Coast to Coast
Hampton, NH to Eureka, CA
Hello,
My name is Wayne Parry, and I would like to share my story with you and urge you to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through my Coast to Coast ride.
I received the diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in 2002, and the doctors gave me just a few years to live. The diagnosis was absolutely devastating. There were two strong support systems that helped me through: my family and the help of my medical care team.
My family provided unwavering support. My three sons – Lee, Lyle, and Dan and three daughters, Judy, Deby, and Lauren rallied around me through the hardest of times. I made the decision not to let CLL or its treatment change my life, and was inspired to purchase my first Harley Davidson Motorcycle. I began traveling throughout the Unites States in between my cancer treatments. Little did I know these riding journeys would become my passion, and that I would one-day ride in all 50 states.
I took my first trip in 2003 with a ride to Wisconsin for the Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary Celebration. From that point on, I was inspired to keep on going. In 2005, I took a trip to Sturgis, South Dakota, well over 1800 miles from my New Hampshire home.
2006 marked the year of my first coast-to-coast ride. I went to the Blue Ridge Park, The Trail of Tears, and on to Oklahoma City. I continued on Route 66 West to California’s Pacific Coast Highway. From there, I traveled on 101 to the Redwood Forest, Crater Lake, and Yellowstone National Park before making my way back home to New Hampshire.
In 2007, I took a trip to Utah to visit all of the National Parks in the state, including the Great Salt Flats. In 2008, my friend Bill and I rode a trip across the great Northern Route 2 to Washington State – and then on to Alaska.
Of all the trips I have taken in the last decade, the dearest to my heart was to Maui, Hawaii in 2012. My son, Lee, invited me to join him on a motorcycle excursion throughout the Hawaiian Islands, to reach my goal of riding my motorcycle in all 50 states. I’m forever grateful to have experienced this milestone with him because in July of 2012, Lee was tragically lost in a single-motorcycle accident on Interstate 91 in Vermont.
I attribute another big part of my survival to Dr. Letha Mills and her staff at the Mount Ascutney Hospital Oncology Department in Windsor, Vermont. Without their dedication and expertise, I may not have been able to accomplish all that I have since my diagnosis. They deserve a very special thank you.
I am proud to say I have ridden my motorcycle in all 50 states while fighting CLL. In May of 2015 I turn 75, and I will embark on my next challenge - a coast-to-coast motorcycle ride beginning in Hampton, NH and ending in Eureka, CA.
This trip will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and 100% of the funds raised or donated for the trip will go directly to them. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society focus on finding cures and better treatments for blood cancer patients. The organization has provided:
- Funding for research of my newest targeted therapy. This therapy hits specific molecular targets without harming my healthy cells, resulting in fewer dangerous side effects.
- Valuable information and counseling to help guide patients through their cancer journey and access to current treatment and clinical trial options
- Financial aid and copay assistance to help deal with the financial burden of this devastating diagnosis.
Please join me in helping others who receive this diagnosis obtain the information and services provided by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by donating to their cause.