Wheels for the World

Doug Did It!

Laurie Kelley October 8, 2023

My boyfriend Doug is such a go-getter, such a team player, that I would always tell people, You want something done? Doug’ll do it. And I volunteered him for various tasks at Save One Life, which he cheerfully accepted and did. One year I even made magnets and lapel buttons for the Save One Life team that read “Doug’ll Do It!” as a joke.

It’s no joke now. Doug did it! He cycled 3,784 miles coast to coast—from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine, arriving Thursday, October 5 on a grey and windy day in Maine, to dip his wheel in the Atlantic Ocean. It was an incredible feat, for someone who is 66, and only took up riding nine years ago, when he first met me. Combined, his efforts and those of our community around the country who participated in the Wheels for the World campaign, raised over $230,000 to support the mission of Save One Life, the nonprofit I founded 21 years ago. It was our biggest fundraiser ever.

Doug is inspired by Save One Life’s mission, to give direct financial support and medicine to those with bleeding disorders in developing countries. Save One Life assists over 1,200 people who live in poverty, in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Kenya and ten other countries. It offers direct sponsorship, college scholarships, microenterprise grants, camp support and millions of dollars worth of blood-clotting medicine.

But Doug was also inspired by an incredible individual: the late Barry Haarde.

Barry was an avid cyclist with hemophilia who completed six—six!—long distance tours over six years to raise money for Save One Life. From coast to coast, with his final one dubbed “Call of the Wild” from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Anchorage, Alaska. His tours totaled over 20,000 miles and raised over $230,000 for Save One Life!

What was remarkable about his achievement was that Barry had hemophilia, HIV and a contracted knee joint… health issues that would stop most people from considering this audacious ride. But Barry was not most people…he was driven by memories of the brother and brother-in-law he lost to hemophilia and HIV, and all the friends in the community lost to HIV. In addition, he knew firsthand the pain suffered by those in developing countries who often lack access to blood-clotting medicine.

Doug met Barry twice, and both learned that they loved cycling, both worked at Hewlett Packard, and both admired the work of Save One Life. Doug was in awe of Barry. Barry passed away in 2018, and no one since has dared to fill his cycling shoes. But Doug’ll do it! And he did. I’m so proud of Doug: the time he invested in training all year, the time spent away from me and home, his dedication and discipline, and his accomplishment.

Thanks to all who donated to this cause, thanks to our major sponsors, Sanofi and CVS, and for all the prayers. Through the Rockies, the cornfields, the highways and hills, he was safe and is now home. And Save One Life continues on, to help the needy.

Yesterday was a celebration of his accomplishment and a surprise announcement! We have a new volunteer for next year! James’ll do it! James is from Texas and was a friend of Barry’s. So the torch has been passed and we wish James much success in 2024!

Back in the Saddle Again

Laurie Kelley August 14, 2022

It was a beautiful, crisp summer day on the North Shore of Boston to get back in the saddle again—the bike saddle! Part 2 of Wheels for the World today showcased a thrilling mountain bike ride through Willowdale State Park in historic Ipswich, Massachusetts: historic for hemophilia, for it was here in the 1600s that the first family in the New World with hemophilia was discovered. The Appleton family farm, owned by Oliver Appleton, was just down the road from the entrance to the state park, where we would ride for two hours, through fields, dodging trees, skidding over gnarly roots, and bumping over rocks.

Well, some of us did. We had a small group of about 10 riders, including me and Doug. Also present were: Chris Bombardier, Save One Life’s executive director; AG, mom of a child with hemophilia; Justin, a person with hemophilia who came all the way from Florida to ride! Rich Vogel, long-time friend and community member, from New Jersey; and more! Our goal was to ride, have fun, honor Barry Haarde’s legacy, and raise money for Save One Life.

Oh, and complete a nine-mile route through some really exciting and wild woods! Problem for us was that I have not been on a bike in 18 months, and have not mountain-biked in about 5 years. Doug has only ever been once! I bought him a new bike for his birthday this past January, but turns out it was a hybrid and not a real mountain bike. He and I suffered through about 2 miles before bailing. And I had one crash when I couldn’t stay on the trail after bolting over some rocks and came crashing down a hillside. Luckily, no one was around to see that, only the bruises and scrapes told the story. Justin had a better story: he broke his bike, but kept on riding with no seat!

The group had a great time, and it was wonderful to be with our community members again. After the ride, we gathered at the True North Brewery, where we stayed for a few hours, swapping stories of raising a child with hemophilia, thoughts about new treatments, joint pains and back aches!

Hemophilia has brought together so many great people, all focused on a great cause: helping children with hemophilia in poverty in developing countries. Getting back in the saddle, even with a few mishaps, was worth it all.

There’s still time, until October 1, to participate in Wheels for the World! Go to the Save One Life website to learn more. Get back in the saddle!

We Ride to Remember

Laurie Kelley August 1, 2022

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.” — Laurence Binyon, British Poet

Wheels for the World in Providence, Rhode Island

They rode in the bright sunshine and heavy heat in Providence, Rhode Island, to remember a special person in the hemophilia community, Barry Haarde, and to raise funds and awareness for those with bleeding disorders in developing countries, who still suffer from untreated bleeding. It was Save One Life’s second annual Wheels for the World in conjunction with New England Hemophilia Association. About 25 riders gathered—one family from Pennsylvania!— to share the joy of riding, and gratitude for having treatment in the US to stop bleeding.

For me it was only my second hemophilia event in over two years to attend! I had just returned from Kilimanjaro, so decided to sit this one out and attend as a volunteer—though there was little to do! The team from NEHA and Save One Life had it all under control.

A special guest was Emily “Weez” Cobb, Barry’s sister, who attended with her husband Billy, to say some words about Barry, and what this ride meant to her. Barry, as most people in the community know, was a person with hemophilia A and HIV, who also had a permanently contracted knee. He created the idea to ride his bicycle across the US to raise awareness for those affected by hemophilia and lack of treatment in developing countries. He also did it to honor the fallen: those with hemophilia who were killed by HIV, from infected blood products and treatment in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Barry would eventually ride six times across the US over six years, raising more than $250,000 for Save One Life.

Sadly, he took his own life in February 2018, which stunned the country. He had overcome hemophilia, HIV and hepatitis C, but not mental health issues. He was beloved by the community, and Wheels for the World honors his character and commitment.

Weez reminded us all how much Barry wanted to show the younger generation what was possible, despite hemophilia and all its complications. She also said how important it is to remember those who are no longer with us. Wheels for the World keeps memories of Barry alive, and continues his cause, for which she and her family are grateful. Weez has known much loss: her two brothers and mother all died within a few years of one another; her 17-year-old daughter Patty died in a car crash; and her first husband died also of HIV, as he also had hemophilia.

Remember those who are gone “helps with the grieving process,” she said. And no matter how many years go by, people still grieve.

This year marks the 10^th Anniversary of Barry’s first ride: over 3,000 miles from coast to coast.

At the end of this ride, which was about 28 miles, Save One Life and NEHA provided food and drink at the Narragansett Pub, where we had some surprise news for everyone, especially the Cobb family: my boyfriend, Doug Mildram, has volunteered to re-create Barry’s first ride, from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine, in 2023. Seven weeks of riding, at 100 miles per day. Not many people could accept this challenge, but Doug has been training all his life. Doug had met Barry, and they discovered they both worked at Hewlett Packard, and both love cycling. Barry inspired Doug, as he inspired me, and inspired everyone he met.

We hope our community will welcome Doug along the route from coast to coast with open arms as they did Barry, who we will honor with this ride, and to continue to raise funds for families in poverty overseas.

Thank you NEHA and Save One Life for an outstanding event! Thanks to Weez and Billy for flying up to join us—see you next year, when Doug comes riding into Portland, Maine, to celebrate another Wheels for the World, and to remember our beloved Barry.

Risks and Rewards

Laurie Kelley May 19, 2014

I love taking risks. Getting that adrenaline going; seeing how far I can push myself. There’s a great quote and I don’t know who said it: We don’t know who we are until we see what we can do. From going to graduate school on my own, to skydiving, to cooking (seriously), I love taking risks.

Today I went bungee jumping for the first time ever, in Queenstown, New Zealand, following the WFH Congress in Australia, because I’ve already done the skydiving thing many times, and then there was that gorilla in Rwanda last month…

So 439 feet over a canyon I leaped into the air, executing a perfect swan dive into nothingness, and enjoyed the air pushing against my face, roaring in my ears, the earth rushing up to greet me… then boing! I am gently pulled back from the earth and tossed upward, the way a seal might toss up a fish to swallow; down again slower, then back up again, hanging upside down. I yank a cord attached to my feet and instantly I am upright, and the guys switch on the wench that will haul me up to the platform.

I loved that first jump so much, I did another one right afterward. The guys on the platform loved that. Everyone else had left. Risk? Some, I guess. Reward? Bragging rights, and a massive, pulsating adrenaline rush that you can’t get too many places on earth.

Well, I’m not the only one in the community who loves risk. Barry Haarde just finished on Saturday his third coast to coast ride, on a bike, racking up about one hundred miles a day. A day. A day! I did 100+ miles on a bike last September in one day and it just about killed me. Despite having hemophilia, HIV and a knee contracture, Barry is a human machine. I can’t imagine what his physicians must think of him. He must shame them; you can’t get fitter than he is, I suspect.

Barry Haarde: Legend, risk taker, reward giver!

There are lots of risks for Barry on the ride: physical problems like bleeds, injuries, illness. Logistical ones like accidents, bike problems. And psychological: what if he didn’t finish? Oh, the humiliation! But he did finish. He always finishes.

His reward? He goes down in history. He’s a celebrity. He’s a cool, righteous dude. He’s a role model for thousands of young people with hemophilia and a few older ones who have hemophilia and/or joint damage. Heck, he’s my role model. Dreams can come true. You’re never too old. Never quit. Think of all the cliches… they’re true!

And Barry posted on Facebook each day, as on previous rides, photos of those who died from contaminated blood, injected through their clotting factor. Intangible rewards: people who will never be forgotten, thanks to Barry. This included his own brother John.

And… tangible rewards for hundreds who will never know Barry, and never even know what he did. Barry raised over $45,000 for Save One Life (http://www.saveonelife.net), the nonprofit I founded to help kids with hemophilia in developing countries. For these kids, each day is a risk. They may not make it to the next without clotting factor. We’re here to help them get through childhood, because each child matters.

Barry writes on Facebook:

“Wheels for the World III” is now complete and our fundraising goal was met! We wish to thank all those who made our ride a success, who include (but are not limited to) our corporate sponsors, Baxter, Bayer, Alliance and Matrix Pharmacies, King BioMed, Colburn-Keenan, our many grass roots donors, America By Bicycle’s fabulous staff, my managers at HP for arranging the time off to complete the ride, and especially, Ken Baxter, for the countless hours spent on photo/video editing, phoning media outlets, and travelling all the way down to L.A. to document my departure. Thank you all and see you next year!!

Next year? Oh my gosh, that means he’s going to do it again! I also need to find a risky venture. Bungee jumping was a 30 second adventure while Barry’s was one month! Maybe I will ride with Barry. That would be the greatest reward.

Thank you, Barry! From the bottom of my heart, which at one point was deep in a canyon today.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/05/prweb11818820.htm
http://www.wsav.com/story/25539876/physical-challenges-dont-stop-man-from-incredible-bike-trip

Fast and Furious!

Laurie Kelley April 29, 2013

Barry the Biker is at it again…. riding clear across America to raise money for and public awareness of hemophilia!

Barry Haarde is a 47-year-old with the stamina and ambition of a 20-year-old athlete and the soul of an ancient sage. He also has hemophilia and HIV, and lost a brother with hemophilia to AIDS. He conceived the idea to ride across America two years ago, and completed one trans-American trip last summer, covering over 3,600 miles in 7 weeks. You can read about that exciting journey in a previous blog.

Last year, Barry became the first person with hemophilia/HIV to complete a trans-American bike trip.

This year, he does it again, but in only 30 days! Starting from Costa Mesa, California, Barry will ride an average of 110 miles a day, through the southwest and plains, to arrive after 3,456 miles in Amesbury, Massachusetts on May 23. This is also the day of our annual Spring Gala for Save One Life, the beneficiary of Barry’s fundraising. Barry plans to attend, as soon as he hops off his carbon-framed steed.

Each day of his trip, as he did last year, Barry devotes to someone with hemophilia who died of HIV. He posts daily on Facebook. If you are friends with Barry on Facebook, you will be reminded of each beautiful man who died. What a tribute! Does anyone anymore put this kind of thoughtfulness into action?

Last year Barry raised about $50,000 for Save One Life, the child sponsorship program for children with hemophilia in developing countries that I founded. This year he hopes to raise $35,000. Please consider sponsoring Barry in any amount. Thanks to Baxter Healthcare, our Gold sponsor!

Great Book I Just Read

Freddie Mercury: The Definitive Biography by Lesley-Ann Jones

I’m on a Queen kick since I witnesses the amazing performance of Gary Mullen and the Works as the Queen tribute band a few weeks ago. I always liked Queen but now love them and appreciate them even more. This is an in-depth look at one of Rock’s most intriguing and talented front men, Freddie Mercury, who is often cited as the greatest vocalist in Rock history. Certainly no one could match his range. This book is a great first look into his life, from a childhood on Zanzibar (I actually saw the house there he grew up in) to his life at boarding school, the roots of his neediness for praise and adoration, the strange duality of his nature–and not just his bisexuality. He was complex, talented and self-destructive. And a showman all the way. His personal charisma, charm and intelligence are clear. This is also about Queen, probably one of the most educated of all Rock bands. Life on the road, Freddie’s affect on the band, how they grew in influence and hit the heights. Those of you who watched Live Aid will recall how Queen stole the show. Their live music far surpasses their recorded. Freddie adored opera and even produced “Barcelona,” an album with his favorite opera diva. You’ll learn about the history of the band, and Freddie’s sad demise to AIDS in 1991. Great read. Four/five stars (but then I am biased)