[*BCM*] 2008 Tri State Bike Trek for ALS, please read

[Eric Mearns]

I rarely send mass emails, but once in a while it's necessary.  I'm
sorry to be impersonal, BUT...
I'm forwarding a very important email from my friend Glen Harnish,
it's a message that needs to get in front of as many eyes as possible.
 It takes about 60 seconds to read, I hope you'll at least read what
he's written here, you won't regret it.
Thanks in advance.

From: Glen Harnish
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 6:13 PM
To: Office
Subject: 2008 Tri State Bike Trek for ALS, please read

Friends,

You may not know that in ten days I will be going on the longest bike
ride of my life.

You also may not know that know that my friend Steve Saling has ALS
(also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). Steve's optimistic and inspiring
attitude towards life in the face of daily challenges has made me
eager to do anything I can to support the work of those who are
striving to find a cure for this disease. ALS is a neurodegenerative
disorder that paralyzes the entire body and disables the speech of the
patient but leaves the mind, personality, and all senses completely
intact.  Several hundred thousand people are afflicted by ALS
worldwide every year, and following the diagnosis, the average patient
survives two to five years.  Steve is determined however to defy the
odds and live to see a cure, and I'd like to help him to do that.

You can check out Steve's myspace page below, read his blog, and view
pictures and videos of him jumping out of airplanes, scuba diving with
sharks, and going on 12 mile hikes (I was there for that adventure)
since his diagnosis.

www.myspace.com/smoothsaling

The guy is a marvel and inspiration to many people- both those
afflicted by ALS and those blessed with good health.  After plodding
with Steve at a snails pace for hours over miles of rough terrain in
Montana last summer, and watching him fall dozens of times (when I
couldn't catch him quickly enough) I know I can ride 270 miles on my
bike.  One thing that I will keep it mind when I'm tired and sore, is
that I can get off the bike when the ride is done, but Steve can't.
His ride goes on until we find a cure.

The Tri State Trek is a fund raising road bike event that starts in
Newton, MA and ends in White Plains, NY, covering over 270 miles in
just 3 days.  The event benefits the ALS Therapy Development Institute
(ALS TDI) in Cambridge, MA, which is a research group focused on
developing treatments, and ultimately, a cure for ALS. I am happy to
tell you that I will be riding in 2008, from July 18 to July 20.  For
the ride I will be joined by 3 good buddies.  We have pledged as a
team to raise $8,000 for this event, and I'd like to invite you to
show your support by clicking on the link below and making a pledge
today to help us reach our goal. ANY amount you can donate is a
crucial step in the right direction.

http://www.active.com/donate/trek2008/TEAMAMERICA

Thank you all in advance for your support in whatever form it takes,
and here's to a successful Tri State Trek in 2008!

Thanks again,

Glen C. Harnish

Wholesale Business

Dancing Deer Baking Co.

Boston, MA

www.dancingdeer.com

(617) 442-7300 x206