Richard Spayde Gives Back With Cycling

Richard J. Spayde is a survivor of leukemia, having undergone two bone marrow transplants within 40 days of each other in 2005. After triumphing over such adversity Richard was inspired to help others and co-founded the Cure on Wheels Foundation, which raises money with bike rides and other events for cancer research and to help patients undergoing treatment. Richard is the president of Cure on Wheels and he is also active in other organizations, including serving on the Board of Trustees of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and sitting on the Patient Advisory Board of the Moffitt Cancer Center. Since starting Cure on Wheels, Richard has given more than 1,000 hours of his time each year and raised more $300,000 during the various events. That money has gone back to the community, including $25,000 donated to the All Children's Hospital to provide specialized stationary bicycles for the children to use during extended stays for cancer treatment. This year's fundraiser is a three-day, 325-mile bike-a-thon to take place from Sunday, March 10th to Wednesday, March 13th. Learn more about Cure on Wheels and get inspired to start your own challenge whether it be to get in shape for yourself and your family or to help shape the health of your community. Do you know someone who survived a health crisis and took that experience and turned it into a positive commitment to give back? Nominate them for next week's AmericanTowns's Hero.