Uniontown pair biking to Cumberland as part of fundraiser
In a recent American Cancer Society survey, an estimated 74,170 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed this year in Pennsylvania and 1.4 million new cases throughout the country. In light of those statistics, many people have either been directly affected or have a friend or loved one who has battled the disease. That is the case with Clarence “Buff” Checton and Emma Everly, both of Uniontown, who decided to cycle from Connellsville to Cumberland, Md., and back to raise money for the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life that will be held at the Laurel Highlands High School Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9.
Checton and Everly each have had loved ones who have succumbed to cancer.
“We both lost loved ones,” said Everly. “My mom (Anita Everly) suffered 24 years on and off with cancer.”
“My wife (Ellen Checton) suffered for 12 years,” said Checton.
Not only has Everly been affected by cancer through a loved one, but she has had a more personal experience with the disease.
“I know she is shy, but Emma has survived cancer,” said Checton.
It was out of their love of bike riding and the memory of their loved ones that Checton, 61, and Everly, 50, decided to raise money for their Relay for Life team, Cycling for the Cure, through a long-distance bike ride.
“We have been friends for years,” said Checton. “She (Everly) has been doing it (bike riding) for years, and she got me into it three years ago.”
Everly said, “I was riding my bike on the trail, and I was thinking of what I could do for Cycling for the Cure as part of the Relay for Life.”
The pair will be leaving on Saturday from downtown Connellsville and traveling the 100-mile distance to Cumberland in 10 to 12 hours. The next day, they will turn around and make the same trip back.
During their 200-mile trek, Checton and Everly will be carrying paper stars with the names of people who have donated to Cycling for the Cure, or they can be named in memory of loved ones, family members or friends. Each star is being sold for $10, and both Checton and Everly have the goal of raising $2,000, one star for each mile they are traveling. All of the stars they collect will be displayed at their tent during the Relay for Life walk.
Neither Checton nor Everly have biked the entire trip before. The farthest they have gone is Confluence, but they have been training for the long journey. “We try and bike everyday,” said Checton.
As they traverse more than 200 miles, Checton and Everly said they will think about those who are battling cancer and those who lost their fights.
“If our days of weather and cramping up can make a difference, then it is all worth it,” said Checton. “It’s for the people who are going through it and those who have gone through it.”
To donate to Cycling for the Cure, visit Duck Hollow Golf Club, Bogey’s at Duck Hollow, Sam’s Restaurant, Yum Yum’s Bagel Caf? or Marra’s Mountaineer Sporting Goods store. Donations also can be made on the team’s Web site, which can be found through www.cancer.org.