An epic bike ride from Malin Head to the Cliffs of Moher begins today as a group of cyclists pedal their way for Amyloidosis research.
The six-day fundraising challenge will cover 600km through Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare.
The aim: to raise both awareness and funding for research into Amyloidosis – a rare disease in which early detection and intervention often proves life-saving. The condition is sometimes referred to as ‘Donegal Amy’ due to the prevalence of a particular gene in people along a 15 mile stretch of coastline between Carrigart and Burtonport.
The significance of Hereditary Amyloidosis will see cyclists departing from Inishowen and passing through Gweedore and Bundoran in Donegal.
Xavier’s Legacy (the charity organising the cycle) are no strangers to such a feat. They cycled over 500 km across British Columbia in 2022, and from Glasgow to Nottingham (another 500+km) in 2021. In sum, they’ve raised over £20,000 to date and pumped it into scientific research trying to find out more about this disease.
Xavier’s Legacy was founded by Aja Aguirre, in the hours following her brother’s (Xavier) untimely death at the age of 30. He had been diagnosed with the disease just a few weeks before his death, his symptoms having only recently brought him into medical care in his hometown of Burnaby.
Looking back on photos of Xavier after his passing, the family noted telltale signs. The puffed up complexion, the purple/black marks under the eyes (which could easily be mistaken for a lack of sleep). None of these things were evidence enough of a major problem. However, in the months leading up to his death, Xavier complained of feeling full all the time (bloated even), and was unable to use the toilet due to an inability to expel fluid.
As undignifying as it became for Xavier, the memory of his preceding years far outweigh those last few months. It would be impossible to forget who he was, and what he was. Xavier was by all accounts a fun-loving scruffy-bearded, curly-haired young man with an infectious (and often incredibly high-pitched) laugh.
Ahead of this week’s trip, artist Phil Dakin presented the official 2023 Journey For X artwork to Xavier’s father Tony, sister Aja, and aunty Sherry.
Each year so far, the annual “Journey for X” cycle has taken place in a place of significance to Xavier and his family. 2021’s cycle went from his grandparents hometown of Glasgow to his sister’s current hometown of Nottingham, whilst last year’s cycle was in his own backyard of British Columbia.
This year, the ride pays homage to Xavier’s Irish roots (in Enniskillen and Connemara), and will be looking to raise plenty of awareness and funds for research and resources for Amyloidosis patients in Ireland.
To donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/journey?utm_term=BDyEg3v7E
