Komen News: Pony Express Relay 2003: Motorcyclists Ride Across America to Raise Funds
Pony Express Relay 2003: Motorcyclists Ride Across America to Raise Funds for the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Women's Motorcyclist Foundation Organizes Cross-Country Relay to Benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
August 2003
The Women's Motorcyclist Foundation (WMF) on July 24 kicked off the 2003 Pony Express Relay, a national motorcycle event designed to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer. Between now and August 24, up to 2,000 riders are expected to participate in the challenge, which includes 56 different relays on trails in the Western, Central and Eastern parts of the country. Organizers hope to raise $600,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Route
The Western Trail of Pony Express 2003 begins today in Seattle and finishes August 1 in Los Angeles. The Central Trail begins Aug. 6 in Wichita, Kan., and ends August 8 in Houston. The Eastern Trail starts on August 14 in Orlando, Fla., and ends August 24 in New York City with a closing ceremony at the Hard Rock Café.
The Mission
During the journey, riders will bring "special delivery Pony Express mail" from citizens around the country. The mail will carry messages containing memories of those lost to the disease, support for those surviving, and hope for a future free of breast cancer. The U.S. Postal Service is providing special cancellations for this mail that will be sent to destinations all over the world.
"We take our name and attitude from a pioneering organization that was known for its pluck and its courage in facing the geographic challenges of this country in order to deliver the mail," said Sue Slate, co-founder of the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation and the Pony Express Relay. "We deliver hand-written messages of love and hope to breast cancer patients while crossing the country and raising money for breast cancer research and community outreach programs."
At planned rest stops along each trail, riders hold a brief ceremony in recognition of the breast cancer patients for whom they ride. The ceremonies, which are open to the public, also include distribution of breast cancer information, collection of "special delivery" mail for distribution, donation collection and sales of official Pony Express Relay merchandise. Pony Express Relay riders raise money to participate in the event and pay all of their expenses along the way. Since 1996, the Pony Express Relay has raised $1.5 million for the Komen Foundation to support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.
Pony Express Riders
"Pony Express Relay riders are folks that treasure the open road and the sport of motorcycling," Slate said. "This program is a labor of love for all of us because we know that our efforts can help save lives and put an end to breast cancer."
This year, Pony Express has made it easy for people who do not ride motorcycles to take part in the excitement by signing on as "phantom" riders online. Celebrity honorary riders for the 2003 Pony Express Relay include actors Rob Lowe and David Arquette, NBC morning show personality Ann Curry, and former Texas governor Ann Richards.
"Pony Express is an example of how passionate people can use their energy to work for the benefit of others," said Susan Braun, president and chief executive officer of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. "This coast-to-coast relay is anything but an easy ride. The Foundation is impressed with the spirit and willingness of the riders to endure the heat and dust for days on end with one objective in mind: raising money to fight against breast cancer."
Fighting Breast Cancer Through Pony Express
To learn more about the Women's Motorcyclist Foundation, the exact dates and stops planned for Pony Express 2003, how to send a breast cancer message to a loved one anywhere in the world, or to make a pledge through Pony Express to the fight against breast cancer, log on to www.ponyexpressrides.org.
