Cyclists making ‘histio' history

By Eve Hightower/Appeal-Democrat

Joe Cosgrove and a small group of supporters may be cycling across the country, but they are a driven band.

Twenty-eight cyclists will ride from Davis to Boston, raising awareness and money for a rare blood disease - histiocytosis.

It will be the largest fundraiser in the disease's history, Cosgrove said. So far, the group has raised $270,000. It hopes to bring in $300,000 before they finish in 28 days.

Cosgrove, who lives in Davis and works in Yuba City, has been cycling for 20 years. He only began learning about the disease about two years ago, when his daughter became ill.

“She had a little pain and it progressed until she couldn't walk,” Cosgrove said Friday in an interview. “For a while, we thought it could be one of a few really nasty cancers.”

It turned out to be histiocytosis of the spine.

“When I found out, I walked around numb,” Cosgrove said.

She had a tumor, and the muscles around the spine were inflamed. After treatment, including chemotherapy, Cosgrove's daughter, Dakota, recovered. She's healthy now and will join the group for a few days, he said.

Dakota's disease is in remission, but every pang is a reminder of her mortality.

“It's unpredictable,” Cosgrove said. “The disease can come back at any time. With every little ache and pain you worry.”

Ken McClain, a leading pediatrician on the disease at Texas Children's Cancer Center, will ride with Cosgrove.

McClain said histiocytosis affects people differently depending on where it attacks the body.

“It can be very painful,” he said. “When it get into the brain, people have a hard time balancing and walking. Some people get rashes and deep ulcers. It's extremely unpleasant.”

McClain said adults can develop the disease too.

“They tend to get delayed diagnosis because it is even more rare than in children.”

The disease is so unusual, there is almost no research support for it, which is why McClain joined the ride.

But he is also ready to push the limits of his own body along side others who share his passion for health.

“It's going to be the greatest adventure of my life,” he said.

As if the 3,000-mile ride weren't challenging enough, the group will ride fixed-gear bikes, which means cyclists will pump their legs the entire time.

“Coast to coast without coasting,” Cosgrove said. “It's a challenge.”

Appeal-Democrat reporter Eve Hightower can be reached at 749-4724. You may e-mail her at ehightower@appeal-democrat.com.