With one in two men and one in three women in America being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, most of us know someone who has been affected by this devastating disease. You can make a difference by supporting me in The Ride For Roswell.

This year I am riding in memory of Donald E. Adams. Don was a fellow trustee, as well as a deacon and elder, at Clarence Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of our Ride For Roswell Team. Born in Vermont, Don graduated from the University of Vermont (B.S.) and Cornell University (M.S.) in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career in 1962 at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory in Cheektowaga. He remained there through 8 different company names, including Calspan and General Dynamics, retiring after 42 years. Some of his research involved military guns/ammunition, safety/efficiency of gas fired appliances, safety of LPG railroad tank cars, and testing hypersonic vehicles.

Don was a member of the Sitzmarker Ski Club, President of both the Town of Clarence Baseball Association and Clarence Girls Softball league. He coached his children's baseball/softball teams, and played slow/fast pitch softball for over 35 years. Don also served on the Town of Clarence Recycling/Solid Waste Committee. During retirement, he worked with the AARP helping prepare tax returns at the Clarence Library. 

On a personal note, I enjoyed working with Don as a Trustee at Clarence Presbyterian for 2 terms. A calm, knowledgeable, selfless force, he always put the church's best interests first and foremost; traits we all should strive for in all aspects of our lives.

On June 22nd, I'm again biking the 44 mile "Canada" route from Roswell Park, across the Peace Bridge to Niagara Falls, Ontario. Crossing the Rainbow Bridge back into Niagara Falls, NY, we'll wind our way back to UB's Amherst Campus. Biking with 3 fellow Eagle Scouts/good friends, it will be my ninth year participating in the "Ride."

Working together we CAN make a difference. Maybe someday in your life, or the life of someone you love. Perhaps you would like to honor someone, like Don, affected by cancer as well. Note their name when donating. Send a check made out to "Ride For Roswell", c/o 8694 Lapp Road, Clarence Center, NY 14032, OR donate on-line (rideforroswell.org rider name "David Burghardt") before June 22nd. Let's beat last year's total of over $6500!  Thank you for your support!

June 22nd...riding for/supporting those who battle; remembering those we've lost.

Don...this ride's for you!