!) Since the 2006 Dam2Dam I've ridden over 1200 miles including a one-day 150 mile ride! Last year's Dam2Dam was an incredible experience, from the check-in organization, to the ride support and rest stops to the post ride BBQ - add to that the opportunity to meet Greg LeMond and wow... it was simply amazing. This year I've even recruited a few of my friends to ride and help the cause! Be sure to check out John's Post on the subject. This year I will be accompanied by my son Derek on the Dam2Dam. Yep we recently purchased a tandem and will be riding together. I'm super-excited to ride with Derek this year. I can't think of a better way to bond and spend time with an 11-year old (video games do not count!). Before I forget I need give another huge shout out to all of you who contributed to the cause last year, together we raised $1815 for the Mike Utley Foundation. Thank you so much for your support! Okay down to business. I'd like to do better than last year. Together Derek and I have set a goal to raise $2000 for the Mike Utley Foundation this year. Donations are fully tax deductible, of course. You can also donate online with a credit/debit card here. Please make sure to put my name, Steve Bargelt (or Derek Bargelt), in the "Rider's Name" field! If you would rather send a check, please contact me through the "Contact" tab above (this link) and I'll send you my snail mail address. If your company offers a matching funds program please take advantage of it! I will even fill out the paperwork for you! Just send me the form I’ll get it back to you with all of the pertinent information filled out! If you fill the form out, make sure to get me a copy so the Mike Utley Foundation volunteers know to look for the donation from your company. More Information
You can find more information about the foundation and the Dam2Dam bike tour here. If you don't remember Mike Utley here is a brief reminder: "It was November 17, 1991 the Detroit Lions had scored in a crucial game against the Los Angeles Rams. Mike Utley felt he was invincible at 6' 6" and 315 pounds. He was at the top of his game, a champion, and thrilled to be doing what he loved, playing football. Mike Utley was attempting to throw a block during a pass play when he went down, Mike knew immediately that something was wrong. An eerie silence descended over the stadium as Mike lay there motionless. When they wheeled him off the field Mike gave the crowd a Thumbs Up! to let them know that he would return. Mike Utley #60 was paralyzed. Mike's courageous Thumbs Up! gesture has come to symbolize his fighting spirit. In his own fight to walk again Mike has focused all of his energies towards others suffering from spinal cord injuries. The Mike Utley Foundation was founded in January 1992 and is committed to providing financial support for rehabilitation, education and research for spinal cord related injuries." Did You Know? - There are approximately two million people worldwide living with spinal cord injury; 11,000 new injuries are reported every year in the US with a new injury occurring every 48 minutes.
- Lifetime costs incurred by SCI individuals average $900,000 and can reach as high as $2.7 million depending on the level of injury.
- Vehicular accidents cause 50.4% of these spinal cord injuries. one-quarter 11.2% are the result of violence and 23.8% are the result of falls. Sports injuries account for 9.0% of these injuries. the remaining 5.6% of spinal cord injuries result from work related or other accidents.
- More than half (55%) of the SCI population was injured between the ages of 16 and 30. 80% of SCI individuals are male and approximately half (47%) are married at time of injury. 10 years after spinal cord injury, 58.1% are unemployed.
- The nation currently invests less than 1% of the costs of spinal cord injury into research that has the potential to restore function and substantially reduce the costs. Current annual costs of injuries: $9.7 billion; current research investments: less than $100 million from all sources- Federal, industry, foundation, and private donations.
The University of Alabama
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