Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, and welcome to the weekly show here on iHeartRadio
on ninety three nine Light FM, one A three five
Kiss FM and Rock ninety five to five. I'm Paulina,
and every week we're here to discuss a variety of
topics that mattered to Chicago Land, from health, education, to
finances and so much more. Today on the show, we're
talking about meningitis with doctor April Barnes, a pediatrician, and
(00:22):
John Grimes, a meningitis survivor, and Robin Rock is chatting
with Parker Jordan. Let's kick off the show.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Hi's Robin Rock and joining me today is Parker Jordan,
who is planning on one heck of a bike ride
for a really great reason. So Parker, tell me what
you're doing and what your inspiration is.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Yeah. Absolutely, So it's been about two years in the
works and it's finally here. I'll be riding my bike
from Yorktown, Virginia to San Francisco, California, across the country,
you know, in memory of my my my grandmother, Roseanne
Nagel and support for ingraded cancer and support through Project Purple.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So now when you say bike, are you talking about bicycle?
Are you talking about motorcycle.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I'm talking about a bicycle. It's I'll be pedaling the
whole way. Wow, it's about sixty five miles a day,
so okay, sixty is my average.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Per day, which means you're looking at a total of
how many By the time you're done, it.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Should be about four thousand, two hundred miles.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
All set and done, Parker, How long are you giving
yourself to get this done? Do you have a time frame?
Speaker 3 (01:29):
I do have a time frame. I'm it should be
done in about two and a half months. September seventeenth
is my scheduled in date to hit the Golden Gate Bridge.
You know, if you hear from your avid cyclist fans,
I'm not the first person to do this right, and
I might be doing it a little slower than other people.
But we're taking our time, we're enjoying the scenery. Should
we take two and a half months?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
So are you doing this by yourself or do you
have a support team that's coming with you?
Speaker 3 (01:53):
This is going to be solely self supported. I don't
have anyone coming with me. I couldn't convince anyone to
take two and a half two and halfs off with me.
I got a couple of friends that'll leet me along
the path, maybe cycled there or two with me, but yeah,
it's gonna be me.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So Parker, you're putting your life on pause for two
and a half months to raise money to support the
cancer that took your grandmother's life. So she must have
been pretty special to you.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
She was such a kind, loving, carrying grandmother and a
really integral part to our family. So many summers, so
many times just visiting through the years, camping with cousins
and relatives, planning the garden it each each fall in
summer with her. There's so many integral pieces of support
and love throughout my life, and losing her in May
(02:39):
of twenty twenty three was really hard. Shortly after I
lost her, I heard about these long extra trips that
people plan and I thought, Hey, that's a marvelous way
to just run away from all this kind of escape
all of this sad, hard feelings that are right now.
I wanted to run away from this and losing her,
and I didn't commit to it right away. Did take
(03:01):
about two years. I am finally ready to go do this,
but this time I think it would be irresponsible me
not to do it in honor, in a memory of
her and everything that she gave to our family. Yeah,
this is for her.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
How long did it take for you? Because it sounds
like you're a planner, you would obviously you would have
to be to plan a trip like this. How long
did it take for you to get this all laid
out and to go, Okay, this is what I'm doing
and this is the date I'm starting. How did that happen?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
So? I worked at a piece by piece basically, you know,
every day or so for the last two years. Luckily,
there are some great resources out there to help you
kickstart some of this. Namely, there is an Adventure Cycling
Association of nonprofit that does a lot of the mapping
for you. They got routes, they got mapped, So I
chose some of their more popular routes and I kind
(03:49):
of comprised the route based on that for myself, and
then I threw it a couple of little sites that
I thought would be interesting also to see along the way.
I'm in the area, I might as wells sting by
a couple of national parks and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Sixty five miles a day. How has your training been,
I mean, how does one train for sixty five miles
a day for two and a half months.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
I don't know what I did. What I did was
I like to work. You know, I try to get
about twenty miles a day. I tried to, you know,
ride every day in a row consistently. It's two and
a half months. I think it's going to be more
of a mental challenge than a physical At some point
I'll build shape agally as I go through through the country,
(04:28):
But truly, I think it's going to be more of
a mental challenge to stay steady on the bike.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
So tell me about the foundation that you're supporting for
your ride? Can you get and your goal?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Project Purple is the is the Charity Foundation. They are
a nonprofit that supports families and patients in their battle
against pancreatic cancer, So anything from research to patient support
to outbreak programs. They kind of help fund and support
those things, which is the cancer that Rosie passed away from.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
So, now, if folks want to follow along on your journey,
because I know I certainly do, tell me tell me
how we do that.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
I'm going to be posting little updates on Instagram, so
you know where I am. You know that I'm still live.
We're still kick if you can find me at Parker
Underscore Jordan Underscore on Instagram to see kind of what
I've been up to day to day. You can also
track me live in a link in my bio. On
my Instagram page is a Garmin map link that you
can see my live location as I update as I
(05:23):
go through the country, so feel free to check on
where I am and the point of the day there.
And also there you can find the donation page to
Project Purple, where my goal is to raise. Well, my
goal was originally to raise one thousand dollars for I
think the ADIC Cancer Support research and I haven't even
left yet, Robin, and I've already surpassed that by the groups,
the nations for my friends and family. Now we're trying
(05:45):
for twenty five hundred.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Wow, I love it.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
I know, I know. Brought me to tears and I
hadn't even left yet. It was crazy.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
So that's insane. Okay, So you're carving up right now,
I assume, I hope.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
So yeah, absolutely, So you.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Start this week and you hope to be finished.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
When September seventeenth is my targeted end date. But we'll
see if it's a day earlier, day late, depending on
how fast I'm going.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
And you're going to finish up by the Golden Gate Bridge?
Is that what I heard you says.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Across the Golden Gate Bridge?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Yes, Oh my gosh. I had a chance to run
half marathon there a couple of years ago and that
is epic. So what what a cool way to finish.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I'm very excited. Yeah, are you?
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Are you carrying anything special along with you, kind of
as you know, mementos or motivation.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
I have a little couple of trinkets and people left
me that, you know, hey, we want you to have
this as you go along, a little penned into a
little small little bottle of something. I'll also be carrying
my my grandmother's a pancake recipes because it's a really
key way that I've been looking by, and I hope
they share that with people as I need them they look.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
So I love that, I love that, I love what
you do, and can I just tell you, I just
I'm blown away by just your commitment and your dedication,
and I love that you're going to help so many
folks who are badly in pancreatic cancer. By doing this
bike ride. So I just I'll be watching and I'll
(07:15):
be tearing you on and if there's anything we can
do to help you along the way, please let us know.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Okay, thank you so much. It's very nicely here.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Thank you one more time, Parker. Tell people how they
can follow along on your journey and how they can
donate if they want to do that.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
You can find me at Parker Underscore Jordan Underscore on Instagram.
You can also track me live in a link in
my bio. On my Instagram page is a Garman Matt
link that you can see my live location, and also
there you can find the donation page to Project Purple,
where my goal is to raise twenty five hundred.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
Meningitis You've likely heard the term, but do you know
what it is. Let's discuss it as we bring in
doctor A. Prel Barnes, a pediatrician, and John Grimes, he's
a meningitis survivor. I appreciate you both for joining us.
Thanks so much, great to be here, Marry doctor Barnes.
Let's start off with I guess the simple question explain
exactly what meningitis is and how serious it could be.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
So meningitis is an uncommon but serious bacterial infection that
can lead to long term complications and even depth, sometimes
within twenty four hours. So one in ten of those
that contract meningitis will die even with the proper treatment,
and one in five of the survivors can have long
term complications and that includes brain damage, hearing loss, or
(08:33):
lemb amputation, and so anything that a parent can do
talking to their physician about what vaccinations are available for
their team can help with helping to protect them against meningitis.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
There are different kinds of meningitis as well. Is that right?
Speaker 5 (08:49):
There is there's bacterial, there's viral. Any infectious disease can
cause meningitis, but the bacterial ones are particularly concerned mainly
because even with the proper treatment, you can still die
as well as the long term complications that.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
You can have.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
John, you are not only an advocate and a speaker,
but you're a survivor of meningitis. Explained to me what
happened to you, how you dealt with it, and how
you are now.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
Well. Manny I was nineteen years old as a sophomore
in college, and like I was a typical student, like
most teenagers, felt like I was ten feet tall and bulletproof.
And then I got sick and thought I had like
the flu or something. So I took some medicine and
went to bed and woke up eight days later in
(09:39):
the hospital. Wow, blind, disoriented, and more than just a
little lucky to be alive. Really, it was quite miraculous.
My fraternity brother found me on the floor in my
bedroom and I was immediately rushed to the hospital. So
I'm one of the lucky ones.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Manny, doctor Barnes, how do you how does somebody get meningitis?
First of all, I guess if it's viral or bacterial.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Depends, right, Yeah, it depends.
Speaker 5 (10:08):
And for bacterial meningitis or meninjoccal disease, usually it's spread
by a bacteria through commentine behaviors actually, so kissing, coughing,
sharing drinks, utensils, or living in close quarters.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
What are some of the early symptoms that we should
watch for. John obviously had effects that were so strong
that he was just out and didn't wake up for
eight days. But other than the cold systems that the
symptoms that he mentioned, what are some of the usual
symptoms that we should watch out for.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
So they can have severe headache, they can have high fever,
They can have stiff necks as well as a rash
and sensitivity to light.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
And obviously, as in John's case, this could but this
could develop very quickly and warrant medical attention. Where is
that line, Because most of us might get a headache
or flu like symptoms, We're not going to run to
the doctor, much less the hospital.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (11:08):
So typically if there is a very severe headache, if
there's a sudden, very high fever, those would be reasons
to at least go to your primary care physician to see.
But if you get stiff neck, if you get sensitivity
to light, those are things that I would say go
to the marriage.
Speaker 6 (11:26):
The fever room.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
For John. What were you told after you recovered, after
you came to I guess after a daze about what
you'd been through and the fact that that you managed
to survive it and we're still alive.
Speaker 6 (11:41):
Well, I learned what meningitis was. That was the first
time I'd ever heard of meningitis. Is when I emerged
from the coma for eight days, But it was a
pretty foggy return, Manny. The first thing I saw with
darkness again, I was disoriented by the darkness there was
a two been my nose. I'd lost control of all
(12:02):
my muscles. Speaking was out of the question. I was irritated, exhausted, confused.
I didn't know what was going on, so trying to
explain meningitis to me at that time it was not
going not gonna do anybody a good. But since then,
obviously I've learned quite quite a bit about it. It's
been over twenty eight years, but I've lived with invisible
(12:23):
disabilities since that day. I've lost most of my sight,
I have permanent neurological damage throughout my body, which includes
a bladder that doesn't function normally. So the emotional and
mental toll that it took on me, but really not
just me. It was my parents, my family, and really
(12:43):
the community that had to rally around me to bring
me to where I am today, because we quickly realized
that survival wasn't the end of a journey, it was
just the beginning.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Were all of these long lasting symptoms that you were
facing and still dealing with today so many years later.
Was that because you kind of passed out in your
room and weren't discovered because it wasn't treated quickly, or
is this something that everybody who contracts meningitis is at
risk of.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Well.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
I can only speak in terms of my case. I
don't actually really even know the details of how long
I was unattended and unconscious for my roommates were not
I had roommates and they weren't there. When it's kind
of a long story, and I'm super interested in talking
about and telling it, But for purposes of the time
we have here, whatever happened to me happened between the
(13:37):
time that I took that medicine and went to sleep
and arrived at the hospital. Was diagnosed with menichcackle meningitis
through a spinal tap and then treated with the appropriate
antibotics to stop it. So that I mean I was
treated within twenty four hours for meningitis, but I was
(13:59):
in a medically east coma for my body to eradicate
the disease from my body and then try to bring
me back.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Doctor Barnes, Is there a certain age where kids are
more prone to contract meningitis than others? Is it everywhere
from children to grown ups?
Speaker 5 (14:18):
So anybody can contract meningitis, but the sixteen to twenty
three age range those are particularly at risk from meningitis.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
B Why is that.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
Because of common teene behaviors that they're doing in that
sixteen to twenty three age range. So they're kissing, they're coughing,
they're sharing drinks and utensils, and they're potentially living in
close quarters like college dorms and military.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
There there's a vaccine for meningitis, is there not?
Speaker 5 (14:47):
There are several different vaccinations that protect against the different strains.
There are five, ABC, W, and Y, and so depending
on which strain you're trying to protect against, there are
vaccine nations that protect against them.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
Yet and are these Is this something that a teenage
or somebody they go for their yearly checkup that a pediatrician,
a general practitioner would recommend that they get. Is it
part of the schedule.
Speaker 5 (15:16):
So typically it may be recommended based on the age
and based on the risk factors. But even if it
isn't brought up, I would say that a parent should
bring it up and ask what their teen's risk factors are,
if they've been vaccinated against meningitis, and if they are
vaccinations that they would be able to receive for it.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
And I imagine this is a good time of the
year for a parent to inquire about that in between
school years or before kids go away to college.
Speaker 5 (15:43):
Absolutely, and sports seasons are starting as well, they're on buses.
I mean, it's just so many different factors and so
definitely back to school time is a really good time
to bring this up to your primary care physician or
medical professional to talk about that.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
A couple more minutes here with doctor Aprel Barnes, she's
a pediatrician and John Grimes. He is actually a survivor
of meningitis who has shared some of the life changing
effects contracting the disease had on him. What made you
decide that you wanted to be such an advocate and
speaker for I guess meningitis vaccination.
Speaker 6 (16:22):
As you kind of heard what it did to my life, Manny.
Nobody expects it, including me, and I had never heard
of it. So the more I can do to spread awareness,
to encourage people to have the conversations with their doctors
and their teens doctors, the fewer people and we're hoping
(16:44):
to get to zero that ever have to go through
something like what I'm going through today.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
As you've heard of you were listening to the conversation earlier,
potentially life threatening John almost lost his life. One in
ten people who contract meningitis will die to fight appropriate treatment,
sometimes very quickly within twenty four hours. Doctor Barnes tell
me about this Ask to Be Sure campaign.
Speaker 5 (17:09):
So Ask to Be Sure started in twenty twenty one
just to provide awareness, but also to armed parents with
the information that they needed to ask questions of their
medical professional about meningitis vaccination, risk factors and ways that
they can help protect their teams. So the website is
ask Ask number two letter be Sure as ri dot com,
(17:34):
and on that website it has information about risk factors,
about meningitis itself and about the questions that parents can ask.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
You're a pediatrician in West Columbia, South Carolina. I'm sure
you are well aware of the increase in vaccine hesitancy
because of the pandemic. But we've seen less children getting
their usual scheduled vaccines. What are some of the things
you've had to deal with with trying to reassure parents
(18:02):
who might be hesitant about getting their kids vaccinated for meningitis.
Speaker 5 (18:06):
So I really start with letting the parent know that
we are a team. It's me and the parent share
decision making, me providing information the parent providing the final
say about what they would like to do. I ask
I answer any of the questions that the parents may have,
and really just providing information and just building relationship. I
(18:32):
think a lot of hesitancy comes from people getting different,
different information from a lot of different places, and so
just making sure that you have a good relationship with
your healthcare professional, someone that you can trust and ask
questions and like I said, asked to be sure about meningitis,
vaccination and different things. Just to start the conversation, John.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
You mentioned that when you woke up after eight days
in the hospital, you'd never even heard of meningitis. Do
you think there's enough awareness, enough education about meningitis in
our community, in our country.
Speaker 6 (19:09):
Well, I think there can always be more, and I
think a great example of that is this movie Pretty Hurts,
the Lifetime original. It is a very powerful way of
delivering poignance, awareness and really shining a light on meningitis awareness.
And there's a scene in the movie that is very
(19:29):
emotional for me where the doctor is discussing with the
mother of the patients about menage cockle disease. And it's
these types of stories, the stories that I share, the
stories that other survivors, other family members share that will
get people talking and start the conversations that can help
(19:52):
prevent meningitis. I think this movie is a tremendous way
to do.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
That, Doctor Barnes, the history of meningitis vaccine long and safe.
Speaker 5 (20:01):
We're here to talk about particularly meningitis B. But everything
has risks and benefits, and so that's why it's important
to talk to your teen's doctor about what the particular
risk and benefits are for your particular team and the
best way to move forward.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
I always say, if you can't trust your doctor, who
can you trust? So let's close it out by what
advice you have, specifically as a pediatrician for parents who
might be unsure about their children or whether their kids
should be protected.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
I think the biggest advice I would say is you
know you are your team's major advocate, and you and
your healthcare professional physician are otherwise. You are a team
to help protect your team. So make sure that you
know what meningitis vaccinations your team has already had. Make
sure you know your team's risk factors and if there
(20:53):
are any vaccinations that they would be eligible to receive,
and then make sure you complete the series that you start,
whether for ACWY or for B I.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
Always say knowledge is power. Right. The website ask the
number two, the letter b sure dot com ask to
besure dot com. And the movie is titled Pretty Hurts.
It's on Lifetime coming up Saturday, June twenty eighth at
eight o'clock. Doctor A Prelbarnes, pediatrician in South Carolina, and
(21:24):
John Grimes, an advocate and survivor of meningitis. I thank
you both very much for your time, for sharing your
experience and your knowledge, and John best of luck moving forward.
Speaker 6 (21:35):
Thanks Manny great man.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Hi, it's Robin Rock and joining me today is Parker Jordan,
who is planning on one heck of a bike ride
for a really great reason. So Parker, tell me what
you're doing and what your inspiration is.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Yeah. Absolutely, So it's been about two years in the
works and it's finally here. I'll be riding my bike
from Yorktown, Virginia to San Francisco, California, across the country,
you know, in memory of my my my grandmother, Roseanne
Nagel and support for and graanded cancer research and support
through Project Purple.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
So now when you say bike, are you talking about bicycle.
Are you talking about motorcycle?
Speaker 3 (22:13):
I'm talking about a bicycle. It's I'll be pedaling the
whole way. Wow, it's about sixty five miles a day,
So okay, sixty is my average.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Per day, which means you're looking at a total of
how many by the time you're done.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Should be about four thousand, two hundred miles All said
and done.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
Parker, how long are you giving yourself to get this done?
Do you have a time frame?
Speaker 3 (22:36):
I do have a time frame. I'm it should be
done in about two and a half months. September seventeenth
is my scheduled in date to hit the Golden Gate Bridge.
You know, if you hear from your avid cyclist fans,
I'm not the first person to do this right, and
I might be doing it a little slower than other people.
But we're taking our time, we're enjoying the scenery. Should
we take two and a half months?
Speaker 2 (22:55):
So are you doing this by yourself or do you
have a support team that's coming with you?
Speaker 3 (23:00):
This is gonna be solely self supported. I don't have
anyone coming with me. I couldn't convince anyone to take
two and a half houts two and a half months
off with me. I got a couple of friends that'll
leet me along the path, maybe cycled there or two
with me, but yeah, it's gonna be me.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
So Parker, you're putting your life on pause for two
and a half months to raise money to support the
cancer that took your grandmother's life. So she must have
been pretty special to you.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
She was such a kind, loving, carrying grandmother and a
really integral part to our family. So many summers, so
many times just visiting through the years, camping with cousins
and relatives, planning the garden at each each fall in
summer with her. There's so many integral pieces of support
and love throughout my life, and losing her in May
(23:46):
of twenty twenty three was really hard. Shortly after I
lost her, I heard about these long extra trips that
people planning, and I thought, Hey, that's a marvelous way
to just run away from all this kind of escape
all of this sad, hard feelings better right now. I
wanted to run away from this and losing her, and
I didn't commit to it right away. Did take about
(24:07):
two years. I am finally ready to go do this,
but this time I think it would be irresponsible me
not to do it in honor, in a memory of
her and everything that she gave to our family. Yeah,
this is for her.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
How long did it take for you? Because it sounds
like you're a planner, you would obviously you would have
to be to plan a trip like this. How long
did it take for you to get this all laid
out and to go, Okay, this is what I'm doing
and this is the date I'm starting. How did that happen?
Speaker 3 (24:35):
So? I worked at a piece by piece basically, you know,
every day or so for the last two years. Luckily,
there are some great resources out there to help you
kickstart some of this. Namely, there's an Adventure Cycling Association
of nonprofit that does a lot of the mapping for you.
They got droughts, they got mapped. So I chose some
of their more popular routes and I kind of comprised
(24:56):
the route based on that for myself, and then I
threw in a couple of little fights that I thought
would be interesting also to see along the way I'm
in the area, I might as listening by a couple
of national parks and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Sixty five miles a day. How has your training been.
I mean, how does one train for sixty five miles
a day for two and a half months.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
I don't know what I did. What I did was
I like to work, you know, I try to get
about twenty miles a day. I tried to, you know,
ride every day in a row consistently bids two and
a half months. I think it's going to be more
of a mental challenge than a physical At some point
I'll build shape agally as I go through the through
the country, But truly, I think it's going to be
(25:36):
more of a mental challenge to stay steady on the bike.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
So tell me about the foundation that you're supporting for
your ride? Can you get and your goal?
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Project Purple is the is the Charity Foundation. They are
a nonprofit that supports families and patients in their battle
against pancreatic cancer. So anything from research, to patient support
to outbreak programs. They kind of help fund into those things,
which is the cancer that Rosie passed away from.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
So now, if folks want to follow along on your journey,
because I know I certainly do, tell me tell me
how we do that.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
I'm going to be posting little updates on Instagram, so
you know where I am. You know that I'm still live.
We're still kick if you can find me at Parker
Underscore Jordan Underscore on Instagram to see kind of what
I've been up to day to day. You can also
track me live in the link in my bio on
my Instagram page is a Garman map link that you
can see my live location as I update as I
(26:29):
go through the country, so feel free to check on
where I am and the point of the day there.
And also there you can find the donation page to
Project Purple, where my goal is to raise. Well, my
goal was originally to raise one thousand dollars for I
think the ADIC cancer Support research and I haven't even
left yet, Robin, and I've already surpassed that by the
gros donations for my friends and family. Now now we're
(26:51):
trying for twenty five hundred.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Wow. I love it.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
I know, I know. It brought me to tears and
I hadn't even left yet. It was crazy.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
So that's insane. Okay, So you're carving up right now,
I assume, I hope. So yeah, absolutely, Okay, So you
start this week and you hope to be finished.
Speaker 3 (27:09):
When September seventeenth is my targeted end date, but we'll
see if it's a day earlier, day late, depending on
how fast I'm going.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
And you're going to finish up by the Golden Gate Bridge?
Is that what I heard you says.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Across the Golden Gate Bridge?
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Yes, Oh my gosh. I had a chance to run
half marathon there a couple of years ago and that
is epic. So what what a cool way to finish?
Speaker 3 (27:31):
Very excited? Yeah, are you?
Speaker 2 (27:33):
Are you carrying anything special along with you, kind of
as you know, mementos or motivation.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
I have a little couple of trinkets and people left
me that, you know, hey, we want you to have
this as you go along, a little penned into a little,
small little bottle of something. I'll also be carrying my
grandmother's a pancake recipes because it's a really key way
that I've been looking by, and I hope they share that, Anita.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
So I love that, I love that, I love what
you're doing. And can I just tell you, I just
I'm blown away by just your your commitment and your dedication,
and I love that you're going to help so many
folks who are badly in pancreatic cancer by doing this
Mike ride. So I just I'll be watching and I'll
(28:22):
be cheering you on, and if there's anything we can
do to help you along the way, please let us know.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Okay, thank you so much. It's very nicely here.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
Thank you one more time, Parker. Tell people how they
can follow along on your journey and how they ca
them donate if they want to do that.
Speaker 3 (28:35):
You can find me at Parker Underscore Jordan Underscore on Instagram.
You can also track me live in a link in
my bio. On my Instagram page is a Garman Matt
link you can see my live location and also there
you can find the donation page to Project Purple, where
my goal is to raise twenty five hundred.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Thank you so much for listening always, and thank you
for listening to the Weekly Show. We placed this episode
in all other episodes up on our free hard app.
You can just simply search for the Weekly Show. Thanks again.
We'll see you again next weekend.
Hello, and welcome to the weekly show here on iHeartRadio
on ninety three nine Light FM, one A three five
Kiss FM and Rock ninety five to five. I'm Paulina,
and every week we're here to discuss a variety of
topics that mattered to Chicago Land, from health, education, to
finances and so much more. Today on the show, we're
talking about meningitis with doctor April Barnes, a pediatrician, and
(00:22):
John Grimes, a meningitis survivor, and Robin Rock is chatting
with Parker Jordan. Let's kick off the show.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Hi's Robin Rock and joining me today is Parker Jordan,
who is planning on one heck of a bike ride
for a really great reason. So Parker, tell me what
you're doing and what your inspiration is.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Yeah. Absolutely, So it's been about two years in the
works and it's finally here. I'll be riding my bike
from Yorktown, Virginia to San Francisco, California, across the country,
you know, in memory of my my my grandmother, Roseanne
Nagel and support for ingraded cancer and support through Project Purple.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
So now when you say bike, are you talking about bicycle?
Are you talking about motorcycle.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I'm talking about a bicycle. It's I'll be pedaling the
whole way. Wow, it's about sixty five miles a day,
so okay, sixty is my average.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Per day, which means you're looking at a total of
how many By the time you're done, it.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Should be about four thousand, two hundred miles.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
All set and done, Parker, How long are you giving
yourself to get this done? Do you have a time frame?
Speaker 3 (01:29):
I do have a time frame. I'm it should be
done in about two and a half months. September seventeenth
is my scheduled in date to hit the Golden Gate Bridge.
You know, if you hear from your avid cyclist fans,
I'm not the first person to do this right, and
I might be doing it a little slower than other people.
But we're taking our time, we're enjoying the scenery. Should
we take two and a half months?
Speaker 2 (01:49):
So are you doing this by yourself or do you
have a support team that's coming with you?
Speaker 3 (01:53):
This is going to be solely self supported. I don't
have anyone coming with me. I couldn't convince anyone to
take two and a half two and halfs off with me.
I got a couple of friends that'll leet me along
the path, maybe cycled there or two with me, but yeah,
it's gonna be me.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So Parker, you're putting your life on pause for two
and a half months to raise money to support the
cancer that took your grandmother's life. So she must have
been pretty special to you.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
She was such a kind, loving, carrying grandmother and a
really integral part to our family. So many summers, so
many times just visiting through the years, camping with cousins
and relatives, planning the garden it each each fall in
summer with her. There's so many integral pieces of support
and love throughout my life, and losing her in May
(02:39):
of twenty twenty three was really hard. Shortly after I
lost her, I heard about these long extra trips that
people plan and I thought, Hey, that's a marvelous way
to just run away from all this kind of escape
all of this sad, hard feelings that are right now.
I wanted to run away from this and losing her,
and I didn't commit to it right away. Did take
(03:01):
about two years. I am finally ready to go do this,
but this time I think it would be irresponsible me
not to do it in honor, in a memory of
her and everything that she gave to our family. Yeah,
this is for her.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
How long did it take for you? Because it sounds
like you're a planner, you would obviously you would have
to be to plan a trip like this. How long
did it take for you to get this all laid
out and to go, Okay, this is what I'm doing
and this is the date I'm starting. How did that happen?
Speaker 3 (03:29):
So? I worked at a piece by piece basically, you know,
every day or so for the last two years. Luckily,
there are some great resources out there to help you
kickstart some of this. Namely, there is an Adventure Cycling
Association of nonprofit that does a lot of the mapping
for you. They got routes, they got mapped, So I
chose some of their more popular routes and I kind
(03:49):
of comprised the route based on that for myself, and
then I threw it a couple of little sites that
I thought would be interesting also to see along the way.
I'm in the area, I might as wells sting by
a couple of national parks and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Sixty five miles a day. How has your training been,
I mean, how does one train for sixty five miles
a day for two and a half months.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
I don't know what I did. What I did was
I like to work. You know, I try to get
about twenty miles a day. I tried to, you know,
ride every day in a row consistently. It's two and
a half months. I think it's going to be more
of a mental challenge than a physical At some point
I'll build shape agally as I go through through the country,
(04:28):
But truly, I think it's going to be more of
a mental challenge to stay steady on the bike.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
So tell me about the foundation that you're supporting for
your ride? Can you get and your goal?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Project Purple is the is the Charity Foundation. They are
a nonprofit that supports families and patients in their battle
against pancreatic cancer, So anything from research to patient support
to outbreak programs. They kind of help fund and support
those things, which is the cancer that Rosie passed away from.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
So, now, if folks want to follow along on your journey,
because I know I certainly do, tell me tell me
how we do that.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
I'm going to be posting little updates on Instagram, so
you know where I am. You know that I'm still live.
We're still kick if you can find me at Parker
Underscore Jordan Underscore on Instagram to see kind of what
I've been up to day to day. You can also
track me live in a link in my bio. On
my Instagram page is a Garmin map link that you
can see my live location as I update as I
(05:23):
go through the country, so feel free to check on
where I am and the point of the day there.
And also there you can find the donation page to
Project Purple, where my goal is to raise. Well, my
goal was originally to raise one thousand dollars for I
think the ADIC Cancer Support research and I haven't even
left yet, Robin, and I've already surpassed that by the groups,
the nations for my friends and family. Now we're trying
(05:45):
for twenty five hundred.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Wow, I love it.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
I know, I know. Brought me to tears and I
hadn't even left yet. It was crazy.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
So that's insane. Okay, So you're carving up right now,
I assume, I hope.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
So yeah, absolutely, So you.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Start this week and you hope to be finished.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
When September seventeenth is my targeted end date. But we'll
see if it's a day earlier, day late, depending on
how fast I'm going.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
And you're going to finish up by the Golden Gate Bridge?
Is that what I heard you says.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Across the Golden Gate Bridge?
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Yes, Oh my gosh. I had a chance to run
half marathon there a couple of years ago and that
is epic. So what what a cool way to finish.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I'm very excited. Yeah, are you?
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Are you carrying anything special along with you, kind of
as you know, mementos or motivation.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
I have a little couple of trinkets and people left
me that, you know, hey, we want you to have
this as you go along, a little penned into a
little small little bottle of something. I'll also be carrying
my my grandmother's a pancake recipes because it's a really
key way that I've been looking by, and I hope
they share that with people as I need them they look.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
So I love that, I love that, I love what
you do, and can I just tell you, I just
I'm blown away by just your commitment and your dedication,
and I love that you're going to help so many
folks who are badly in pancreatic cancer. By doing this
bike ride. So I just I'll be watching and I'll
(07:15):
be tearing you on and if there's anything we can
do to help you along the way, please let us know.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Okay, thank you so much. It's very nicely here.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Thank you one more time, Parker. Tell people how they
can follow along on your journey and how they can
donate if they want to do that.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
You can find me at Parker Underscore Jordan Underscore on Instagram.
You can also track me live in a link in
my bio. On my Instagram page is a Garman Matt
link that you can see my live location, and also
there you can find the donation page to Project Purple,
where my goal is to raise twenty five hundred.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
Meningitis You've likely heard the term, but do you know
what it is. Let's discuss it as we bring in
doctor A. Prel Barnes, a pediatrician, and John Grimes, he's
a meningitis survivor. I appreciate you both for joining us.
Thanks so much, great to be here, Marry doctor Barnes.
Let's start off with I guess the simple question explain
exactly what meningitis is and how serious it could be.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
So meningitis is an uncommon but serious bacterial infection that
can lead to long term complications and even depth, sometimes
within twenty four hours. So one in ten of those
that contract meningitis will die even with the proper treatment,
and one in five of the survivors can have long
term complications and that includes brain damage, hearing loss, or
(08:33):
lemb amputation, and so anything that a parent can do
talking to their physician about what vaccinations are available for
their team can help with helping to protect them against meningitis.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
There are different kinds of meningitis as well. Is that right?
Speaker 5 (08:49):
There is there's bacterial, there's viral. Any infectious disease can
cause meningitis, but the bacterial ones are particularly concerned mainly
because even with the proper treatment, you can still die
as well as the long term complications that.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
You can have.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
John, you are not only an advocate and a speaker,
but you're a survivor of meningitis. Explained to me what
happened to you, how you dealt with it, and how
you are now.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
Well. Manny I was nineteen years old as a sophomore
in college, and like I was a typical student, like
most teenagers, felt like I was ten feet tall and bulletproof.
And then I got sick and thought I had like
the flu or something. So I took some medicine and
went to bed and woke up eight days later in
(09:39):
the hospital. Wow, blind, disoriented, and more than just a
little lucky to be alive. Really, it was quite miraculous.
My fraternity brother found me on the floor in my
bedroom and I was immediately rushed to the hospital. So
I'm one of the lucky ones.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Manny, doctor Barnes, how do you how does somebody get meningitis?
First of all, I guess if it's viral or bacterial.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Depends, right, Yeah, it depends.
Speaker 5 (10:08):
And for bacterial meningitis or meninjoccal disease, usually it's spread
by a bacteria through commentine behaviors actually, so kissing, coughing,
sharing drinks, utensils, or living in close quarters.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
What are some of the early symptoms that we should
watch for. John obviously had effects that were so strong
that he was just out and didn't wake up for
eight days. But other than the cold systems that the
symptoms that he mentioned, what are some of the usual
symptoms that we should watch out for.
Speaker 5 (10:41):
So they can have severe headache, they can have high fever,
They can have stiff necks as well as a rash
and sensitivity to light.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
And obviously, as in John's case, this could but this
could develop very quickly and warrant medical attention. Where is
that line, Because most of us might get a headache
or flu like symptoms, We're not going to run to
the doctor, much less the hospital.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (11:08):
So typically if there is a very severe headache, if
there's a sudden, very high fever, those would be reasons
to at least go to your primary care physician to see.
But if you get stiff neck, if you get sensitivity
to light, those are things that I would say go
to the marriage.
Speaker 6 (11:26):
The fever room.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
For John. What were you told after you recovered, after
you came to I guess after a daze about what
you'd been through and the fact that that you managed
to survive it and we're still alive.
Speaker 6 (11:41):
Well, I learned what meningitis was. That was the first
time I'd ever heard of meningitis. Is when I emerged
from the coma for eight days, But it was a
pretty foggy return, Manny. The first thing I saw with
darkness again, I was disoriented by the darkness there was
a two been my nose. I'd lost control of all
(12:02):
my muscles. Speaking was out of the question. I was irritated, exhausted, confused.
I didn't know what was going on, so trying to
explain meningitis to me at that time it was not
going not gonna do anybody a good. But since then,
obviously I've learned quite quite a bit about it. It's
been over twenty eight years, but I've lived with invisible
(12:23):
disabilities since that day. I've lost most of my sight,
I have permanent neurological damage throughout my body, which includes
a bladder that doesn't function normally. So the emotional and
mental toll that it took on me, but really not
just me. It was my parents, my family, and really
(12:43):
the community that had to rally around me to bring
me to where I am today, because we quickly realized
that survival wasn't the end of a journey, it was
just the beginning.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Were all of these long lasting symptoms that you were
facing and still dealing with today so many years later.
Was that because you kind of passed out in your
room and weren't discovered because it wasn't treated quickly, or
is this something that everybody who contracts meningitis is at
risk of.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Well.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
I can only speak in terms of my case. I
don't actually really even know the details of how long
I was unattended and unconscious for my roommates were not
I had roommates and they weren't there. When it's kind
of a long story, and I'm super interested in talking
about and telling it, But for purposes of the time
we have here, whatever happened to me happened between the
(13:37):
time that I took that medicine and went to sleep
and arrived at the hospital. Was diagnosed with menichcackle meningitis
through a spinal tap and then treated with the appropriate
antibotics to stop it. So that I mean I was
treated within twenty four hours for meningitis, but I was
(13:59):
in a medically east coma for my body to eradicate
the disease from my body and then try to bring
me back.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Doctor Barnes, Is there a certain age where kids are
more prone to contract meningitis than others? Is it everywhere
from children to grown ups?
Speaker 5 (14:18):
So anybody can contract meningitis, but the sixteen to twenty
three age range those are particularly at risk from meningitis.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
B Why is that.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
Because of common teene behaviors that they're doing in that
sixteen to twenty three age range. So they're kissing, they're coughing,
they're sharing drinks and utensils, and they're potentially living in
close quarters like college dorms and military.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
There there's a vaccine for meningitis, is there not?
Speaker 5 (14:47):
There are several different vaccinations that protect against the different strains.
There are five, ABC, W, and Y, and so depending
on which strain you're trying to protect against, there are
vaccine nations that protect against them.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
Yet and are these Is this something that a teenage
or somebody they go for their yearly checkup that a pediatrician,
a general practitioner would recommend that they get. Is it
part of the schedule.
Speaker 5 (15:16):
So typically it may be recommended based on the age
and based on the risk factors. But even if it
isn't brought up, I would say that a parent should
bring it up and ask what their teen's risk factors are,
if they've been vaccinated against meningitis, and if they are
vaccinations that they would be able to receive for it.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
And I imagine this is a good time of the
year for a parent to inquire about that in between
school years or before kids go away to college.
Speaker 5 (15:43):
Absolutely, and sports seasons are starting as well, they're on buses.
I mean, it's just so many different factors and so
definitely back to school time is a really good time
to bring this up to your primary care physician or
medical professional to talk about that.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
A couple more minutes here with doctor Aprel Barnes, she's
a pediatrician and John Grimes. He is actually a survivor
of meningitis who has shared some of the life changing
effects contracting the disease had on him. What made you
decide that you wanted to be such an advocate and
speaker for I guess meningitis vaccination.
Speaker 6 (16:22):
As you kind of heard what it did to my life, Manny.
Nobody expects it, including me, and I had never heard
of it. So the more I can do to spread awareness,
to encourage people to have the conversations with their doctors
and their teens doctors, the fewer people and we're hoping
(16:44):
to get to zero that ever have to go through
something like what I'm going through today.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
As you've heard of you were listening to the conversation earlier,
potentially life threatening John almost lost his life. One in
ten people who contract meningitis will die to fight appropriate treatment,
sometimes very quickly within twenty four hours. Doctor Barnes tell
me about this Ask to Be Sure campaign.
Speaker 5 (17:09):
So Ask to Be Sure started in twenty twenty one
just to provide awareness, but also to armed parents with
the information that they needed to ask questions of their
medical professional about meningitis vaccination, risk factors and ways that
they can help protect their teams. So the website is
ask Ask number two letter be Sure as ri dot com,
(17:34):
and on that website it has information about risk factors,
about meningitis itself and about the questions that parents can ask.
Speaker 4 (17:42):
You're a pediatrician in West Columbia, South Carolina. I'm sure
you are well aware of the increase in vaccine hesitancy
because of the pandemic. But we've seen less children getting
their usual scheduled vaccines. What are some of the things
you've had to deal with with trying to reassure parents
(18:02):
who might be hesitant about getting their kids vaccinated for meningitis.
Speaker 5 (18:06):
So I really start with letting the parent know that
we are a team. It's me and the parent share
decision making, me providing information the parent providing the final
say about what they would like to do. I ask
I answer any of the questions that the parents may have,
and really just providing information and just building relationship. I
(18:32):
think a lot of hesitancy comes from people getting different,
different information from a lot of different places, and so
just making sure that you have a good relationship with
your healthcare professional, someone that you can trust and ask
questions and like I said, asked to be sure about meningitis,
vaccination and different things. Just to start the conversation, John.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
You mentioned that when you woke up after eight days
in the hospital, you'd never even heard of meningitis. Do
you think there's enough awareness, enough education about meningitis in
our community, in our country.
Speaker 6 (19:09):
Well, I think there can always be more, and I
think a great example of that is this movie Pretty Hurts,
the Lifetime original. It is a very powerful way of
delivering poignance, awareness and really shining a light on meningitis awareness.
And there's a scene in the movie that is very
(19:29):
emotional for me where the doctor is discussing with the
mother of the patients about menage cockle disease. And it's
these types of stories, the stories that I share, the
stories that other survivors, other family members share that will
get people talking and start the conversations that can help
(19:52):
prevent meningitis. I think this movie is a tremendous way
to do.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
That, Doctor Barnes, the history of meningitis vaccine long and safe.
Speaker 5 (20:01):
We're here to talk about particularly meningitis B. But everything
has risks and benefits, and so that's why it's important
to talk to your teen's doctor about what the particular
risk and benefits are for your particular team and the
best way to move forward.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
I always say, if you can't trust your doctor, who
can you trust? So let's close it out by what
advice you have, specifically as a pediatrician for parents who
might be unsure about their children or whether their kids
should be protected.
Speaker 5 (20:32):
I think the biggest advice I would say is you
know you are your team's major advocate, and you and
your healthcare professional physician are otherwise. You are a team
to help protect your team. So make sure that you
know what meningitis vaccinations your team has already had. Make
sure you know your team's risk factors and if there
(20:53):
are any vaccinations that they would be eligible to receive,
and then make sure you complete the series that you start,
whether for ACWY or for B I.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
Always say knowledge is power. Right. The website ask the
number two, the letter b sure dot com ask to
besure dot com. And the movie is titled Pretty Hurts.
It's on Lifetime coming up Saturday, June twenty eighth at
eight o'clock. Doctor A Prelbarnes, pediatrician in South Carolina, and
(21:24):
John Grimes, an advocate and survivor of meningitis. I thank
you both very much for your time, for sharing your
experience and your knowledge, and John best of luck moving forward.
Speaker 6 (21:35):
Thanks Manny great man.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Hi, it's Robin Rock and joining me today is Parker Jordan,
who is planning on one heck of a bike ride
for a really great reason. So Parker, tell me what
you're doing and what your inspiration is.
Speaker 3 (21:49):
Yeah. Absolutely, So it's been about two years in the
works and it's finally here. I'll be riding my bike
from Yorktown, Virginia to San Francisco, California, across the country,
you know, in memory of my my my grandmother, Roseanne
Nagel and support for and graanded cancer research and support
through Project Purple.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
So now when you say bike, are you talking about bicycle.
Are you talking about motorcycle?
Speaker 3 (22:13):
I'm talking about a bicycle. It's I'll be pedaling the
whole way. Wow, it's about sixty five miles a day,
So okay, sixty is my average.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
Per day, which means you're looking at a total of
how many by the time you're done.
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Should be about four thousand, two hundred miles All said
and done.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
Parker, how long are you giving yourself to get this done?
Do you have a time frame?
Speaker 3 (22:36):
I do have a time frame. I'm it should be
done in about two and a half months. September seventeenth
is my scheduled in date to hit the Golden Gate Bridge.
You know, if you hear from your avid cyclist fans,
I'm not the first person to do this right, and
I might be doing it a little slower than other people.
But we're taking our time, we're enjoying the scenery. Should
we take two and a half months?
Speaker 2 (22:55):
So are you doing this by yourself or do you
have a support team that's coming with you?
Speaker 3 (23:00):
This is gonna be solely self supported. I don't have
anyone coming with me. I couldn't convince anyone to take
two and a half houts two and a half months
off with me. I got a couple of friends that'll
leet me along the path, maybe cycled there or two
with me, but yeah, it's gonna be me.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
So Parker, you're putting your life on pause for two
and a half months to raise money to support the
cancer that took your grandmother's life. So she must have
been pretty special to you.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
She was such a kind, loving, carrying grandmother and a
really integral part to our family. So many summers, so
many times just visiting through the years, camping with cousins
and relatives, planning the garden at each each fall in
summer with her. There's so many integral pieces of support
and love throughout my life, and losing her in May
(23:46):
of twenty twenty three was really hard. Shortly after I
lost her, I heard about these long extra trips that
people planning, and I thought, Hey, that's a marvelous way
to just run away from all this kind of escape
all of this sad, hard feelings better right now. I
wanted to run away from this and losing her, and
I didn't commit to it right away. Did take about
(24:07):
two years. I am finally ready to go do this,
but this time I think it would be irresponsible me
not to do it in honor, in a memory of
her and everything that she gave to our family. Yeah,
this is for her.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
How long did it take for you? Because it sounds
like you're a planner, you would obviously you would have
to be to plan a trip like this. How long
did it take for you to get this all laid
out and to go, Okay, this is what I'm doing
and this is the date I'm starting. How did that happen?
Speaker 3 (24:35):
So? I worked at a piece by piece basically, you know,
every day or so for the last two years. Luckily,
there are some great resources out there to help you
kickstart some of this. Namely, there's an Adventure Cycling Association
of nonprofit that does a lot of the mapping for you.
They got droughts, they got mapped. So I chose some
of their more popular routes and I kind of comprised
(24:56):
the route based on that for myself, and then I
threw in a couple of little fights that I thought
would be interesting also to see along the way I'm
in the area, I might as listening by a couple
of national parks and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Sixty five miles a day. How has your training been.
I mean, how does one train for sixty five miles
a day for two and a half months.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
I don't know what I did. What I did was
I like to work, you know, I try to get
about twenty miles a day. I tried to, you know,
ride every day in a row consistently bids two and
a half months. I think it's going to be more
of a mental challenge than a physical At some point
I'll build shape agally as I go through the through
the country, But truly, I think it's going to be
(25:36):
more of a mental challenge to stay steady on the bike.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
So tell me about the foundation that you're supporting for
your ride? Can you get and your goal?
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Project Purple is the is the Charity Foundation. They are
a nonprofit that supports families and patients in their battle
against pancreatic cancer. So anything from research, to patient support
to outbreak programs. They kind of help fund into those things,
which is the cancer that Rosie passed away from.
Speaker 2 (26:03):
So now, if folks want to follow along on your journey,
because I know I certainly do, tell me tell me
how we do that.
Speaker 3 (26:09):
I'm going to be posting little updates on Instagram, so
you know where I am. You know that I'm still live.
We're still kick if you can find me at Parker
Underscore Jordan Underscore on Instagram to see kind of what
I've been up to day to day. You can also
track me live in the link in my bio on
my Instagram page is a Garman map link that you
can see my live location as I update as I
(26:29):
go through the country, so feel free to check on
where I am and the point of the day there.
And also there you can find the donation page to
Project Purple, where my goal is to raise. Well, my
goal was originally to raise one thousand dollars for I
think the ADIC cancer Support research and I haven't even
left yet, Robin, and I've already surpassed that by the
gros donations for my friends and family. Now now we're
(26:51):
trying for twenty five hundred.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Wow. I love it.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
I know, I know. It brought me to tears and
I hadn't even left yet. It was crazy.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
So that's insane. Okay, So you're carving up right now,
I assume, I hope. So yeah, absolutely, Okay, So you
start this week and you hope to be finished.
Speaker 3 (27:09):
When September seventeenth is my targeted end date, but we'll
see if it's a day earlier, day late, depending on
how fast I'm going.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
And you're going to finish up by the Golden Gate Bridge?
Is that what I heard you says.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Across the Golden Gate Bridge?
Speaker 2 (27:22):
Yes, Oh my gosh. I had a chance to run
half marathon there a couple of years ago and that
is epic. So what what a cool way to finish?
Speaker 3 (27:31):
Very excited? Yeah, are you?
Speaker 2 (27:33):
Are you carrying anything special along with you, kind of
as you know, mementos or motivation.
Speaker 3 (27:40):
I have a little couple of trinkets and people left
me that, you know, hey, we want you to have
this as you go along, a little penned into a little,
small little bottle of something. I'll also be carrying my
grandmother's a pancake recipes because it's a really key way
that I've been looking by, and I hope they share that, Anita.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
So I love that, I love that, I love what
you're doing. And can I just tell you, I just
I'm blown away by just your your commitment and your dedication,
and I love that you're going to help so many
folks who are badly in pancreatic cancer by doing this
Mike ride. So I just I'll be watching and I'll
(28:22):
be cheering you on, and if there's anything we can
do to help you along the way, please let us know.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Okay, thank you so much. It's very nicely here.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
Thank you one more time, Parker. Tell people how they
can follow along on your journey and how they ca
them donate if they want to do that.
Speaker 3 (28:35):
You can find me at Parker Underscore Jordan Underscore on Instagram.
You can also track me live in a link in
my bio. On my Instagram page is a Garman Matt
link you can see my live location and also there
you can find the donation page to Project Purple, where
my goal is to raise twenty five hundred.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Thank you so much for listening always, and thank you
for listening to the Weekly Show. We placed this episode
in all other episodes up on our free hard app.
You can just simply search for the Weekly Show. Thanks again.
We'll see you again next weekend.
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