Riding a bicycle 75 miles a day cross country through 18 states for more than three months and covering 7,000 miles may sound like a daunting task for a 57-year-old Metairie grandfather.
For Eric McIntyre, though, the challenge is something he feels he has to do.
"The idea came to me one night while lying in bed, and it wouldn't go away," McIntyre said.
McIntyre's wife, Liz, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2012. And since then she has been enrolled in a clinical trial at the National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C. McIntyre's cross-country adventure, which he is calling the Pancreatic Cancer Victory Tour, will raise money for the Lazarex Cancer Foundation which has its headquarters in Danville, Calif. The Lazarex Cancer Foundation covers the cost for patients and a companion to travel to various cities where they can participate in clinical trials.
McIntyre will leave New Orleans April 6 and travel through 18 states including Arkansas, Idaho, California, Wisconsin and Washington before returning to New Orleans July 25. He will be accompanied by a support vehicle, and Liz McIntyre will travel in the support vehicle when possible.
"This is something God placed on my heart," said McIntyre, who has worked with State Farm Insurance Companies for 36 years. "The bicycle tour is a way for me to sacrifice as much as I can for Liz. And it's also a way for me to show the depths of my love and support for her."
Even though McIntyre has run a couple of marathons, he said he doesn't consider himself an endurance athlete. To prepare for the arduous task of riding a bicycle 7,000 miles in three months McIntyre has been training by riding his bicycle 200 miles each week while still working full time with State Farm.
McIntyre has also established the Pancreatic Cancer Victory Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit.
"We established the foundation to spread hope among those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and to focus attention on effective clinical trials," McIntyre said. "Liz and I agree that this is about so much more than our personal journey, and we sincerely hope it inspires others to do a little more and fight a little harder."
When McIntyre informed Liz of his plan to ride his bicycle cross country, she said she had mixed feelings.
"I think it is both wonderful and crazy," Liz said. "God has been with us through so many journeys, and I'm praying that God will be with Eric while he does this. This will be another remarkable chapter in our lives."
"We want to raise awareness to what kind of help is available to people with pancreatic cancer and also what is going on in the world of pancreatic cancer," Eric McIntyre said.
Dana Dornsife is the founder and president of the Lazarex Cancer Foundation.
"What Eric and Liz are doing is absolutely extraordinary, especially at this point in their lives," Dornsife said. "Cancer affects people in different ways. Some people don't want to do anything while others go through the motions of doing something. And then there are those who step forward to make sure the suffering of their loved one is not in vain. And that is what Eric and Liz are doing. They are not going to suffer in silence. They want to bring attention to this problem so others will be helped."
All of the proceeds from McIntyre's cross country bicycle tour will benefit the Lazarex Cancer Foundation. McIntyre has set up a donation page linked to lazarex.org as well as the Pancreatic Cancer Victory Foundation Facebook page for those who want to follow him.
Metairie Music Club
The Metairie Music Club will celebrate its 50th anniversary March 21 at the home of one of its members. The hours are 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Carolyn Nelson, president of the National Federation of Music Clubs and Ken Nelson, president of the Louisiana Federation of Music Clubs will be on hand for the celebration.
Angela Marino Corona, who made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 2010 will perform at the event. Corona is a former student of one of the members of the Metairie Music Club.
"The purpose of the Metairie Music Club is to promote music in the community," said Mary Monsted, program chair for the club. "To be a member of the club you don't have to be a music teacher or vocalist. Instead, you just have to believe that music is good for the community."
The Metairie Music Club has a membership of 63. The club meets the third Wednesday of each month. For information, visit www.metairiemusicclub.org.
St. Philip Neri
The St. Philip Neri Church and School Men's Club will hold its seventh annual crawfish boil March 21 beginning at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the gate for adults 16 and older. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20. St. Philip Neri is located at 6500 Kawanee Ave., Metairie. For more information, call 504.887.5600 or email Chad Terminie at SPNCrawfishCookoff@cox.net.
Earl Hodges writes about people and events in the heart of Metairie. He can be contacted at earlhodges@msn.com.
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