Cancer advocacy and prevention are the goals of one student’s 51-day journey across 11 states this summer.

Tyler Weig, senior in community health education, plans to leave Florence, Ore., on June 4 and arrive in Virginia Beach, Va., on July 24, a trip that is more than 3,700 miles — with a bike as his only transportation.

He will be traveling to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

“Overall, the trip is going to be pretty tough — the amount of time we’re doing, the fact that we’re going through the Rockies,” Weig said. “I will be covering anywhere from 50 to 130 miles a day — it will be pretty intense.”

Weig said he came up with the idea for the trip in January. He wanted to do something to give back to the community and decided to create a fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society.

When he approached the organization with his idea to travel the country on bike to raise donations, they did not know how serious he was but knew he would need help to plan the event, said Tonya Fier, American Cancer Society income development director for Iowa.

“At first, I wasn’t real optimistic that this was going to happen — ‘You’re going to ride your bike across the country all on your own?’ — but I quickly began to see that he was really serious,” she said.

Fier said the American Cancer Society decided to sponsor Cycling for a Cure, and she and Weig have worked to find sponsors.

Bike World, 126 S. 3rd St., donated a bike, equipment and clothing. Weig is still in need of a support vehicle that could be used for the duration of the trip and then be returned. Cycling for a Cure also needs sponsors to help them toward their fundraising goal of $50,000.

The trip, however, is not just about raising money.

“It is really going to be a great awareness event,” Fier said. “The money is a benefit, but the most important aspect is letting folks know there is help out there.”

Weig said he will attend events along the trip and distribute information about the benefits of a healthier lifestyle and early detection in preventing cancer.

“The education component is really an important part to me,” Weig said. “Sometimes people don’t think they play a role in the fight against cancer, but they do — not only in their personal life, but in educating their friends and family.”

Fier said one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. She said the American Cancer Society uses donations to fund research, education and awareness efforts, advocacy efforts and patient services.

“They are a great organization to work with,” Weig said. “A lot of people know someone that has been affected by cancer, so many people can relate to it.”

Weig will be meeting up with several other biking trips along the way, including Push America for the first three days of his trip, which was the reason for the starting time, and Ride the Rockies in Colorado. He will have a rest day in Des Moines on July 5.

Weig is scheduled to end his trip on the same day the Tour de France ends.

“I thought that would be fitting, especially if Lance [Armstrong] is winning again,” Weig said.

Weig is still looking for places to stay on the trip. He said he is especially looking for ISU alumni or family and friends of students.

He said he has never done a bike ride of such length, but he isn’t worried.

“I’m confident that I will finish, that everything will work out great,” he said. “I’m not necessarily the fastest rider, but I’m persistent.”

Forrest Ridgway, owner of Bike World, said he sponsored the event because of Weig’s dedication and the organization the trip benefits. Ridgway said he has biked similar trips several times, and Weig should not have any trouble finishing his trip on time, especially given his motivation.

“I think he’s doing it just about right,” he said. “If you don’t kind of dream a little bit big, you don’t accomplish anything.”

Updates on Weig’s trip will be posted at www.acsevents.org/ia/cyclingforacure, along with trip information and suggestions for ways to donate. Donations can be made by phone, mail, or on the Web site.

Fier said Cycling for a Cure is the first event of its kind for the American Cancer Society.

“I just thought that was really amazing for [Weig] to have that sense of community and that sense of volunteerism to do something this big,” she said.