Progressive Wednesday

19,500 Miles to Graceland

Often here at Progressive Wednesday we talk about the actions of individuals that make a difference in the lives of others, and usually those people are one of many working as part of a larger community. While that is a noble thing and something that we strongly advocate, but Quinn Baumberger, from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, decided to take a different route. Literally.

When macular degeneration took his grandfather's sight, Quinn decided to take to the road on his bicycle to raise money to help find a cure for the disease. Over nine months ago Quinn hopped on his bike in Deadhorse, Alaska (not the best named city to start a dangerous journey on) and later the week he will hit the brakes for the last time in Terra Del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost point in South America.

So how much did he raise? According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal:

Baumberger is nearing his goal of raising $19,500 for macular degeneration research, $1 for each mile covered.

So Quinn Baumberger rode his bike 19,500 miles through snow, rain, freezing temperatures, oppressive heat, intestinal bugs, fever, a sprained ankle and two robberies to raise money for a disease that has blinded over 10 million Americans. How can you help? Well, get the tires filled and brakes replaced. C'mon we could all use the exercise. No? Well at least check out his website.  Then make a donation to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation and help Quinn make a little progress.

Photo courtesy of Quinn’s website

The one thing Edison didn’t invent.