Residents reunited with Maryland neighbor biking to Oregon

Kathie Jeschke and her family have lived in Cape Girardeau for only two years, and last thing she expected to see on TV was one of her neighbors from Maryland.

But when Jeschke tuned into WSIL Tuesday night, that's what she saw: 21-year-old Stephen Sroka, who had been her next-door neighbor for about a decade.

Sroka, who is biking across America to raise funds in support of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, had stopped in Carbondale, Ill., and the TV station flashed a snippet about his cause for the bike ride on the news.

"The last time I'd seen him was when he was in junior high. And there he was on TV," Kathie Jeschke said. "My daughter, Katie, grew up with Stephen. While she sent an e-mail to sign up to ride along with him I was on the phone with his mom, Nance. The next day he got a ride over here so we'd have a chance to visit. Stephen had no idea he was so close to us."

Sroka, who spends about 90 percent of his time alone on the trip, said, "My most outstanding experience was coming here. Kathie is like my surrogate mom."

"This is what people in small towns experience all the time," Jeschke said. "I don't wear my religion on my sleeve but this reconnection makes me aware of the fact that God does these things for a reason."

An avid cyclist who's been riding a bike his whole life, Stoka said, "I never tried road riding before and the most difficult part is the mental preparation. I'm taking it pedal by pedal, mile by mile. It's challenging to break away from family and friends."

He averages about 60 miles per day, depending on the lay of the land.

Personal reasons

His reason for supporting the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is personal. From 2001 to 2002, Sroka witnessed cancer while it affected a 22-year-old friend who diagnosed with cancer just after losing his brother to the disease.

"There were no support groups for young adults until Doug Ulman and his family established the organization in 1997 after Ulman was diagnosed with cancer," Sroka said. "Support groups exist for children, adults and their parents, but because the incidence of cancer for young adults is pretty uncommon, they just don't exist. My friend found it difficult to go to a group and relate to men in their 50s, the age of the majority of those in attendance at support groups. There was a big generation gap, especially on issues like dating."

Sroka's goal is to ride for as long as it takes to surpass the $100,000 goal. The journey began June 21 in Annapolis, Md., and will conclude in Florence, Ore. The trip is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Catonsville-Sunrise, Black & Decker, Brave New Markets, Gilden Integrated, Princeton Sports and The Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults.

His itinerary has changed. Instead of proceeding along the scenic route, Sroka will visit larger cities in an effort to make his goal a reality. The black valise he carries contains a laptop and business cards -- items many weight-conscious cyclists would not even consider taking on a 4,000 mile journey.

"Sometimes the extra weight is a hassle but knowing they're tools for the cause makes it OK," he said.

Sroka has made presentations to 15 Rotary Clubs promoting the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. When he can't make a meeting he gets in touch with a Rotary Club member, explains his purpose, and often they put him up for the night.

For more information visit www.bikecoasttocoastforcancer.com or e-mail Sroka at stephen@bikecoasttocoastforcancer.com.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133