"Every year I get more ambitious in my goals,” says 21-year-old Farzad Sarkari of Houston who has signed up for the Great Cycle Challenge to support Children’s Cancer Research Fund. He has made a commitment to ride 300 miles this September and raise USD 4,000 of which he had managed 156 miles and USD 1,647 by September 11. "My challenge will be tough but it’s nothing compared to what these brave kids face every day of their lives as they battle this terrible disease… Thirty-eight kids die every week in the US because of cancer… Everyone’s life has been touched by kids who are fighting some form of adversity. I am sure you have always wondered how you can help or find someone who can help. Use your good thoughts, words and deeds for these kids. We can all help to change their lives,” said the youngster appealing for donations through his fundraising page, greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/Farzad Sarkari/d
(Top and above) Farzad Sarkari: cycling for a cause
The Great Cycle Challenge that started in 2015 has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in the United States, according to their website greatcyclechallenge.com. "In five years, our community of riders from all 50 states has ridden a total of 18,831,310 miles, and together we’ve raised $ 24,615,507 in support of research to develop better treatment and find a cure for childhood cancer…People of all ages, abilities and from every state across the country set themselves a personal riding goal and challenge themselves to pedal to fight kids’ cancer.”
Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Sarkari is into "all sports and physical health. When looking up some cycling events that were nearby I came across the Great Cycle Challenge…It was basically a win-win situation for everyone as I get to cycle and raise money for kids with cancer,” noted the socially conscious sportsman when responding to Parsiana’s queries. Currently in his last year of undergraduate college, majoring in mathematics, chemistry and biochemistry with a minor in dance, Farzad is interested in pursuing medical studies and becoming an orthopedic surgeon. His sister Rukshana is in her first year at a military school, and Farzad too plans to join the medical corps for the Navy. His father Rohinton is an engineer with Fluor Daniel and mother Nazanin is an office manager at a car dealership.
A member of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston’s sports committee, Farzad declares that he is broad-minded and chooses to constantly practice good thoughts, words and deeds which is one of the reasons he is participating in the Great Cycle Challenge. Every email of his ends with the message, "Where there is a will, there is a way!”
Answers to Brain booster: 1. Soli, 2. Adil, 3. Fali, 4. Aspy, 5. Aban, 6. Farida, 7. Dinshaw, 8. Porus, 9. Patels, 10. upper crust, 11. author (chemical name for gold is Au + Thunder God is Thor = author)