Los Angeles, CA. Riding a motorcycle with a throng of true believers from
Marina Del Ray on a sunny Sunday afternoon through Venice Beach, Santa
Monica, and Malibu without stopping at a single intersection -- impossible. Right?
Wrong! It is possible if you have a police escort, and the backing of the
Pacific Meso Center
, the nonprofit dedicated to discovering new and better ways to treat patients with
malignant mesothelioma, the same asbestos related cancer that took the life of famed Hollywood
icon Steve McQueen more than 30 years ago.
Thanks to the Pacific Meso Center,
John Caron
and I were able to join similarly enthused and awestruck motorcyclists
last Sunday in "
The Greatest Escape," an organized ramble up the coast to commemorate the anniversary
of the release of one of McQueen's greatest movies. Thanks to the
leadership of PMC, and the work of a small army of volunteers, sponsors,
celebrities, vendors and CHP "Evel Knievel" officers, the ride
went off without a hitch.
"What a momentous day," beamed Caron. "We were pleased to
honor those who have passed on, give hope to those still persevering,
and just have a day of fun on the beach with many of our clients, their
friends and families."
"Before today, I never dreamed it would be possible to motor unabated
through some of the worse traffic in the world," he continued. "It
goes to show you -- anything's possible, if you're smart, motivated,
and organized. The same goes for helping mesothelioma patients. To tame
this terrible cancer, which has taken down so many for so many years,
it's going to take a smart and motivated team of doctors, scientists
and researchers, along with politicians, organized labor, patient advocates,
drug companies and the government."
The Greatest Escape raised over $100,000, which will be used to fund ongoing
research initiatives at PMC's laboratory in Los Angeles.
Worthington & Caron, which helped sponsor the event, donated $50,000 to the PMC on behalf
of all our clients who have struggled with mesothelioma. It was gratifying
to rumble up the coast with our clients Chuck Jarvis, Jr., Michael Johnson
and William Paulus, three young men who each lost their Dads to mesothelioma.
Plans are already underway for next year's Greatest Escape. Not only
does the event support a worthy cause, it also offers the chance of a
lifetime to throttle without stopping through Los Angeles and up the coast
to enjoy the sunshine on the beach with friends, dance to live rock ‘n’
roll music, sip a craft beer or two and chow down on great food.
We wish again to thank the PMC, all the volunteers, and the California
Highway Patrol for their hard work. And a special shout out to our friends
Clare Cameron, Victoria Adams, Dr. Robert Cameron, Michael Johnson, William
Paulus, and Chuck Jarvis, Jr., along with a big kudos to our new friends
the Walking Phoenixes, Bartels’ Harley-Davidson, Larry Wilcox, Sheriff
Lee Baca, Disc Jockeys Tom & Sandy and Lorenzo Lamas.