Maria Parker and Jenny Mulligan. Photo courtesy of 3000milestoacure.com

Maria Parker is fiercely dedicated to two things: her family and her cycling. She has set numerous world records for cycling.

When Parker discovered that her sister, Jenny Mulligan, who is only ten months older than she, was diagnosed with brain cancer, she knew it was time to put her cycling success to use.

Parker set the lofty goal of raising $1 million through cycling in the Race Across America (RAAM) to be donated to Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC2), a company dedicated to finding a cure for brain cancer, a disease who’s diagnosis is currently fatal as there is no cure.

RAAM is a 3,000 mile bike race that crosses 12 states and climbs over 170,000 vertical feet. Cyclists have 12 days to complete the race, but the fastest finish is in eight days.
Mulligan’s son Tim is a student at UNC Charlotte.

“I couldn’t imagine life without her. What if she never met my wife? My kids? What if we never celebrated Christmas together again? The confusion and concern rattled me. Perhaps it was in that moment that my resolve was hardened. If there was anything I could do to stop this awful thing, I would,” Tim says about hearing the news of his mother.

With the help of his brother Charlie, they have started a social media campaign to help find a cure for brain cancer.

Through Facebook, Twitter and 3000milestoacure.com, the Mulligans and Parkers have worked hard to raise awareness for the terrifying disease that is plaguing their loved one.

Parker says that ABC2 is “an organization that is as determined as we to change the future of brain cancer patients as quickly as possible.”

Dan Case, a brain cancer patient himself, launched ABC2. It is a non-profit organization that partners with leading entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers to find a cure for brain cancer as quickly as possible.

The race begins in Oceanside, Calif., and ends in Annapolis, Md. Solo racers generally ride between 250 to 350 miles a day. The race will be held June 2013.

The family has partnered with Chainspirations, a bicycle jewelry company, and Cruzbike, who sells recumbent bikes. Information on how to partner with the family in reaching their fundraising goal can be found on 3000milestoacure.com.

With the help of the community, sponsors and social media, the family hopes to reach Parker’s goal of raising $1 million toward brain cancer research.

More information is available at facebook.com/3k_toacure or on Twitter, @3000toacure