This July, Millsaps senior William Benton, along with his brother Michael and two friends, Matt Marrero and Brian Goh, set out from Washington, D.C., on a bicycle trip back home to Louisiana to raise awareness for cancer. The trip, which was two years in the making, was nearly 1,800 miles long and raised more than $31,000 for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
“After my kidney cancer returned during William's freshman year at Millsaps, he almost dropped out to come home to help,” said Jimmy Benton, William and Michael’s father. “Although my treatment was rough, with four weeks in intensive care, I wouldn't let him stop his education.”
But the Benton boys still wanted to help, so they decided on a bicycle trip to raise money for their local radiation center and promote awareness. On their trip, they stayed on campgrounds, in churches and at friends’ homes, and lobbied their congressmen in Washington.
“We are so pleased that William chose Millsaps,” said his father, “as we believe the experience has contributed to his commitment to service.”
For more information about the trip, visit the website at www.capitoltocapitolride.org.
