Evan Dungate decided one day recently to bike across North America and he began the journey Wednesday from Sidney on the Anacortes ferry.
The former University of Victoria student is not doing it as a lark B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 doing it to raise money and awareness of brain research being done to reach breakthroughs in neuroscience. And for Dungate, who took engineering at UVic and had been working as a software engineer during his work term, having a healthy mind is important to him.
That was made more keen when his great uncle Rick Campbell of Sidney died in the spring after suffering from AlzheimerB次元官网网址檚 disease. He said his grandmother, who also lives in Sidney, has the same affliction.
B次元官网网址淚 wanted to do something meaningful so I decided to bike across North America,B次元官网网址� Dungate said. B次元官网网址淎nd my neighbour suggested I do it for a cause.
B次元官网网址淚 am definitely the type of person to wing stuff. ThatB次元官网网址檚 just who I am.B次元官网网址�
So he began his research and found Chicago-based Brain Research Foundation. Dungate said itB次元官网网址檚 run by three women B次元官网网址� who are the FoundationB次元官网网址檚 only paid staff B次元官网网址� who work with a team of neuroscientists to assess areas where funding will do the most good and result in scientific breakthroughs.
So, donning a purple bodysuit and a hat shaped like a brain, Dungate plans to raise awareness through his ride and through his website, and . There, he will update people on his journey, as well as detail the people he meets on the way.
B次元官网网址淭here are researchers out there trying actively to solve the problems that plague our minds today,B次元官网网址� he said, adding he will be keeping track of people he talks to, asking about loved ones affected by brain issues.
Dungate added itB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity for him to learn from a lot of hard stories.
B次元官网网址楾here is a problem, and the state of neuroscience can be lifted. We can get to a higher place of understanding. Understnading our minds is how we become better humans.B次元官网网址�
Dungate left Sidney Wednesday and plans to be near Maryvillle, Washington State. He said heB次元官网网址檒l be using the app Warm Showers to find places to stay along his approximate 4,000-mile ride. He figures the journey across North America will take around three months and he plans to reach New York B次元官网网址� where he has family B次元官网网址� before it gets too cold.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l see how far I make it.B次元官网网址�
Dungate said his fundraising goal is $10,000, but will not make that a hard cap.
