LUMBERTON — An anonymous donor is upping the ante in an effort a Lumberton resident spearheaded to raise money for brain cancer research.
Nonprofit 3,000 Miles to a Cure was founded by cyclist Maria Parker, who in 2012 was the first woman to finish the coast-to-coast Race Across America. On June 14, two riders, Rob Decou and Marshall Reeves, set out to continue her ultimate mission to raise $1 million for brain cancer research.
Parker, who is along to capture the journey, wrote in a blog post that an anonymous donor had agreed to give $10 for every remaining mile Reeves pedals. On Friday, he had about 750 miles to go until he reaches Annapolis, Maryland.
It’s Marshall’s third attempt at the race and on Friday he was set to pass where his first try came to an end.
Parker wrote that Reeves has gotten “a big push” from the donor’s commitment.
“She said ‘Just tell him to finish, it’s his third time, he’s not getting any younger. He will not have to do this a fourth time. I so want him to finish. I know how terrible I have felt not finishing a measly 50 miles a few years ago … he must feel that a 1,000 times stronger … He will finish,” Parker wrote.
In addition, the donor is challenging others to follow her lead — and Reeves says he will give a signed 3,000 Miles to a Cure Jersey to anyone who matches her pledge.
Reeves and Decou are hoping to raise $20,000 each for 3,000 Miles to a Cure, which Parker founded after her late sister was diagnosed with the brain cancer. Decou on Friday was about 600 miles from the finish.
Every dollar raised by the nonprofit goes directly to brain cancer research. Since its founding, 3,000 Miles to a Cure has raised more than $166,000.