The name Tom Peled won’t mean much to most Israelis or Americans. Come summer, however, this 24-year-old will do all he can to make sure you know about his mission: raising money for cancer research in Israel.
Peled has launched the BIKE FOR THE FIGHT (BFF) project – a charity bike ride that will see him ride across the US from Los Angeles to New York in order to raise money for cancer research.
All proceeds will be donated to the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF). Since 1975, ICRF has donated more than $40 million to support innovative studies by Israeli scientists, with many lifesaving achievements being made in all fields of cancer research.
Peled’s father died of cancer in 2011. To help channel his grief, he set out on a 3,000 mile bike ride through Europe last year. This year, he’s hoping to benefit the community with another challenging cycle tour.
Peled plans to ride through Jewish communities, summer camps, and major sporting events telling people his personal story and encouraging others to join his cause by donating money or accompanying him on a part of his trip across the US.
President Shimon Peres met Peled and gave his support of the project.
Peled will kick off fundraising efforts in Israel on June 1 with a local bike trip. On July 25, he will arrive in Los Angeles to begin his Bike For The Fight ride across the US that will include stops in Memphis, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Chicago, Illinois; New York City; Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.