Why a Cross-Country Bike Ride?: The idea to bike across America came about last year from a conversation with a friend. We both shared a love of endurance events and felt biking across America would be a great way to tap into our endurance potential while raising money for causes that were dear to us.  So we began brainstorming routes across the country and organizations we could raise money for. Right away I knew I wanted to raise money for an eating disorder support and recovery program. I just had to find the right one.   

My Heart for Eating Disorders Awareness: When I was in high school a dear friend of mine developed bulimia. For over 15 years she battled with recurrent bouts of binging and purging and was literally consumed by the disease. Thankfully she is in strong recovery now, but her years of illness took a tremendous toll on her emotionally, socially and physiologically. Through my friend and others I have since met who struggle similarly, I have been witness to the terrifying and devastating effects of an eating disorder. I have learned that eating disorders do not discriminate and those they affect suffer deeply and often in silence. For many it is this silence that is the biggest hurdle to overcome. I believe that there needs to be more public awareness of eating disorders and more opportunities for those suffering with them to reach out for help.  

Why MentorCONNECT?: After spending weeks researching eating disorder recovery programs, I found an organization called MentorCONNECT.  MentorCONNECT is a non-profit organization that provides an online support system for people with eating disorders. MentorCONNECT is the first organization of its kind to use online and phone mentoring and relationship-building between recovered and recovering persons as a means by which those afflicted with an eating disorder can get help, and those in recovery can help others. Members share personal experiences, provide feedback and encouragement and help each other through their recovery. I chose MentorCONNECT as the beneficiary of the funds I raise from my ride because this non-profit organization provides those struggling with a safe and easy way to ask for help, confront their disease and, with the help of a community of others, find ways to recover and rebuild their lives.