Team Donate Life - Grace Valley

Adam Abildgaard, Age 46

General Contractor

"I am involved in TDL to help spread the word of organ donation and raise money. It is a blessing to do this with a group from our church, Grace Valley Christian Center."

Greg Chapla, Age 42

Collegiate Football Coach and Physical Education Instructor

"The normal reasons; promote organ donation, see America doing something I enjoy, great personal challenge. But, perhaps the biggest reason I decided to get involved was that I would be experiencing this with my fellow "Brothers in the Lord." Our team is made up of Christians who attend Grace Valley Christian Center in Davis, Ca. The one cord that unites us is our belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. I am sure that this challenge will stress each of us mentally and physically, and even stress our relationships at times. However, I believe that through perseverance and prayer we can promote organ donation, glorify our Lord and grow spiritually."

Marc Friedheim, Age 34

Civil Engineer

"My friends were a big factor in getting me excited about doing something this crazy and of this magnitude. A theme in my church which comes from scripture is that by working together a chord of three strands is not quickly broken. In our case it will be a chord of eighteen strands (eight riders and ten crew)."

Steve Jackura, Age 38

Dept. of Corrections, Correctional Counselor

"I'm filled with great excitement for the sport of cycling. However, for me to justify committing so much time to an event has to be more than just about riding a bike or even competing in a race. What makes it worth it is the cause; promoting awareness of the benefits and need for organ transplantation as well as transplant research. A friend who attends my church was sick due to a failing organ. Another member of our church graciously donated her organ to him this year. That act of kindness opened my eyes to the importance of organ donation. When I consider that my participation in Team Donate Life will help a cause that saves lives, it makes the sacrifices worth it."

Ron Lewis, Age 51

Hazardous Substances Engineer

I go to the same church and enjoy riding with one of the founders of Team Donate Life. In addition, one of my wife’s college roommates has been a kidney donor and one of my son’s college roommates has been a kidney recipient. Finally, organ donation is amazing because it can give sight to the blind, heal the sick, and, in essence, bring the dead back to life. It reminds me of the God I serve!

Dwight Morejohn, Age 54

Medical Device Engineer

"Numerous threads cross here: My love of cycling, my involvement in the medical world, my long-time friendship with Dr. Ric Perez, transplant surgeon on this team, the opportunity to see this great country from a bicycle along with grateful transplant recipients and donors in our crew (the real TDL heroes) and to be given the opportunity to help raise the awareness of ways that regular folks can donate life to hurting people by becoming involved in this important and timely cause, even as simply signing up to donate organs when they die. Most significant for me is to be able to be a part of a Christian team (all from our church, Grace Valley Christian Center) where we have each received the greatest gift of life from the One who made the greatest 'donation' of all."

Justin Morejohn, Age 25

Emergency Medical Technician

"My original connection with the team is through Dr. Richard Perez, who is a long-time family friend. Then, last year, my dad rode the RAAM with an 8-man Team Donate Life. Just recently a friend of mine donated a kidney to another friend; this really showed me up close and personal the importance of organ donation."

Rick Neptune, Age 41

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

"I whole-heartedly support the vision of Team Donate Life, which is to bring awareness of the need for organ donation while raising funds toward continued transplant research. Also, the opportunity to participate in RAAM with a group of dear Christian friends is an opportunity of a lifetime!"