This Valentine’s Day Register You and Your Sweetheart for the Trek Across Maine
The American Lung Association event celebrates its 28th year in 2012
Portland, ME (February 14, 2012)—
Four years ago, Jay Hibbard’s friend, Lynn Holland, was looking for people to join her on a three-day bicycle trek benefitting the American Lung Association. Her mother Dottie, suffered from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and forming a cycling team to raise money for lung disease made sense. Jay and his new girlfriend, Marianna Fenton, registered for the Trek Across Maine as part of Team Dottie Holland, even though neither of them had ever been a part of anything like it before.
“I wanted to drop out, but Jay wouldn't hear of it,” Marianna said about that first year. “If he was not going to quit, neither was I.” She had torn her rotator cuff two days prior to the Trek, and Jay had injured both knees while completing a home improvement project. Nonetheless, the couple finished out the weekend and has come back every year since. Marianna especially likes the Trek because training is a great way for Jay and herself to be healthy together.
Sadly, that year, Dottie took a turn for the worse and passed away just two days after the Trek. Jay and Marianna had been friends with Lynn Holland, but since that whirlwind weekend, Marianna describes Lynn as one of their “very dearest friends.” COPD is the third leading cause of death in this country. The disease can completely change a person’s lifestyle, because the small act of breathing becomes extremely difficult. However, proper treatment can dramatically increase quality of life, thanks to years of lung disease research.
This past December, Jay and Marianna became engaged. Marianna describes the couple as “extremely fortunate to have found each other” and their relationship as “the best thing since sliced toast.” Jay even does all the fundraising for the couple and Marianna says he does it “because he loves her.” Last year, he even managed to raise more than $2,000, which qualified them both for the Winner’s Circle. Anyone who has ever experienced the Trek Across Maine Winner’s Circle knows the perks make the Trek that much better. “I love being in the Winner’s Circle!” said Marianna.
Cyclists come from all across Maine, 28 states and Canada to ride 180 miles in three days from Sunday River Ski Resort in Bethel to Steamboat Landing Park in Belfast. After 28 years, the Trek Across Maine means different things to different people - a family tradition on Father’s Day Weekend, a way for businesses to promote good health, a fundraising competition for a good cause, or a tribute to friends and family who’ve lived with, and in many cases died from lung disease.
Participants in the Trek Across Maine are responsible for a $55 registration fee as well as a fundraising minimum of $500. Any trekker to raise more than $1,000 becomes a part of the prestigious Winner’s Circle. The American Lung Association offers all kinds of perks and incentives for members of the Trek Across Maine Winner’s Circle, throughout the whole year.
The Trek Across Maine is the largest fundraiser for the American Lung Association nationwide, raising almost two million dollars in 2011. Proceeds benefit lung disease research, advocacy and programs that support the American Lung Association’s mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The American Lung Association reinvests 78 cents on every dollar to support their mission.
To learn more about the Trek Across Maine, or to register, visit biketreknewengland.org.
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About the American Lung Association of New England
The American Lung Association of New England is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. ALANE serves CT, MA, ME, NH, RI and VT.
