05/12/2026
From NCNO member John Stinson:
Bikers for Sick Kids
As we all have heard, there are two kinds of bikers - thems that have crashed and thems that will. It’s of some comfort to know that if we do hit that gravel patch/oil slick/deer/texting idiot driver in the US, God forbid, we very likely will be quickly evaluated and treated by a competent team in a modern facility using up-to-date technology. As aggravating as US healthcare can be at times, we are very fortunate in comparison to most of the world, where one physician or midwife may cover more than a thousand square miles and tens of thousands of people.
Like Operation Smile, Doctors without Borders and other groups, The Paul Chester Children's Hope Foundation provides vital assistance to improve the health of children and their families in developing countries. For 25 years PCCHF has provided the potential for long-term benefit, by providing treatment for children where medical services are mostly unavailable. Treatments we take for granted in the US are unobtainable in large parts of the globe. Repair of a clubfoot or unstable hip in an infant or toddler can prevent a lifetime of disability, unemployment and poverty. A week’s treatment with antibiotics can cure a child of the burden of chronic parasite infection. A fifteen-minute pediatric congenital cataract correction can reverse years of impaired vision.
The Foundation harnesses the expertise of medical professionals and volunteers to identify opportunities for maximum social impact in the developing world. PCCHF sponsors, supplies and supports medical teams worldwide, collaborating with local counterparts. Missions since 2004 have included Ecuador, Morocco, Suriname, Ghana, Kenya and others. PCCHF is currently working with four countries: Ukraine, Morocco, Kenya and Honduras.
These missions are self-funded, donations supporting teams worldwide and the purchase of supplies and transportation. For new fundraising, we have been looking into starting up a group ride like the biannual self-guided Slimey Crud Run in Wisconsin. Look it up. This is a 30-50 mile thrash with origins as murky as Stonehenge, going back to the early 70s. There are no prescribed routes, just hotel/bar destinations. With no big ad campaigns, media promotion or corporate sponsors Slimey Crud has nonetheless grown into what looks like a huge vintage and classic rolling bike show.
We are hoping to get an event like Slimey Crud off the ground. We are looking to peel off from Poolesville Bikes & Breakfast around 11 on Sunday June 7, ride on some very nice local roads for an hour or so, then finish at an outdoor streamside picnic at the founder’s place at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain.
We recognize that here in the DMV there’s a lot of competition for precious riding time. Nonetheless, we hope that some of you and your buddies may see fit to join us on June 7 and support kids in need. Also, there are many roles for these missions. Volunteers are always welcome.
