Tracey Pettengill '93 will bike across country this summer to raise money for the American Cancer Society in memory of her mother, who died of cancer in 1987.
Pettengill will begin her journey by dipping her rear wheel into the Pacific Ocean. Then she will head southeast through the Rockies and into Kansas, at which point she will pedal due east to Virginia.
Pettengill, who will be riding with Clay Adams '93, first conceived of the trip last summer, and has been in contact with the Greater Hartford Unit of the American Cancer Society since September. Although the Society has provided some administrative assistance, Pettengill coordinated the trip and the fundraising herself.
"Everyday I go to my H.B. and get about 10 to 15 contributions," Pettengill said. "Half of them are from people I've never met who tell me that their wife just died of cancer, or it could be a grandfather or a sister or even they have it. It's amazing how everyone has been touched in some way by this disease . . . I started off riding for my mother, but I feel like now I'm going to be riding for all these people."
Contributions can be sent to Pettengill directly at HB 3527 until July 8. After that, contributions should be sent to: American Cancer Society, attn. Cross-Country for a Cure, Greater Hartford Unit, 670 Prospect Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105.
