DUSHORE, Pa. — A map of the United States hangs in Donna Iannone's home in Dushore. The former Sullivan County commissioner just got back from a 60-day bike ride to raise money for ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body.
"I reached out to the ALS Cure Project through a friend of mine who had ALS, and it was who she partnered with. Unfortunately, she passed away in February prior to my ride starting, but as of now, we've raised over $15,000," said Iannone.
Iannone and 24 other women completed the 3,200-mile trip from San Diego, California, to St. Augustine, Florida. She documented her journey on Facebook, posting lots of pictures and videos.
Iannone says she saw all different types of terrain during her trek.
"We rode through fields of lettuce in Arizona, there was romaine, there was iceberg, we rode through broccoli, all kinds of—literally you saw everything. Road conditions were crazy; sometimes they were freshly paved, and sometimes it was like riding on a rock field of bricks."
Despite getting six flat tires and having to stop in El Paso, Texas, due to high winds, Iannone never thought about giving up.
"I got up every day to ride, even though sometimes my body was like, 'Oh, do we?' But no, every day we got up to ride and most of the other women I think felt the same," said Iannone.
Iannone says arriving in Florida to end the biking trip was emotional.
"And our friends and family were waiting for us, and it was emotional, it was triumphant, it was just a relief that we did it. We dove into the ocean, and it was one of the best experiences of my life, and I'm so glad I did it."
Iannone says she's still deciding on what her next big adventure will be.