After his friend Gina Kosmas died of breast cancer in 2004, Brent Bundy decided that he needed to raise awareness about the disease through cross country cycling treks. He was 36 years old and today at 51 is currently on his sixth awareness journey. The Keizer, Ore., resident stopped at the city’s Earl E. Schaffer Ice Rink May 2 as preparations for the 45th Annual Boutique at the Rink cancer support fundraiser had moved into full gear.

Bundy explained that he relies on the kindness of many strangers along the way and often volunteers at churches, fire houses and hospitals, where he often receives meals and other assistance in return. He swept the rink surface May 3 as volunteers moved about readying the many donations for Boutique sales, that will begin with a May 28 premiere night.

Bundy said the cross country trip normally takes three months, but that this sixth breast cancer awareness road trip is taking a year and two days to complete.