She's biking from Oregon to Maine for her dad
These are the numbers that Beth Friedman is thinking about now: $25,000 and 3,600 miles. And these are the words: Parkinson's disease and her hero, her father, Tom McDowell.
Friedman – a marathoner turned cyclist – has spent months readying for a ride to raise $25,000 for research into the degenerative neurological disorder that was diagnosed nine years ago for her father.
"It's an incredible physical challenge," the Wilmington resident said about the ride, which runs 3,600 miles from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine. "I'm petrified."
She said she'll be one of 22 bicyclists scheduled to average 92 miles a day for 40 days, with four rest days, reaching Maine on Oct. 6. The others, she said, are participating in the Trek Travel cross-country journey for fun. She's the only one with a mission.
There is no cure for Parkinson's, but her father "has fought this disease like the Korean War Marine veteran he is, facing each new challenge with a resolute 'Semper Fi,' " she wrote on www.bikede.org.
She was scheduled to dip her bike into the Pacific last Sunday and then head east, raising money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation (the actor also has Parkinson's) and blog at www.p2p4parkinsons.com.
This is her first Parkinson's fundraiser, but not her first for physical conditions that have touched her heart. One of her dozen marathons (in Antarctica, and yes, she's marathoned on all seven continents) raised money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in honor of Harry Connell, who had leukemia and was best man at her wedding to Eddie Friedman. Another marathon, on the Great Wall of China, raised money for the American Heart Association, in honor of her late sister, Meg McDowell.
Her father inspired her with his energy, athleticism and love of the outdoors. Tom McDowell, 83 years young, retired 20 years ago from work as an engineer (one proud accomplishment: designing the machine that makes Viagra tablets) and plans to return to school in September (a University of Delaware certificate program on project management).
In between, he built and rehabbed houses, started a company and sold mattresses and vacuums at Sears. He is also volunteering for a Veterans Affairs study of how weight training could help Parkinson's patients.
Parkinson's has weakened his knees and balance (he's had to learn how to fall) and hit his vocal cords, like singer Linda Ronstadt. He's had three throat operations to improve his gravely and hoarse voice – a detriment for someone with a college degree in marketing and public speaking.
His marketing work on the fundraising ride "has given him a new lease on life," said his wife, Nancy Coning. Both plan head up from New Castle to greet Friedman in Maine.
McDowell said he has had to adjust, but not slow down. He even jokes about it.
"An Irishman is asked whether he would rather have Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. 'Parkinson's,' he says, 'because you only spill an ounce of Irish whiskey, but with Alzheimer's you forget where you put the whole bottle.' "
Friedman, 54, was a two-miler at Concord High School, and she ran her first marathon at age 24. Three years ago, a neuroma in her right foot forced her to curtail running. "I tried to run through it, but couldn't because of the pain." So she switched to cycling to continue her physical activity.
She now owns a hybrid and road bike, and in January she started spinning classes to prepare for this lengthy fundraiser. As the weather warmed, she moved outdoors, by June hitting 250 miles a week on the bike – and more time lifting, strengthening and conditioning.
She credits the friendly people of the White Clay Bicycle Club and their rides through the beautiful and hilly ("really great hills – anything long and steep") rural terrain of the Delaware-Pennsylvania-Maryland area for enhancing her exercise.
Friedman said she has also enjoyed the preparations for the fundraiser.
"It's been so much fun working with Dad, sharing a project, something we're both passionate about," she says.
The fundraising during the trip will be low-key (just a labeled jacket), and she hopes to enjoy encounters with people and the picturesque countryside.
"I love traveling, meeting people," she said. "I just want to enjoy the scenery and the people I meet." And sharing it all on her blog.
She hopes that her individual commitment – and those of her donors – will help research into Parkinson's, which helps understand similar disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's. And for that commitment, she quoted anthropologist Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."