Fighting Cancer With A Bike And A Rock ‘N’ Roll Heart

Jeff Castelaz is the co-founder of Dangerbird Records home to more than thirty artists including Silversun Pickups, Hot Hot Heat, Minus the Bear, Darker My Love and Fitz & The Tantrums. Jeff Castelaz is also a parent who has lost a child to cancer.

Castelaz battled the disease with his son Pablo and shared their journey through  Pablog! Families all over the world in similar situations  found comfort in Pablo’s updates.  On June 27, 2009 six year old Pablo lost his battle with bilateral Wilms’ Tumor.  The Pablove Foundation was formed to raise funds, awareness and connect those touched by childhood cancer.  This January a children’s album will be released featuring Shirley Manson and a long list of excellent artists to be announced shortly with proceeds benefiting Pablove.

Now it’s time for Castelaz to jump on his bike for the annual Pablove Across America bike tour.  This time around the route runs from Seattle to Los Angeles and you can join in.

Here’s where it all began.

In 2009 Castelaz took off on the inaugeral cross country bike ride to raise awareness now known as Pablove Across America.  The bike ride tracked some 3,100 miles from Florida to Los Angeles with stops at various children’s hospitals and some very familiar faces joined in to help including Lance Armstrong.

Jeff Castelaz and his crew will leave Seattle October 2nd and arrive in Los Angeles October 21st.  If you are cyclist or just want to cheer them on click HERE for all the info on Pablove Across America.

DONATE HERE

I spoke with Jeff Castelaz last week about his new ride and his hopes for the future.  Listen to the conversation here.

If you know of a child with cancer make sure you turn them on to the newly launched Shutterbugs program which teaches children living with cancer to express creativity through photography.  Get more info HERE.