05/27/2020
Dear Friends:
I am writing to give you an update on the CowaLUNGa 2020 Charity Bike Tour.
While we always want to ride, the safety of our wonderful riders and volunteers is most important and guides our decisions regarding CowaLUNGa. We have followed developments around COVID-19 daily since late-February. Our hope was the virus would diminish or safety measures would evolve to a point where we could safely host our traditional ride.
This week, we concluded that a safe ride is not possible.
Emerging data from communities around the U.S. show COVID-19 can spread outdoors. Likewise, group dinners, overnight housing and shared bus rides all present further opportunities for the virus to spread. That is a risk we do not want to take. Thanks to all COW riders, volunteers and medical personnel who helped us make this decision.
While disappointed we will not all ride together this year, we are excited to announce the first ever Virtual CowaLUNGa Charity Bike Tour! We may not be pedaling together, but we can still have a whole lot of fun – just a little differently than usual.
We plan to keep the spirit and traditions of the ride alive. Stay tuned for exciting new virtual experiences that we look forward to sharing with you soon!
Learn more about our virtual event and register:
www.resphealth.org/cowalunga-event-details/
We Need Your Help
Each year, Respiratory Health Association raises most of its annual budget from fundraising events like CowaLUNGa. Continuing this event in 2020 and into the future is critical for our efforts to prevent lung disease, promote clean air and help people live better.
People living with asthma, COPD, lung cancer and other chronic lung diseases continue to face daily challenges, especially during COVID-19. Lung disease researchers, including local doctors we have already funded for COVID-19 research, have urgent projects that cannot wait. Please help us meet these needs – and protect the most vulnerable people among us. Lung disease does not take a break, and RHA’s programs and events depend on the support of our community.
Registering and fundraising for the 2020 virtual ride will help us continue bringing hope to these people now and in the future.
If you already registered for the 2020 ride, the special events team will reach out to you shortly to discuss your options.
To our Cowtastic volunteers — we want you to be part of this special year. The special events team will touch base soon to collaborate on ideas.
I look forward to seeing you virtually in 2020 and live in August 2021 for the 25th anniversary of the CowaLUNGa Charity Bike Tour.
My best,
Joel J. Africk
President & CEO
Respiratory Health Association
CowaLUNGa Rider - Bull Dozin’
www.resphealth.org/cowalunga-event-details/
