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Many motorists have waited more than a decade for the Legacy Parkway to open in Davis County. In fewer than 10 days it opens first with a fundraiser Saturday morning Sept. 13.
Long and straight, flat and smooth, and no cars -- Legacy Parkway is nearly finished but empty, a cyclist's dream ride.
In 10 days Travis and Brad Hess and other cyclists and runners will get one chance to pedal down the middle of Legacy Parkway.
Brad Hess, vice president of the Hess Cancer Foundation, said, "I've driven by it a hundred times and wished that it was done. Now it's done! Come out and ride on it."
Riders and runners who register for the Hess Cancer Foundation Legacy Tour will race to raise money for Utah families whose children have lost the battle to cancer.
"It's done nothing but encourage me and give me hope. It's shown me how I can make a difference," Brad said.
The foundation's primary purpose is to help families who have lost a child to cancer and cannot afford the funeral. Travis Hess lost a brother and a young daughter to cancer. That was a struggle but an eye-opener, too.
"Someone donated $1,000 to our family anonymously to help us with her funeral. I was very touched by it and thought I need to carry it forward," Brad said.
In recent years, the foundation has grown. "There's not a lot of overhead. There's not money going into someone's pocket. The money goes to help the family in need," Brad says.
Another idea behind the Hess Cancer Foundation Legacy Tour is that it simply gets people out for fitness. Travis Hess said, "I really believe that staying fit and healthy, and eating right, and exercising three or four times a week will do wonders in helping you fight cancer."
The Legacy Parkway will make a big impact on traveling the Wasatch Front. And these riders hope this one-of-a-kind fundraiser helps the Hess Cancer Foundation create a legacy of its own, making a difference for families that really need the help.
The registration deadline is Sept. 11, one week from tomorrow.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
