Bicyclist will raise funds with nationwide ride

POST FALLS – Crystal Backman, 19, plans to hit the road on her bicycle this summer to celebrate her mother’s full recovery from ovarian and breast cancer and to raise money to fight cancer.

The North Idaho College student will participate in the American Lung Association’s Big Ride Across America, which starts in Seattle and ends in Washington, D.C.

The 40 riders hope to raise $250,000, 60 percent of which will pay for summer camps for children with asthma, clean-air legislation, smoking education programs for teens, smoking cessation programs and research into lung diseases, and remedies for allergies and asthma.

The trip combines Backman’s goals to ride her bike across the country and raise money to fight cancer, she said.

She needs to raise $5,500 as her portion of the $250,000.

Backman is working on a degree in elementary education.

She’s competed in a triathlon and a half-marathon and teaches rock-climbing for the YMCA.

Donations for Backman’s participation in the lung cancer association ride can be made by visiting www.alaw.org/big/CrystalBackman.