Improving spring weather has health care leaders focused on getting everyone Fit in the Mitt, working to improve the quality of life for all of us by getting us up and moving, but some of us are more dedicated to the cause then others — perhaps none so much as Dawn Spoon, a longtime registered nurse with Hospice at Home, a Lakeland Health Affiliate. She will launch her third consecutive mega-ride aboard a bicycle for her personalized Tour de Mitt this summer.
Spoon first picked up the cause two years ago when she set the goal to raise money through a Herculean 450-mile bike ride through Michigan from Mackinac City to Stevensville. She has completed two such trips and is inviting other biker fans to join the effort from July 8th through the 16th.
In year one, Dawn set off on her special mission to raise enough cash to provide a month of charity room & board at the Merlin & Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. As news of her trip quickly spread, others joined her journey and Dawn has raised more than $16,000 over the past two years — with a goal of raising $12,000 during the 2016 ride.
Dawn says, "I have observed the stress on families trying to provide care to their loved ones without the financial resources to get them into a facility, or who can't care for them at home." She adds, "My goal is to combine two things I love and create a resource for those most in need so that they can have access to quality care regardless of their ability to pay."
Bikers of all levels are invited to join for all, or any part of, the journey. Those who are unable to ride can support the event as sponsors or by donating to the cause, and all money raised from the ride will benefit people in need of hospice care.
New this year, on Dawn's third annual ride, a team of up to 14 riders will benefit from training and nutrition coaching provided by fitness coach Thom Figueroa from TRI-ING For Life beginning on May 16th for eight weeks leading up to the race. For more information or to join the team you can call 269-635-9109.
Click this link for more information at Tour de Mitt or to donate:
