It’s a cause Don Belisle believes in, and he doesn’t mind pushing his own limitations to raise money for it.
At 1 p.m., July 19, the Evans resident will embark on 24 Hours of Hope – a 24-hour cycling event to raise money for Paceline which provides grants to further cancer research.
“It will be the most ambitious, difficult thing I’ve done by far,” said Belisle, who has put himself through some grueling endeavors to raise $20,000 in the past four years.
His first effort was a century ride with Paceline four years ago. Last year, he spent 10 days riding 600 miles across Georgia from Columbus to Brunswick then to the Georgia Cancer Center.
Like many people, Belisle has a close connection to the disease. His father died of stomach cancer 30 years ago at the age of 68, the same age Belisle is now. He was with his father when he took his last breath. He also had an employee who died of brain cancer.
“I just know too many people,” said Belisle, who works part time for Paceline. “I’m not a doctor. I’m not a researcher. I can’t come up with a cure, but I can at least help them. I’m contributing to the endgame of finding a cure for cancer.”
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Belisle said he was able to train for the 600 miles across Georgia, but he’s not sure how to train for this event.
He’ll do the ride from his home. He has a bike that has been mounted. He’d thought about doing it outdoors, but there were too many logistics. He will be doing a live-stream and has invited friends to join him at the beginning and end and in the middle if they have insomnia that night.
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Of course, he’ll take bathroom breaks and other short breaks to change clothes, stretch his legs and refuel his body. A Type 2 diabetic, he’ll be keeping an eye on his blood sugar levels.
He has some sponsors and has some gift cards to award donors. He hopes to bring in $5,000 to put him at $25,000 in cumulative donations. To donate, go here.
One reason he’s chosen to both work with Paceline and raise money for the organization is that every dollar donated goes directly to cancer research. Paceline’s administration costs are underwritten by the Medical College of Georgia Foundation.
The time on his bike will give him a chance to clear his mind and think.
“I always try to go with – how do you top this? I haven’t done this year’s, and I’m already thinking about what I’ll do next year,” he said.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
