Around the Park: Cycling for a Cure to Cancer
By LESLIE HUNT Staff writer
Tim Deegan of Chartwell, 45, a member of the Severna Park Peloton Bike Club has taken his liking for biking to a new level – off of the usual course along the Baltimore Annapolis Trail and on to pavement – to help raise awareness and money for cancer research.
The father of four, ages 19 months to 6, was one of 900 delegates from across the country to attend the LIVESTRONG Foundation’s LIVESTRONG Summit held last month in Ohio.
Each delegate was chosen on the basis of a short written piece explaining why they would like to attend the summit.
Tim wrote how cancer has crept into his life through family members stricken with one form or another.
Cancer currently has its grips on his mother and took both of his wife Susan’s parents. The final blow that prompted him to get involved with raising money and awareness came when his brother-in- law, 48, was diagnosed last year.
“It was a life-altering event for me,” said Tim.
The four-day summit included topics on advocacy, fundraising and simply how to help raise awareness. The summit raised $3 million dollars.
Tim heads to Philadelpia this weekend for another fundraising ride. Tim’s goal was to raise $4,000 in pledges, he met and slightly surpassed his goal. As a reward for his effort, he is among a group of LIVESTRONG riders who will attend a private appreciation dinner with Lance Armstrong this weekend.
“I am thrilled,” said Tim.
A program highlight during his stay in Ohio was a presidential town hall meeting, with presidential candidate John McCain, moderated by Lance Armstrong.
Tim said he learned some tough and alarming facts at the meeting that will keep him steadily involved in a fight to not cut funding for research. “One out of every two men will be diagnosed with cancer and one out of every three women,” said Tim. “These are amazing statistics – one every minute dies from cancer.”
“If 1,500 people died in the war every day – that would be newsworthy,” said Tim, referring to the cuts in cancer research funding. “It was a very eye-opening experience.”
Anne Arundel County has one of the highest cancer rates in the state, he said.
“That is alarming,” he said.
This weekend, Tim will head to Philadelphia for the LIVESTRONG Challenge, a 100-mile ride through the city to help raise money and awareness of the disease. The ride draws more than 3,000 participants.
The money raised through LIVESTRONG events are directed to educating, empowering and emotionally strengthening cancer patients as they cope with cancer.
Seniors and their families are invited to a Living Long-Living Well event sponsored by the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Severna Park Elks Lodge from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Severna Park Elks Lodge, 160 Truck House Road.
Living Long-Living Well will include three seminars, hearing and blood-pressure screenings, exhibitors and affordable lunch for attendees. The “At Home-Chesapeake” seminar at 10:30 a.m. will address the complex and needed resources required for older citizens living in Anne Arundel County. Presenters will be Maureen Cavaiola and Peter Engstrom, members of Partners in Care and the Advisory Board for At Home-Chesapeake.
A “Spirituality and Aging” seminar at 11:30 a.m. will identify the spiritual needs of the elderly and the importance of addressing them. The presenter will be Margo Carey RN of the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging.
A “Stay Strong and Fit – Exercise Past 55″ seminar at 1 p.m. will include information on exercises that benefit ages 55 plus. The presenter will be Ellen Flaherty, wellness services coordinator at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Corporate sponsors are Chesapeake Hearing Centers Inc., Lundberg Builders Inc., McCarl Dental Group, MobilityRS and Sunrise Independent and Assisted Living.
For more information, call Linda Zahn at 410-647-3900.
E-mail your Severna Park news to lhunt@capitalgazette.com or call 410-280-5944. {Corrections:} {Status:}
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