"Pedaling for Prevention" Colorectal surgeon from The Valley Hospital to bicycle from Alaska to Florida to raise funds and awareness for cancer research Most people look to retirement with thoughts of slowing down. Not Valley Hospital's John C. McConnell, M.D. The 62-year-old colorectal surgeon is kicking off his retirement with the most strenuous journey of his life: a 5,500-mile bike ride from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Key West, Florida. The dual purpose of his trip is to spread the message that colorectal cancers are preventable, and to raise money for Valley Hospital’s Daniel and Gloria Blumenthal Cancer Center. According to the American Cancer Society, colon and rectal cancers are the third most common cancers among men and women in this country, not counting skin cancer. In 2008, there will be an estimated 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer. Combined, they will claim about 49,960 American lives this year. "The key thing about colorectal cancer is that it is a preventable disease in all cases," Dr. McConnell explains. "If you are vigilant and careful about your screenings, it's a disease no one has to get." Colorectal cancers develop slowly over many years. Most of these cancers begin as a polyp, or tissue growth, which may or may not become cancerous. Through regular screenings polyps can be found and removed before they have the chance to turn into cancer. "The easiest way to prevent colon cancer is to get a regular colonoscopy," he explains. "It may not be something that you want to do, but it's a quick, easy and safe test that could save your life. It shouldn't be avoided just because of fear." That's the message the doctor will spread as he pedals from Alaska, crossing through Yukon Territory, British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, into North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia before arriving in Florida. His wife, Marjie, will accompany him in a 23-foot Phoenix Cruiser recreation vehicle, complete with air conditioning, a comfortable bed, a bathroom and shower, and kitchen with a refrigerator. "We're not really roughing it," he notes. "It's quite comfortable, really, with all the amenities you'd want in a house. It's small, but complete." He plans to ride for about six hours a day, covering a little more than 100 miles and taking every tenth day off to rest. After he's finished riding for the day, he'll set up a table outside the RV at the campsite and offer literature and advice about colorectal and other types of cancers, as well as genetic testing for cancer. "There are a fairly large number of genetic cancers, so it's important to know your family history," he explains. "With a good medical history, you can identify patients at high risk. A simple blood test can be done to see if you are at high risk." This isn't the first time Dr. McConnell has undertaken such a journey. He took his first cross country bike ride in medical school, when he "was young and foolish," traveling from Boston, Mass., to Miami, Fla. In 2001, he rode 3,400 miles from Los Angeles, Calif., to Boston, in 32 days and, in 2003, he biked 2,900 miles from Los Angeles to Savanna, Ga., in 26 days, raising money for The Daniel and Gloria Blumenthal Cancer Center at Valley Hospital. "I've always enjoyed bike riding and doing strenuous physical activity," he says. "I'm not fast, just durable. I had the desire to ride cross country. I did it once and got bitten by the bug." To prepare for his journey, he gets out on the road as often as his can, biking around north Jersey and New York. On days when he can't get out, he works out on a stationary bike. For his trip, he'll take two bicycles with him, the Serotta road bike he's had since 2001 and a Fuji he picked up last year. You can take the opportunity to donate to The Valley Hospital Foundation Pedaling for Prevention by simply clicking on the "Donate" link to pay by credit card. Or send a check payable to The Valley Hospital Foundation,, with the notation "McConnell bike ride" to: The Valley Hospital Foundation 223 N. Van Dien Avenue Ridgewood, NJ 07450 Funds raised will go to support oncology programs and ongoing research at the Blumenthal Cancer Center.