BMX'er in need ...

Steve Spencer, who designed and constructed the original layout Milwaukee BMX track, recently sent out the following plea for financial support for his good friend, and integral member of the BMX racing community, Greg Leasure.

I made a small personal donation earlier this week, and would encourage any of you who know Greg to also help out. To be mis-diagnosed as potentially having cancer during the holiday season would be hard enough to cope with ... and, we can only imagine how devastating the crushing reality of the financials associated with this untimely hospital stay must be.

Below is Steve's message.

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This is a call out to the BMX community in general. It is time to come together and help out a great friend to all.... Mr. Greg Leasure. Many of you may have been following the reports on Greg since falling ill in Tulsa. To summarize what Greg has experienced:Greg began to feel ill on the Friday 11/17 while driving with the ABA crew to Tulsa. It started with chills, fever, and nausea. The next day it continued and Greg figured it was the flu and with some fluids and rest it would run its course. On Sunday night he started to get shortness of breath and asked to be taken to the hospital.

While in the hospital Greg was placed on IV's and after a brief evaluation it was determined he had a bad case of pneumonia. He was issued antibiotics, inhaler and pain med's. He felt slightly better on Monday but was still unable to hold down any food and most liquids. Early Wednesday morning Greg woke up his room -- Dan Mooney and said he felt worse than ever and needed to go back to the hospital. Dan rushed him over and Greg was immediately admitted for observation. New xrays showed that the liquid in Greg's left lung had increased significantly. At this point a ... doctor ... stated that Greg may have cancer and would have to have a biopsy performed! This news escalated Greg's anxiety along wiht those of who are close to him. Greg's girlfriend Lizzie immediately flew out to Tulsa to be with him.

Greg was released on Thursday and flew back home to Phoenix in hopes to get in to a doctor at one of the premier medical facilities in the country, the Mayo Clinic. Greg's condition was not improving all while in the back of his head he kept hearing the word "cancer". Greg's attempts to get into a doctor were delayed due to insurance changes that were taking place with his recent move from San Diego to Phoenix plus the Mayo Clinic's scheduling did not have him due to come in until sometime in January!!! Greg's mom and Lizzie were persistent in communicating Greg's condition to the Mayo Clinic which led to Greg's appointment today, 12/06.

The examination concluded that Greg did not have cancer but did have what is called Valley Fever ( http://www.dhpe.org/infect/valley.html ). The condition is sometimes fatal but Greg is in the right hands now. Greg is at ease with the cancer-cloud no longer looming over head.The whole ordeal did not come without a price. Greg has amassed a substantial medical bill while in Tulsa. Greg is presently in between jobs since moving to Phoenix and is very concerned about addressing the medical bills. This is where we come in. Please find it in your hearts and wallets to help Greg out. Any amount will be glady accepted and greatly appreciated. Those of you who know Greg know that he would be the first one to spearhead a fundraising effort if any of you needed the assistance.

Greg lives and breaths BMX and is a friend to all in the BMX community. He is the US Marketing/Advertising Director for BMX World Magazine, an avid contributor to the VBMX forums, one bad-azz racer for Factory Avent/Bombshell who had his Grands/NAG dreams knocked out from underneath him this year and is ONE HELL OF A FRIEND and a human being.

Please, let us band together and help out our brother in need. You can send your donations via PAYPAL to: gregleasure@hotmail.com If you do not have a PAYPAL account they are very easy to set up so no excuses. Thank you in advance for your help. - Steve Spencer