aussie abroad dot org

what’s all this about?

aussie abroad dot org is dedicated to my bicycle trek across continental america (and canada). i’m riding 10,000 kms to raise money for cancer research. working with english and american cancer charities, i will be pedalling across the usa and doing fund raising along the way.

10,000 kms? are you insane?

yes … and yes.

whose idea was this?

i had the idea while talking to friends. natalya, a british friend, runs a small cancer and brain tumor charity. we’ve been collaborating for a few years. at the beginning of 2009, i quit my job and started traveling full time. i was thinking about america and how i could see as much as possible. i had the idea to cycle, figured that we could use it as a publicity stunt and raise some money. natalya loved the idea and we’ve taken it from there.

how much do you think you’ll raise?

dunno. we’ve never done anything this big. since we feel that we should put a value on it, we hope to raise $100,000.

where will that money go?

it will be split between participating charities, big and small, in england and america. all charities are involved in cancer research. our particular focus is brain cancer and tumours.

where exactly are you going to go?

i’m probably starting in toronto. i’ll work my way down the eastern coast to florida, west to texas, north all the way to edmonton, continue west to vancouver, then finish with a long western seaboard run all the way to san diego.

what will you do along the route?

there is going to be a lot of stuff happening. in various cities we’ll link up with local research groups and do fundraising. i want to visit cancer research facilities and talk to people who have cancer – i want to hear their stories of triumph and tragedy. there will also be media stuff too. all in all, it will be a hectic trip and a lot of fun. the more people we see and the more contacts we make, the better.

can i help?

yep!! definitely. there are a few ways you can help us:

• donate money (links will be available soon)
• spread the word (tell friends, media, the internet, anyone)
• volunteer to help us organise events or help your local cancer charity

um, why don’t you capitalise words when you type?

because it type faster that way.

is there anything else i need to know?

not right now. we’re in the planning stages … but if you have any ideas or wish to help out, send us an email – we’d love to hear from you.

cheers

david