I am proud to inform you that once again the Matt Pack will be participating in the 2017 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Cycle for Life.   Nancy and I have formed the first National Cystic Fibrosis Cycle For Life team in the country in 2014.  Named Matt Pack, the cycling team is developed to support the drive to cure Cystic Fibrosis by the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation.  The team purpose is to raise funds for a cure for this horrible disease.  In four years the Matt Pack road in Northern and Southern California, Southern Ohio, Atlanta, Nashville, Scottsdale, Denver, Phoenix, and Detroit.  We raised more than $40,000 to support the CF foundation with over 40 riders participating.

2016 was a challenging year for the Matt Pack.  Two of our key riders, Cecelia Bellcross, and Larry Lemer went down.  Cecelia broke her hip in a mid summer training ride and Larry fractured his hip and pelvis in the Denver, Colorado Cystic Fibrosis ride.  Thankfully our team of over 18 riders who committed to the ride participated around the country and supported us with another successful year.  Thanks to all…

You may or may not know that cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems of about 30,000 Americans.  Just two generations ago, most children didn’t live long enough to attend elementary school.  Today, nearly half of people with CF are age 18 or older.  In the last two years a magnificent drug has been introduced to the CF community.   Through the joint efforts of the CF Foundation and Vertex Pharmaceuticals we now have Kalydeco.  Unfortunately only 50% of the patients with CF do not have the strand of CF on which Kalydeco is effective.  The doctors believe they are close to opening up other drugs that will help the remaining CF population.  This research will take additional funds.

2017 is the fifth year for the Matt Pack to participate in the CF Cycle for Life.  Starting with just four riders in Atlanta in 2013 we continue to grow our team.  We currently have Matt Pack teams in the following cities:

• Atlanta, GA - the original team with Team Leader Larry Lemer
• Orange County, CA - a branched team with local Team Leader Mike Binder

If you are a cyclist it is simple to join our team.  Click the “Join a Team” button above, or go to the link below and sign up.  We welcome participants in new cities.  To sign up a new city simply click on the “Start a Team” button above and sign up your new Matt Pack team.  By being part of the Matt Pack national team, the CF Foundation has waived the registration fee for members.  Place the code Mattpack in the discount code box when completing your registration.  I am sure you will find the ride rewarding, challenging and fun.

Click here to Join a Matt Pack Team  

If you are not a cyclist and want to contribute to our 2017 fundraising drive simply follow the link below and click the “Donate to a Team Member” button:

http://fightcf.cff.org/goto/GAmattpack

Your donation is certainly appreciated by those battling the CF disease.

Thank you for your support.  We look forward to riding with you soon and meeting you at the finish line. 

Larry and Nancy Lemer