Machias Valley News Observer | Bill Kitchen | September 24, 2014
So you want to go to Florida for the winter but can’t really afford it? You could always run.
That’s exactly what Al DeCesaris of Annapolis, MD has set out to do to raise awareness and funding for a little known but devastating and rare neurological disorder called Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Al’s ten year-old niece Jenna was born with SWS.
DeCesaris began his epic journey in Lubec, at Quoddy Head State Park on the morning of September 8. “I chose the park with its red-and-white striped lighthouse because it’s the easternmost point in the continental U.S. in the northernmost state on the East Coast,” Al shared. “The locals say this is where the sun first rises. Although I wasn’t there to see the sunrise myself, I’m not much of morning person so a 5:59 a.m. sunrise just wasn’t happening, when I arrived it was a gorgeous, sunny morning.”
He was joined by State Rep. Katherine Cassidy, Founder of the Bay of Fundy International Marathon, Lubec Selectmen Chair Carol Dennison, Bay of Fundy Marathon Director John Hough, Marathon Co-Chair Rachel Rubeor, and several others. “I had spoken to Katherine prior to arriving in Lubec and knew she would bring a group of people to see me off,” he said, “but I had no idea what to expect. Well, let me just say, the Lubec send-off committee couldn’t have made me feel any more welcome.”
DeCesaris is no stranger to traversing the country. Just under a year ago he completed a solo cross-country bicycle journey for the same purpose, riding from Santa Monica, California to Ocean City, Maryland, a trek of 3,088 miles taking 45 days. He wrote a book about the experience entitled Crossing America For A Cure: A Bicycle Journey of Inspiration and Hope. Since 2006, Al, his sister Ida Heck, and their family (now operating as Celebrate Hope Foundation, Inc.), through various charitable events, have raised over $1,000,000 for the cause.
As of the writing of this article DeCesaris was in Biddeford, Maine. He is averaging about twenty miles a day and expects to arrive in Florida shortly before Christmas. When asked about the first leg of his sojourn he said, “Helping distract me from the discomfort were breathtaking water views- ponds, bays, harbors, and covers… this stretch of Route 1 has it all. Also helping was the fact that the crisp, cool air had a distinct scent of pine in it. And, every so often, there was a hint of burning wood from a chimney. It seems in Downeast Maine autumn is just about here. And it’s absolutely stunning.”
He went on to say, “Since day one people have been going out of their way to help me and support the cause, be it with rides, discounts, donations, advice, encouragement. It has been absolutely amazing the way the people of Maine have opened their hearts to me.”
You can learn more about SWS and follow Al’s daily progress on his website, www.RunningtheCoastForACure.com, and on his Facebook site. You can support Al’s efforts by being a running partner, a sponsor or by making a donation.
