EyeRide for Sight is under way and taking donations

San Francisco-A cycling team made up of six cyclists from the United Kingdom began a 3,000-mile transcontinental bike ride on May 7 in order to educate the public about eye disease, encourage the public to utilize EyeCare America's free eye-care programs, and raise funds to support this public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's (AAO) efforts to save sight.

"When our board member, Tony McClellan, approached us to let us know that his son was looking for a worthy cause to support during his scheduled transcontinental bike ride, we thought that it would be a great partnership," said Richard P. Mills, MD, chairman of EyeCare America. "Through the EyeRide for Sight, we hope to get the message out to medically underserved communities that EyeCare America can help save their sight."

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a letter of support to the California based organization for the journey that began at EyeCare America's headquarters in San Francisco and will finish at the AAO's Washington, DC office in late July. Another supporter of the ride is the California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.

The EyeRide for Sight cycling team is led by Tom McClellan of Gloucestershire, South West England, and the riders are McClellan, Alex Galvin, Ben Hodge, Ben Leigh, Oliver Lombard, and Fred Mahon.

"We are excited to work with EyeCare America in order to help raise awareness about eye disease and preventable blindness," said McClellan. "We hope that our bike ride across the United States will allow EyeCare America to help even more people save their sight."

A $25 donation provides free medical eye care to someone in need within the United States. To make a donation log on to www.eyecareamerica.org , and click on the "EyeRide for Sight" logo.