Community Corner
Malvern Motorcyclist Traveling Country For Pediatric Cancer
Malvern resident Jack Broomall has exceeded his $5,000 goal in his five-week journey.
Malvern resident and motorcycle enthusiast Jack Broomall embarked is wrapping up a five-week solo motorcycle journey across the United States. His mission? Visit all four corners of the country, and raise $5,000 for the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. As of May 12, he had surpassed $6,000 in donations.
Broomall is keeping supporters updated via his blog, 2 Wheels 4 Kids, and Twitter.
His journey from Malvern began Tuesday, April 24, in what most people would consider less than optimal weather. A few mornings later, he tweeted:
Find out what's happening in Malvernwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Raining. 45 degrees. My favorite kind of weather for a long ride from ME to PA today. Good times in support [of] @austinhatcherfo
From Malvern, he traveled north to Madawaska, ME, and began a journey south to hit Key West, FL, by May 1. The trip will culminate with a stop May 19 in Chattanooga, TN, home of the Austin Hatcher Foundation and a big sponsor, Pandora's European Motorsports.
Find out what's happening in Malvernwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
His return to Malvern around May 22 will have considerably less fanfare.
"I'll just probably come home to my wife, the cat and an overgrown lawn," Broomall said in an email.
A visit with his heros
On April 25, Broomall visited with some kids from the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland, ME. He wrote on his blog:
Rode a bit over 200 miles today, from Lawrence, Massachusetts up to Bangor, Maine. But that's not the real story of today. Today's story is all about my new friends Meredith and Noah, the two Izzys, Duncan, Fin, and the others. These are all hospitalized kids at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland, Maine. I had the opportunity to visit with them for just a couple of hours today but it was about the most amazing two hours ever.
We looked at pictures and I told the story of my ride. I signed some autograph cards for them had them sign my Austin Hatcher Foundation T-Shirt for me because they are MY heros! There were some games and just general silliness and the chance to simply be a kid again if even for a short time.
It was a powerful and humbling experience that I will not soon forget and I get to do the same thing several more times during my trip. Today reminded me in very personal terms why I am doing this trip and working so hard to raise funds. Thanks you Austin Hatcher Foundation and the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at the Maine Medical Center for this fantastic experience.
Supporters can donate to the foundation online or by texting the word "wheels" to 501501—a $10 donation will be added to the cell phone bill. Donations by check can be made to The Austin Hatcher Foundation, 6739 Ringgold Road, Suite G, Chattanooga, TN 37412.
To read more about Broomall's journey, visit his blog, 2 Wheels 4 Kids.
