Donating
Spares Needed!49 miles today with an event at Tyler Junior College.
We had a lot of Honorees and a nice crowd greeted us. A number of local riders started and finished with us and more picked up along the way.
This ride has been going on for over 20 years. I really enjoyed the camaraderie.
The days were filled with sadness, joy, pain, triumph and just plain fun.
There were many heroes that had dealt with the loss of a loved one while that loved one had turned tragedy into ecstatic joy as they gave life to another person through deceased donation.
The giving of stem cells, blood, platelets, and organs just because we can through living donations to those less fortunate so they can live a normal life and in many cases, save their lives.
So many advocates that give of their time and resources to help in so many ways, including our fantastic support team while on the ride.
Today I rode for and honored John Spiller.
John Spiller Stem Cell Transplant Recipient
“In 2020, I was diagnosed with Mantle cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I spent eight months in Tyler getting infusion therapy. In April of 2021, I started my journey at M.D. Anderson, where I received my stem cell transplant on May 6th.
I was quarantined for one month at M.D. Anderson, then had to stay in Houston for 100 days. I was allowed to come home but had to remain in quarantine in my home for another four months.
My immune system is still very weak, but I am allowed to leave home with restrictions.
I did experience some setbacks, namely pneumonia, RSV and COVID to name a few, but I’m still pushing forward.
If there is any advice I could give someone else going through this, I would say, “Try not to let cancer get in your head and bring you down.” I have had a great support system from my wonderful daughters, grandson, and siblings. God has blessed me with more time to annoy them all. God has been very, very good to me through this trial; I thank God every day.
A special thanks to Debbie Mabry for inviting me on this ride.
Debbie Mabry, Tour Coordinator
Donation Advocate
Temple, TX
“Having been a member of all of the Lone Star Circle of Life tours, I have seen first-hand the impact of this event. I have seen people come up to tell me they started donating blood because of the message they heard at the tour, as well as many who have told me they joined both registries because of this tour.
This is a life-changing event for the riders and for those who hear their message.”
