An Oregon man is on a mission to raise awareness to breast cancer by biking across the nation and visiting cancer patients in honor of a late friend.
Brent Bundy, of Portland, is near the end of his sixth Oregon-to-New York cross-country bike trip.
On Thursday, Bundy arrived at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Hospital in Center City, where he plans to meet with patients next week.
This is Bundy’s first time in Philadelphia and the furthest south he’s been on any of his bike trips. Outside of the hospital, his itinerary included a stop for a cheesesteak and posing at the Rocky statue with his bike.
His final destination each year? The Breast Imaging Center at Staten Island University Hospital. On his way to the East Coast on one of his first rides in 2006, Bundy looked up and noticed the treatment center.
"They’re about five blocks away from where I dip my tires in the ocean,” Bundy said.
The 51-year-old rides for one of his best friends, Gina, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2004. He started biking to spread awareness of breast cancer.
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"If Gina got tested, she’d probably still be here today," he said.
Bundy’s bicycle has visited 1,500 cities, towns and boroughs, logging nearly 30,000 miles.
He perseveres through all types of weather to stop and speak with cancer patients and their families in every city he visits. "I feel better," he said. "It was really hard going through (Gina's death). The only time I feel better is when I’m helping other people."
Bundy's goal is for anyone at risk to "just get tested early; your survival rate is like 95% if you catch it early," he said.
You can follow Bundy’s progress on the final leg of his trip on his Twitter account, @BrentLeeBundy1.
