JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Minnesota man riding his bike across the U.S. to raise money for breast cancer research made a stop in Jacksonville this weekend.
Al Reszel rides in honor of his wife, Terry. Al took off from Key West last week on his seventh ride for breast cancer. He is pedaling to Minneapolis -- a 4,100-mile journey!
The mission is important to Al and Terry because it’s personal.
Terry is a breast cancer survivor.
“He can’t do research, so he rides a bike. He was there for me and now I’m here for him getting through this. It’s one in eight U.S. women and they’re getting younger and younger,” Terry said.
For Al, watching his wife go through treatment gave him a new purpose.
“Me and the boys, it was a tough few years. Surgeries, medicine, and treatment. Once she got past that about four or five years in, we decided we wanted to do something to help find a cure,” Al said. “That’s when we got hooked up with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.”
And with that, Pink Pedals 4 A Cure was born. Every dollar donated goes right to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Al averages roughly 90 miles per day, and the plan is to reach Minnesota by Mother’s Day.
Even though the weather hasn’t exactly been picture-perfect the whole way, Al doesn’t mind.
“We love Florida,” he said. “This is our second year starting here, but that first day out of Key West it rained almost the entire day. A couple days ago, I had about 3 hours of pouring rain.”
Even though Terry isn’t physically pedaling herself, she’s still right there with Al. She follows him in the couple’s Jeep. And you can’t miss it!
The couple said it’s been a great experience over the years getting the miles in and meeting new people along the way. But the couple’s message to everyone at home is to take action.
“Get the mammograms. If they catch it early, they can treat it. If you let it go, not so much,” Terry said.
Al echoed her message.
“The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, they’re at the forefront of everything. From diagnosis and treatment. Ultimately survival, but you’ve got to catch it early,” Al said.
If you’re interested in donating to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through “Pink Pedals 4 A Cure,” click here.