Two locals bicycle from New Orleans to Chicago

Cory and Brittany Ross of Sikeston will be two of eleven bicyclists to ride from New Orleans to Chicago beginning July 6th and will ride through Sikeston Wednesday July 10th. The 5th annual Biking for Babies ride consists of almost 1,100 miles to be completed in eight days. Biking for Babies is a national initiative that exists to promote the dignity of all life, from conception to natural death, and to share the joy of living by cycling and campaigning for pregnancy centers across the country. A pregnancy resource center benefiting from the ride is Birthright of Cape Girardeau which offers free pregnancy tests, mentoring, counseling, ongoing confidential support, clothes, and referrals such as maternity homes, adoption agencies, and doctors.

Each year, Biking for Babies rides to raise financial and spiritual support for pregnancy centers and other pro-life work. The bikers will stay with host parishes and families along the way, while sharing how they have been affected by the pro-life story. Five years ago, two University of Illinois students, Mike Schaefer and Jimmy Becker, decided to get on their bikes and ride from SIU Carbondale to Chicago, a distance of over 600 miles to raise money and awareness of pro-life activities. Each year, the annual ride has increased in length and riders; this year, riders from Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Florida will be making the 1,100 mile journey. Read the profiles of all 11 riders at www.BikingForBabies.com.

As this group of riders has grown, so have their fundraising goals. The first year the two co-founders, Mike and Jimmy, were able to raise over $13,000 and in 2012 the ride raised over $32,000. This year, the team of riders hopes to raise $50,000.

Videos, the receiving charities, the riders, and how to donate, can be found via the ride's website: www.BikingForBabies.com and on Facebook at "Biking for Babies." Welcome the riders to Sikeston and join them for mass at St. Francis Xavier Church located at 245 W Front Street on Wednesday, July 10th at 6:15PM.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Schaefer at Biking for Babies

mike@bikingforbabies.com

(618) 960-5457

Visit us on the web at: www.BikingForBabies.com