The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation was the charity of choice for Rebecca and Ron, two strangers living on opposite sides of the world who participated in Cycle for Unity’s journey through Tuscany, Italy. Cycle for Unity is a non-profit organization that allows riders to raise funds for charitable organizations through cycling adventures. Riders are committed to and responsible for raising a minimum amount for their selected charity. Though they were working individually, Rebecca and Ron collectively raised over $4,000 for Gift of Life.
Ron said, “Cycle for Unity seemed like the perfect way to fulfill three goals: have a great time going to an exotic place, experience that great place by biking, making the vacation more active and unique and finally, elevating the trip by making the focus a worthwhile charitable endeavor.” Forty-six year old Ron grew up in Florida and has lived in Israel for the past ten years with his wife, Diana, and five children, who range in age from seven to 23.
Rebecca, a 49 year old mother of two and grandmother of three from Brooklyn, NY, took up riding to get in shape. She too felt that the ride would be a beautiful way to see Italy and was delighted to see Gift of Life listed on the organization’s suggested charities. Just a few years ago, her daughter, Celia, had been called as a potential donor for a patient, after swabbing her cheek at Yeshiva of Flatbush in New York. She explained, “My daughter said Gift of Life was such a great charity, does great work, does beautiful things. What more can I say? You guys save lives. There is no better reason than that.”
Gift of Life served as inspiration for Rebecca as she rode 40-60 miles per day to train for the trip. She said, “Every time I couldn’t get up a hill, I thought about Gift of Life. I thought, I’m getting up this hill, I am not going to quit.” Initially, Rebecca felt that fundraising was difficult, but she was touched to receive lots of inspiration and encouragement from friends. Now that the trip is over, she said, “I would love to keep raising funds for Gift of Life. If I ever ride again, that’s my charity.”
Ron agreed, saying “I picked Gift of Life because they have saved thousands of lives.” After registering to become a bone marrow donor in 1989, Ron was called 24 years later when he matched a patient who needed a transplant. He said, “I was the only match for this person out of 20 million people in donor banks throughout the world.” The donation process was quick and easy for Ron, who explained, “For me it was little more than a minor distraction, for someone else it was hopefully a new lease on life.”
Both Rebecca and Ron described their time in Tuscany as an incredible trip of a lifetime. Rebecca said, “It was only seven days but it’s now a part of my life. The people I met are friends for life. It was a beautiful trip.” Ron said, “The best part of the trip was meeting the most amazing, accomplished and friendly group of folks. The trip WAS hard, but it was incredibly fulfilling. Tuscany was gorgeous, the food was amazing - what more could we have wanted?”
