Believe
Why John Rides
Believe in the Cure has both personal and symbolic meaning for me. I have been frustrated and upset by the effects of cancer from an early age. I will never forget the funeral of my grandmother, Nell Allen Binford, when she died of ovarian cancer. I was 6 years old. Five years later, my family lost a dear friend, Ginger Blankenbaker, to brain cancer. The memories of these two women have been in my mind from the early conception of this journey, and along the way I will draw strength from dedicating the ride in their names.
From a different perspective, I hope this trip carries an even greater message of hope. No matter how dire a situation may seem, I hope we as individuals, and humanity as a whole, can draw on the very real power of hope and determination. In doing so, I am hopeful that we can foster a willingness to work towards the betterment of society, mankind, and the planet as a whole.
Everyday our world seems to be increasingly overwhelmed with the ills of society, whether these issues stem from pollution, poverty, racism, or war, they seem inextricably interconnected. Millions of individuals are left afraid and disillusioned. Recently, I have been very discontented with the political and economic incentives that negatively affect the wellbeing of our fellow man. How can such shallow political and monetary motivation take precedence over the life and liberty of the world’s citizens? Though I understand I may be perceived as naïve or overly optimistic, I sincerely believe we can turn this all around. It is my hope that, in some capacity, this endeavor unites people as brothers and sisters of this planet. Cancer is an issue that faces humanity as a whole; it reunites us in our commonality, revealing the transience of life and the sacred dignity that it encompasses. Hopefully, with these thoughts in mind, we can pause and consider the unity of our species and our planet, and move towards the betterment of societies and the world.
In any way you can contribute to this journey, we are deeply appreciative. In any way you strive towards the improvement of humanity, spreading the message of hope and eradicating fear, we commend you.
Believe