FLAGSTAFF—Thirteen-year army veteran and cancer survivor Fred Vlchek stopped in Flagstaff yesterday on his way to dip his bicycle tire into the water of the Pacific Ocean at the Oceanside Municipal Pier.

Fred is riding to raise funds for Fred’s Difference, his 501(C)3 non-profit organization committed to increasing awareness and to support/fund treatment of all types of cancer plaguing the world today. The elements of the threefold mission of Fred’s Difference are; fundraising to help cancer patients offset the costs associated with cancer treatments, increasing awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of those affected by cancer, and support community efforts to increase awareness and raise funds for the assistance of cancer patients and their families.

As a six-year testicular cancer survivor, Fred began this pilgrimage on July 26th in Oceanside to raise funds in order to help others struggling in their battle with cancer. The five-week, 3200 mile trek will cover 12-states reaching elevations over 8,000 feet.

The next leg of his journey takes him through Tuba City toward the Navajo township of Kayenta where he is looking for assistance. He will need lodgings overnight to prevent paying a hotel bill which takes away from the effort of the ride. In fact, any lodgings that people can provide along the way will help save money which can be applied toward the foundation. As a Fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, he hopes that he will have assistance from that organization throughout his ride.

You can follow his ride and make donations at his web site: Freds Difference.com.