Background: |
 Bobby McQuin was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic
leukemia in 1987 at the age of 8. After three years of chemotherapy, the cancer recurred
in the central nervous system. More chemotherapy and radiation yielded only a two-year
remission, at the end of which, he relapsed for a second time. The doctors at Children's
National Medical Center then strongly urged a bone marrow transplant. In September of
1993, Bobby had a bone marrow transplant with his then four year old brother Craig, a
perfect HLA match, as the donor. Bobby is now 20 years old, in good health, and a
sophomore at Christendom College in Front Royal, VA, currently majoring in philosophy. He
works on campus to help defray the cost of his tuition. His family, which includes his
parents, Bob and Beth McQuin and siblings Sean 18, Megan, 16, Craig 10, Amy Lynn 8, Todd
5, Shannon 2, and Larisa 30 a foster sister who has been with them for 11 years, resides
in Mt. Airy, Maryland." In appreciation for all that he received in the way of support and services during his years of illness, Bobby has planned and just completed a 3900 mile cross country bicycle trip with his dad, Sean, Megan, and Craig, who rode more than half the distance. Amy, Todd, Shannon, and foster sister Larisa were included part of the way by using cycle trailers and carts on the back of the older kids and Dad's bikes.
The trip is now over, but the battle is not. ONE VOICE FOUNDATION, INC. has been formed to continue the fight against childhood cancer; committed to raising awareness of and funds for childhood cancer research and family support organizations, offering encouragement to children and their families fighting cancer, and remembering those courageous children who have lost their lives in this terrible war. All donations are tax-deductible under Internal Revenue Service code 501(c)3. P.O.BOX 164 MOUNT AIRY, MARYLAND 21771 |
This
ride, entitled "ONE VOICE ACROSS AMERICA: A Ride To Fight Childhood Cancer"
officially started in San Diego on March 15, 1999. Bobby and his family averaged 250 miles
per week for 16 weeks through 12 states, over 7 mountain ranges, through 2 deserts, 3
times zones, an Indian reservation, a missionary ranch, past countless farms and a hundred
dogs, meeting wonderful, caring people, and visiting 22 children's hospitals, 16 Ronald
McDonald Houses, and over 350 of the more than 18,000 children fighting cancer in America
today and ended in Virginia Beach on July 2, 1999. He and his family conducted luminaria
celebrations along the way to honor the courageous kids who are fighting cancer and the
beloved angels who have lost their fight..