Area resident fighting cancer on two wheels
By Patrick Thornton
The Morning Call
He's not your typical 62-year-old retiree.
He competes in biathlons several times a year. He runs 3 miles and bikes 20-25 miles a day. All of that is easy for the former professional soccer player of 17 years.
But Paul Schmitt's latest challenge will test even his limits -- an 11,964-mile bike trip from Pennsylvania to Florida, California, Washington, Maine and back in 90 days to raise money for cancer research. He will begin in mid-April.
In 1995, the Northampton resident lost his sister, 62, to breast cancer. The day before his sister died, his 37-year-old niece -- his sister's daughter -- died of the same disease.
Schmitt's sister never knew her daughter died, however, because she was in a coma.
"It was devastating," Schmitt said. "Even to this day I think about it."
Ever since that tragic time, Schmitt has been thinking of his own way to raise money to help fight cancer. Now that he is retired, he has the time to dedicate to his mission.
Partnering with the Bethlehem chapter of Relay for Life, Schmitt is hoping to raise at least $10,000 through the Macungie Relay for Life event.
His former employer, the Allen Organ Company, will be matching his donations. He has no sponsors to help pay for his personal expenses on the trip, but he doesn't want any.
He will be putting up about $2,500 of his own money to pay for food, lodging and bike supplies.
Schmitt asks anyone who wants to help to donate to Relay for Life. Donations can be made through his Web site, www.seniorbiker.org, by clicking on donations and then selecting Paul Schmitt after the Relay for Life page comes up.
John Petrilak of the Bethlehem chapter of Relay for Life said many people run or bike for an afternoon. Their commitments are usually for three or four hours, but Schmitt, while aiming for a 90-day trip, could be biking for three or four months.
"I've never seen anything like this," Petrilak said.
About 555,500 people die every year of cancer in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. It's the No. 2 killer of Americans, behind heart disease. Petrilak said donating to research is the best way for Americans to help combat cancer.
"Research is our most important weapon for curing cancer," he said.
Accompanying Schmitt will be his trusty red 12-speed Schwinn and a small trailer he is hooking to the back of his bike to keep supplies. The 10-year-old bike has been with him for thousands of miles, and Schmitt is not about to abandon it for a shinier model for his most important trek.
Schmitt doesn't listen to music while biking. When running, he counts his steps 1-2-3, 1-2-3 over and over until he finishes.
"I don't get bored," Schmitt said. "I have that ambition, that mind-set."
Schmitt has long been a dedicated person. He played the sport he loved, soccer, for 17 years-- including on teams such as the Baltimore Blast-- while working for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Professional soccer in those days didn't pay enough to make ends meet.
But biking from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. would test the resolve of the most dedicated person.
He has the memory of his loved ones to keep him pedaling.
Schmitt said you never know who will get cancer and that's why it's important to donate to research.
"Donating money now might be the money that they need to find a cure."