When Ernie Neupert was a young boy, riding across country on a bicycle was something he wanted to do for fun.
Today, at age 60, Neupert is finally fulfilling his dream, but for different reasons.
Neupert is on a one-man mission to help raise money for cancer research.
The New York native made a stop in Greenwood Wednesday, having already traveled 1,692 miles.
Neupert began his 7,000-mile journey across the United States on his 60th birthday, April 4.
Neupert’s life has been affected by the deadly disease in more ways than one. In 1994, Neupert was diagnosed with and had surgery to treat colon cancer. Still today, he takes daily medication for cirrhosis of the liver.
He lost his wife in 1998 to breast cancer. And less than a month later, he lost a close friend to cancer as well.
Neupert said the bike he is using for his trip belonged to his friend who died of cancer. The bike had been placed on consignment for more than a year and had not been sold. His friend was 6-foot, 5-inches, so the bike had been custom made.
Neupert, who is 6-3, said he contacted his friend’s sister and asked if he could have the bicycle.
And with a suitable bike in hand, Neupert decided to make his lifelong dream a reality.
Despite friends who thought he was crazy, Neupert tested his stamina to make the journey across country by taking an 850-mile bike trip to a family reunion in Manassas, Va. in July 1999. He made the trip in 111/2 days riding time.
“This is something I wanted to do — no ifs, ands or buts about it,” Neupert said.
When he got back home, he waited a week before contacting the American Cancer Society.
He was told that ACS had never had a one-man fund raiser before. “I’m in the process of proving that one person can do something if they put their willpower behind it to do so,” Neupert said.
“If I can help one person have the willpower to live and carry on, it will be worth it. We can still do something and be worth something to society,” he said.
He is calling his journey “Uncle Sonny’s Bike-A-Thon to Battle Cancer.” While traveling, he passes out brochures, complete with an address to send donations. Neupert leaves them in restaurants and convenience stores in every town he comes to.
“If I can raise money to help find a cure for the disease, it will be the greatest thing on the face of the earth,” Neupert said.
No one is funding his travels across country. Neupert is footing the bill himself.
“I’m doing it on a $600 a month Social Security and disability budget,” he said. “I am limiting myself to spending $10 a day.”
But people have been generous along the way, Neupert said. Some have provided a meal here and there, while others have helped him with the expense of making copies of his brochures.
With all else aside, Neupert said he is having the time of his life. “I’m starting to feel guilty because I’m having so much fun,” he said. “I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven, but I’m still here on earth.”
