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Dee Gregory, co-owner of KHWG radio in Fallon and a local disc jockey, embarked on what many would say was an unthinkable task - walking 75 miles from the Governor's Mansion in Carson City to Fallon in just three days in the June sun.
At 5:15 p.m. Friday, Gregory completed his walk by arriving at City Hall in Fallon to meet with Mayor Ken Tedford.
The journey began at the Governor's Mansion Wednesday at about 8:30 a.m. with Nevada First Lady Dawn Gibbons.
Gibbons and Gregory, with security in tow, walked together and discussed how wonderful it was that he was taking on such a feat for a great cause - to support health and fitness while raising money for Fallon's Relay For Life event. They parted ways at the Capitol after Gov. Jim Gibbons greeted Gregory and signed his sponsor T-shirt.
Gregory had two sponsor shirts made for his 75-mile journey. All who had contact with him along the way signed the shirt. The shirt will be hung on the wall at the radio station for all to see, he said.
Gov. Gibbons said it was a wonderful effort Gregory was doing for others.
The First Lady hugged Gregory as he set out on the remaining 74 miles, ensuring he had everything he needed before departing.
"This is a great, selfless gesture," she said. "As more and more people give selflessly to raise money for cancer research and treatment funding, the more we will see the disease being conquered."
Why did a man who only three years ago weighed in at 375 pounds take to the road with his feet to help others?
Gregory said there were three reasons he decided to do a charity walk: To bring in money for a band, to prove to himself he could do it and to promote health and fitness.
He knew bringing in a band would take a great deal of money, so he decided a charity walk covering a good distance was necessary to feel he had earned the donations.
"This year I thought about bringing in a full band for the event, better quality entertainment than the RFL has ever had," he said
Only three years ago, Gregory was unable to walk across a room without getting winded. After his gastric bypass surgery and losing 135 pounds, he wanted to see if he could do it.
"Three years later, I am maintaining the promise I made to my family and myself to keep the weight off and stay healthy," he said. "Before I gained all the weight, and when I was younger, I ran in 5K's and once did a 10K without stopping."
When Gregory informed the physicians at Western Bariatric Institute, where his surgery was completed, they were one of the first to get on board as sponsors.
He was able to attain 10 sponsors, eight of which were local. Through sponsors, he was able to bring in enough money to afford a well-known band to entertain during the fundraising event, he said.
Tuesday afternoon, Gregory received confirmation that the band Route 66 had agreed to perform during the RFL fundraising event, he said.
What plans does he have for the future?
"I am so confident in the outcome of this charity walk that I'm already planning an event for next year," Gregory said.
Due to the generous contributions of the sponsors, all the funds needed for the band were received. However, Gregory said the radio station and sponsors encourage everyone to donate to the Relay For Life. Donations can be dropped off at the station at 1050 W. Williams Ave.
"I want to thank the listeners and sponsors. Without them we wouldn't be having such a great band."
Fallon's Relay For Life is June 30 through July 1 at the Churchill County Junior High School. For more information on the local RFL event, contact Heather Turi at hlturi@yahoo.com or visit the American Cancer Society's Web site at www.acsevents.org/relay/nv/fallon
At 5:15 p.m. Friday, Gregory completed his walk by arriving at City Hall in Fallon to meet with Mayor Ken Tedford.
The journey began at the Governor's Mansion Wednesday at about 8:30 a.m. with Nevada First Lady Dawn Gibbons.
Gibbons and Gregory, with security in tow, walked together and discussed how wonderful it was that he was taking on such a feat for a great cause - to support health and fitness while raising money for Fallon's Relay For Life event. They parted ways at the Capitol after Gov. Jim Gibbons greeted Gregory and signed his sponsor T-shirt.
Gregory had two sponsor shirts made for his 75-mile journey. All who had contact with him along the way signed the shirt. The shirt will be hung on the wall at the radio station for all to see, he said.
Gov. Gibbons said it was a wonderful effort Gregory was doing for others.
The First Lady hugged Gregory as he set out on the remaining 74 miles, ensuring he had everything he needed before departing.
"This is a great, selfless gesture," she said. "As more and more people give selflessly to raise money for cancer research and treatment funding, the more we will see the disease being conquered."
Why did a man who only three years ago weighed in at 375 pounds take to the road with his feet to help others?
Gregory said there were three reasons he decided to do a charity walk: To bring in money for a band, to prove to himself he could do it and to promote health and fitness.
He knew bringing in a band would take a great deal of money, so he decided a charity walk covering a good distance was necessary to feel he had earned the donations.
"This year I thought about bringing in a full band for the event, better quality entertainment than the RFL has ever had," he said
Only three years ago, Gregory was unable to walk across a room without getting winded. After his gastric bypass surgery and losing 135 pounds, he wanted to see if he could do it.
"Three years later, I am maintaining the promise I made to my family and myself to keep the weight off and stay healthy," he said. "Before I gained all the weight, and when I was younger, I ran in 5K's and once did a 10K without stopping."
When Gregory informed the physicians at Western Bariatric Institute, where his surgery was completed, they were one of the first to get on board as sponsors.
He was able to attain 10 sponsors, eight of which were local. Through sponsors, he was able to bring in enough money to afford a well-known band to entertain during the fundraising event, he said.
Tuesday afternoon, Gregory received confirmation that the band Route 66 had agreed to perform during the RFL fundraising event, he said.
What plans does he have for the future?
"I am so confident in the outcome of this charity walk that I'm already planning an event for next year," Gregory said.
Due to the generous contributions of the sponsors, all the funds needed for the band were received. However, Gregory said the radio station and sponsors encourage everyone to donate to the Relay For Life. Donations can be dropped off at the station at 1050 W. Williams Ave.
"I want to thank the listeners and sponsors. Without them we wouldn't be having such a great band."
Fallon's Relay For Life is June 30 through July 1 at the Churchill County Junior High School. For more information on the local RFL event, contact Heather Turi at hlturi@yahoo.com or visit the American Cancer Society's Web site at www.acsevents.org/relay/nv/fallon
