“Going the Distance for Cancer Care!” is the motto behind the La Porte Hospital Foundation's Tour De La Porte annual run/walk event. The event began after Larry Noel rode his bike across the United States to help raise money for the American Lung Association in 1999.
Noel said, “My family has been hit hard by cancer; my mother, my father, my brother and my sister have all dealt with cancer. I wanted to do something that would bring money to La Porte to help people that are dealing with cancer.”
Noel said he originally contacted an organization that aids cancer patients nationwide but wanted the proceeds to go directly to people in La Porte. The organization said that with the use of their logo the money raised would benefit people nationally. Noel was focused on helping people directly in La Porte though. He then contacted Maria Fruth, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the La Porte Hospital Foundation.
“With some persuading,” Noel said, “Fruth got behind it.”
The Tour De La Porte has a race for people of all ages and for all sports enthusiasts of varying levels consisting of a cycling event where cyclists can enjoy riding through a select route ranging on courses from 5 - 100 miles through scenic La Porte County. There is also a 5K Chip-Timed Run, a 5K Non-Competitive Walk, a 10K Chip-Timed Run, a Half Marathon Chip-Timed Run and for the little ones, a Mini TDL Fun Run (Children, ages 4-8).
“100% of the proceeds are going to cancer care,” Noel stated. “The first year we had 134 participants and we were able to raise $9000. This year we had over 1,300 participants and raised over $72,000 and still 100% of the proceeds go to cancer care. We help many people in need in La Porte. Just one example is of a woman that needed to go to a chemo treatment, she had a small child and no money for a babysitter, her husband had left her and there was no food in the house. We were able to buy her a gas card, pay for a babysitter so she could go to her treatment and we also bought groceries for her. That is just one example; we can also help cover expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover such as much needed medicine.”
The Tour De La Porte started as a cycling event but has grown to include walking and running events in which more people are able to get involved.
“When you watch people come across the finish line they are crying. When you look at the pictures they have pinned to their bibs you can see they are walking in memory of someone and that’s what it’s about,” Noel stated.
Noel said that this event is unique in its own way too because after the race there is a dinner for the participants. Not just an after race snack, a dinner. There the participants can share their stories with each other over a good meal and talk of how their families and friends have been touched by cancer.
“You connect with people; it might be someone you know,” Noel said.
Noel stated that the Tour De La Porte has surpassed his initial goals by adding, “As long as we can keep this event going and it continues to grow and people can enjoy doing this each year we want to keep it going.”
If you would like to bike, run or walk in support of the Tour De La Porte and support local La Porte families dealing with cancer, the next annual event will be August 24 & 25, 2013. You can sign up on line visit the website at http://tourdelaporte.org/
Truly making a difference for people touched by cancer is Larry Noel. He saw a need and came up with a solution to help La Porte County residents dealing with cancer gain a little hope by founding the Tour De La Porte event with the La Porte Hospital Foundation and that is why Larry Noel is a La Porte County Life in the Spotlight.