Creeper cancer ride set for July 30

By BECKY PRICE/Correspondent
The Penny F. Garrett Sarcoma Foundation will present the second Creeper Trail Ride to End Cancer – or C-TREC – on July 30 in Damascus.
The fundraiser benefits research on sarcoma and other rare cancers at the University of Texas’ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Around 500 people on more than 60 teams will take part in the event, which kicks off with a 10 a.m. parade, followed by a 17-mile bike ride and a five-mile walk on the Creeper Trail at 10:30 a.m. Each team has a fundraising goal of at least $500. The event ends at 2:30 with a party, including food and live music, at Damascus Town Park. Dr. Robert Benjamin, director of the sarcoma medical oncology department at M.D. Anderson, will speak at the event and accept the check on behalf of the hospital.
“I am very honored that my doctor is going to be attending and participating in the event,” Garrett. said.
The foundation was started in January 2010 to raise awareness and money for rare cancer research. More than half of all cancers are classified as rare. Research on rare cancers is underfunded, attracting fewer dollars than more common cancers, like breast and colon.
“I am very fortunate that I have been cancer free for over a year, but I am not giving up on the fight to end cancer. I am looking forward to this event and raising money to help the millions of people that are battling this horrible disease,” Garrett said.
To make a donation, please visit www.creepertrailridetoendcancer.com or mail a check to 29394 Zion Church Rd., Damascus, VA, 24236. The Penny F. Garrett Sarcoma Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation, so your gift is tax-deductible.
Sponsors of the event are Alpha Natural Resources, The French Family, The Nicewonder Family, Highlands Wellmont Health Network, Champion Chevrolet and Cadillac Johnson City, Food City, State Farm Insurance Agents Jamea Blevins and Cliff Burnette, New River Electrical Corp., Laurel Family Drug Store, Garrett Funeral Home, Sign Language Interpreting Specialists, Quincey’s Pizza, Fisher Hollow Veterinary Clinic, Hometown Hospice, Home Nursing Services of SWVA and the Damascus Old Mill and Restaurant..