The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc. (PanCAN), established in 1999, is the first national patient advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. PanCAN works to focus national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. We provide public and professional education embracing the urgent need for more research, effective treatments, prevention programs and early detection methods. PanCAN also funds research grants for pancreatic cancer, as well as providing patient services. Volunteers across the country help us to accomplish our goals.


Pedaling the C & O Canal for PanCAN

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The 184.5 mile long Chesapeake & Ohio Canal was built between 1828 and 1850 and stretches along the Potomac River between Washington, D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves the remains of America's colorful canal era. For nearly a century, the C&O Canal was the lifeline for communities and businesses along the Potomac, as coal, lumber, grain, and other agricultural products gently floated down the canal to market. This magnificent water highway linked the rapidly growing west to the east and played an important role in the growth and development of our country. It operated sporadically between floods until 1924. In 1954, US Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas organized an eight day hike up the canal's towpath in an effort to save it from being converted to a parkway. His efforts succeeded, and in 1971 the canal became a National Historic Park.

The towpath is not paved (the surface is typically clay and crushed stone), so it is a bit rough. We are attempting to ride the entire distance in one weekend on mountain bikes.

We encourage others to join us in this ride and hope that if you do so you to will raise awareness and funding for Pancreatic Cancer research.

Paul Thorson has been gracious enough to help us with our camping setup for the ride on Saturday night the 24th. We can't thank him enough. This selfless deed will allow us to ride with much lighter loads, making us faster and stealthier. It looks like we have settled on camping at the McMahons Mill Campground http://www.mcmahonsmill.com/campground.html (Mile 88).

Chef Steve Logan has donated a heat and serve meal for us to enjoy Saturday night. The food is guaranteed to be excellent as Brian and Mike can attest from past experiences.

Charles Creek of Freedom Trailriders www.freedomtrailriders.com has offered to shuttle our group to Cumberland at a nominal cost in support of our ride, thanks Charles. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn in Cumberland the night before the big ride so we can get an early start on Saturday.

For more information you may contact us via e-mail:
  • Michael Thron
  • Brian Bartell
  • Chuck Franklin





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