Story last updated at 1:04 a.m. Monday, October 17, 2005
Idalou bike ride to raise funds for toddler's liver transplant
BY BETH AARON
FOR THE AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
One look into 18-month-old Canon Perkins' piercing blue eyes, and it is understood why so many have been working for three months to organize Tour de Canon, a bike ride aimed at raising $350,000 for a liver transplant needed to save Canon's life.
Tour de Canon, sponsored by Caprock Multi-Sport Club, will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. at the County Clubhouse in Idalou, according to an e-mail written by Melanie Partlow, Canon's aunt.
There are four different races available: 10 mile, 20 mile, 40 mile and a 130k, Partlow said.
"Cycling seems to be a pretty big pastime," Partlow said. "We thought that it would be a pretty good fundraiser."
Canon suffers from a rare liver disease called Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV, Partlow said. The disease causes cirrhosis of the liver and death in early childhood unless a liver transplant is performed, according to Partlow's e-mail.
Canon is on a transplant list, Partlow said, and his family expects to receive a phone call regarding his status between November and December.
Drew and Chandra Perkins, Canon's parents, said the outpouring of support from the Lubbock community has been overwhelming.
Drew Perkins, originally from Abilene and now living in Amarillo, said he and his wife are incredibly grateful to Lubbock residents.
"The response has just been unbelievable," he said. "On a larger scale, any money that Canon doesn't require will stay in the Children's Organ Donation Association fund and will go to children in similar situations."
Approximately 10 to 12 people have registered for Tour de Canon, Partlow said, and more have committed verbally.
Tour de Canon organizers have planned for 300 riders, Partlow said, but expect about 100 cyclists to participate.
"We'll definitely take more than that, too," she said.
Those who wish to contribute to Canon's cause do not have to ride to make a difference, Partlow said. Sponsors are needed to back cyclists, and raffle tickets are on sale for $5.
All participants in the race will be required to collect a minimum of $100 in pledges, Partlow said.
Prizes include two packages of Southwest Airlines round-trip tickets, a $250 gift certificate from Broadway Bikes, an autographed Cotton Kings jersey and a Lady Raiders autographed basketball.
However, the ultimate prize that can come from the event is indescribable, Partlow said.
"I don't know if I could even put into words what this means to me," she said.
The response from the West Texas community has been positive, Partlow said. She and her family encourage any interested parties to participate in Tour de Canon.
"I wish I could express how precious he is," she said. "I just want to encourage people to go on (Canon's Web site) and read about his story."
Canon and his parents will be at the race to cheer on cyclists, Chandra Perkins said.
"It's exciting to me to think about the future and when Canon grows up to be able to tell him about all the people in West Texas who couldn't wait to help," she said. "It will be a really neat story for him and his family."
For more information about Canon Perkins or to donate to his cause, visit www.canon.webhop.org.
click here for the Original Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Article
© Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Reprinted by permission.
Return to Canon's Home Page