Charles Pelkey's medical bills

I've been a long-time fan of NYVeloCity, but I never imagined that meant being part of a family. Monday, August 15, proved that I was. You cannot imagine how grateful I am to all of you.

Andy and crew, I don't know what to say. The outpouring of warmth has been overwhelming. I wasn't expecting this and when I saw what Andy had done, I was tempted to turn it down ... but my cranky old friend, Mr. O'Grady, suggests accepting it in the spirit it was given "a digital version of folks stopping by with a casserole and offering help." Man, that's a helluva lot of covered dishes!

With the prospect of $1850/month to maintain insurance, deductibles, co-pays and uncovered expenses, along with that major loss in earnings sent me for a loop. On top of that, no matter what they say, a lay-off is a firing â?¦ and it devastates one's self worth. The outpouring of support and encouragement here made me realize that there are people who valued my work and that came at a really critical time for me.

The value of my work, by the way, raises another issue. There have been a number of people who have called for a boycott of VeloNews, based on the fact that I was laid-off on the same day my diagnosis was confirmed. The decision was largely a corporate thing and has little to do with what I always regarded as VeloNews. I am not encouraging anyone to boycott a publication with which I was associated for 17 years.

I had a good run and I had some amazing experiences there. There are some terrific people still involved in the magazine and the website and I sure as heck don't want to do anything to detract from their work. What I find most heartening in all of this is that the readers apparently saw me and my work there as something more than just a line item.

I am now beginning 20 weeks of chemo therapy. I start with something called Adriamycin. It's supposed to be effective, but the side effects are not pleasant. Apparently, I will lose energy because of a low red (and white) blood cell count, will be unable to ride much and not get outside, because of susceptibility to infection, and my hair will fall out.

WIn anticipation of that last side-effect, I have actually opted to shave off all of my hair the day before chemo starts. Mr. O'Grady said he's showing up for that one. (I am not sure if he's there to lend moral support or merely to serve as a hair model for the barber.)

I just want to say that I am truly grateful for all of the help and my family and I have been moved to tears by your generosity. I was really touched, especially when some apologized for not being able to give more. Please. To be sure, the double whammy of unemployment and an inability to work is a huge hit, but it's not so huge that people need to cut back on their own expenses to help me out.

These last few weeks have underscored how really lucky I am. My wife and I "celebrated" our 25th anniversary just a few days after my first surgery and my lay-off. (Talk about burying the "for better" with a big dose of "for worse.") Diana - and our two kids, Philip and Annika - have been remarkably strong. On top of that, the outpouring of support from all of you has been downright overwhelming.

Thank you. I hope to be in touch with each and every one of you, but it may take a little time. For now, please accept my heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

Charles