Woman cycling Route 66 to help cancer-stricken brother

Michelle Thompson is cycling on part of Route 66 during a 2,500-mile trip from Glen Ellyn, Ill., to Costa Mesa, Calif., to raise money for her brother, who is being treated for oral cancer, reports the Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph.

The trek is expected to take six weeks, and Thompson, 35, hopes to raise $50,000.

The cross-country trek came about when she saw how cancer affected every aspect of her brother’s life after he was diagnosed last year. His first round of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation didn’t halt the cancer’s progress.

He underwent a second surgery which led to the loss of parts of his palate, tongue and jawbone. The latest surgery was to open his esophagus to make it easier for him to eat and drink.

“It’s a health issue. It’s a financial issue. It’s a social issue. He is relearning how to talk,” she said. “On a personal level, I want to help him fight this. I couldn’t sell enough brownies to make a difference so I decided on the bike-a-thon.”

Thompson reportedly has launched a Web site, route2outsmartcancer.com, but it’s not up yet as of noon Thursday. Donations can also be mailed to Thompson at P.O. Box 142, Glen Ellyn, IL 60138.

UPDATE: The Pontiac (Ill.) Daily Leader caught up with Thompson for a story. And her Web site is up.

2 thoughts on “Woman cycling Route 66 to help cancer-stricken brother

  1. Howdy, Michelle!
    Just to say I hope you are right on schedule! I can’t wait to talk to you this week and see about our final interview. I am sorry I missed talking to you last week. Believe it or not, our darn phones were out. So, you were not the only one “whited out.” Be careful out there!

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