National Cancer Institute

The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.

In life it is easy to become wrapped up in trying to achieve things for myself. Trying to get ahead in a career and buying bigger and better things to find satisfaction often leaves you feeling empty after achieving them. I have come to a place in my life where happiness is no longer about the things I want for myself, but what I can give to someone else in need. Cancer is a cruel disease that knows no boundaries and has no age discrimination; it can affect anyone, including a beautiful, healthy, energetic woman like my mom, whom I watched fight this disease for six months. It is a privilege for me to join up with Ken’s vision to try to make a little difference in a big way.

Background

I started inner-city children’s programs and am involved with teen ministries. I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters who have given me a new passion for life.

Words for the kids at The Children’s Inn

You are very special and loved more than you could ever imagine.

The Children’s Inn at NIH is a residential “place like home” for children and their families. Children come from across the country and around the world to stay together with their families in The Inn’s healing environment while receiving groundbreaking medical treatments at the NIH, the world’s leading biomedical research center.

The Children's Inn

Funds for The National Cancer Institute support projects such as special fellowships to train young scientists in cancer research, equipment for clinical laboratories, workshops and conferences on subjects of special importance to cancer research, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center’s “Patient Emergency Fund,” which is used to assist patients in financial need.

Since opening in June 1990, more than 8,684 patients and families from all 50 states and 74 foreign countries have made over 40,000 visits to The Children’s Inn.

Quest 40 Cure team members will also be able to interact with children from the Inn through interactive blogs and webcams while on their 30,000 mile journey.

Route: New York City-Chesapeake-Bahamas-[Eastern Caribbean]-[Central America]-Panama-Galapagos-Marquesas-Tuamotus-Tahiti-Tonga-Fiji-Vanuatu-Northern Australia (Torres Strait)-Indonesia-Singapore-Thailand-Sri Lanka-Red Sea-Mediterranean-Azores-Chesapeake-New York City.

Ken Davis, Founder and CEO

Reason for starting the Quest

Twelve years ago I stood by and helplessly watched as a beloved family member, who was also my closest friend, lost the fight against cancer in the prime of her life. The disease cruelly stole another life in the process: that of her unborn child. The inability for me to stop this, to save them, was maddening. My vision of the Quest was born from this tragedy and shaped over the past decade. Never again will I stand idly by as cancer takes life after precious life. Achieving the Quest is my sole driving force. We will be the first to Jet Ski around the world in 40 days; we will raise millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research; and maybe, just maybe, we will find that elusive cure.

Background

I currently reside in Hagerstown, Maryland, with my wife and children. I have chosen many diverse paths to better my world and myself, including serving as a pastor, a U.S. soldier in Iraq, a Maryland police officer/private investigator, and a higher education specialist. These experiences have given me a broad perspective and a grateful heart. The journey continues.

Words for the kids at The Children’s Inn

We are in this fight together. Please stay encouraged and know that we will go the distance with you. You all are a true inspiration to the Quest team.

Christopher Rieley

Shortly after I graduated college, a close classmate of mine was diagnosed with Leukemia. I was not able to spend a large amount of time with him at that moment in our lives, and spent much time thinking about never seeing him again. He is one of the strongest individuals I have ever known, and he survived. I witnessed firsthand the effects have on those diagnosed as well as on their friends and families. I believe there will be a cure for cancer. I want to do everything I can to speed up the timeframe on which that happens, and eliminate the widespread suffering cancer causes. By contributing to the Quest, I can personally influence the speed a cure could come to the world.

Background

I am a 28 year old commercial banker at a large regional bank. My interests are sports, the outdoors, business, my friends, and my family.

Bethany Beghly

I can’t think of anything worse than children suffering through a disease like cancer. It is my hope that news of the Quest will spread faster than cancer, and that soon scientists,  doctors, and nurses will have the funds and knowledge to find a cure. For the first time, I am stepping outside of myself to take action. Together we are more powerful than cancer.

Background

I have lived in western Maryland all my life. I have an Associates Degree in general studies, and now I am interested in the medical field. Some of my interests are boating, shopping, dancing and hanging out with my amazing friends. I am presently   working at Deep Creek Marina.

Steve Stallings

Having lost both parents to cancer (my mother at age 46 and my father at age 68), I have seen firsthand how this terrible disease physically ravishes the body and torments the mind of both its victims and their loved ones. It took everything I had to remain strong throughout my parents’ many rounds of treatment, and only wished throughout the duration of this disease that somehow it could have been me instead, to spare them the physical pain and to give them the full life on this earth that they so deserved.

I often ask myself how a child can be taken in this way, without having the opportunity to experience all that life has to offer as I have, and how the parents and siblings of these young victims can cope with the inevitable yet to come, and the aftermath their families must endure (emotionally and financially). Finding a cure for children’s cancers will ultimately lead (I believe) to a cure for its many other forms which could affect any of us.

For these reasons, I am taking the personal risks involved to complete this never-before completed
circumnavigation of the globe on Jet Ski’s to bring attention to this most deserving cause.

Background

I am a 51-year-old father of three grown children with families of their own, working in education as an IT support specialist, photographer and graphic artist for a DOD-funded learning initiative to increase the interest of high school students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. My interests include family, boating, fishing, camping, woodworking and motorsports. I am a 32nd degree Freemason.

Words for the kids at The Children’s Inn

I will do everything I can for you, and with the blessing of God, this quest will have a positive outcome for all of you guys. Hang in there, kids. I’ll be praying for all of you.