Some college students backpack through Europe after graduation. MSU alumnus Derek Blalock decided to bike across America to raise money and awareness for a nonprofit foundation to provide heart screenings for teens.
Blalock’s friend Tommy Smith died during their senior year of high school due to an undiagnosed enlarged heart. Ever since, Blalock wanted to help raise money for the Thomas Smith Memorial Foundation. The opportunity presented itself this summer.
Blalock started the ride on May 16 in Charleston, South Carolina because his family now lives in South Carolina and he had never been to the city, but heard how nice it was.
He stopped at his alma mater June 1 for a balloon launch event to raise money for the foundation and raise awareness around the Greater Lansing community about heart screenings for teens. Each balloon that was launched had a note inside with the foundation’s Facebook page link. The goal was to connect with those who eventually found the note from the balloon.
“I came up with the idea in 2012,” Blalock said. “I got the idea from Forrest Gump when he was running back and forth across the country.”
During the summers of 2013 and 2014, Blalock pursued internships. He knew he did not want to work during the summer after his graduation, so he dedicated himself to biking 6,500 miles across the United States.
“I’m raising money for the foundation, but I am also doing it for myself to see places I have been and liked, and places I’ve never seen before,” Blalock said.
So far, Blalock has biked about 1,500 miles. Once the 75-day trip is over, he will have biked through 23 states, and will end in Greenville, South Carolina. His favorite sights on the trip so far have been Philadelphia and the Rocky Gap State Park in Maryland.
“I’m most looking forward to getting back to Colorado where I interned last summer, and to Dallas, where we have a lot of events planned to raise awareness,” Blalock said.
He said he has faced one flat tire and has biked through very warm weather.
“It’s been really hot, but I prefer hot than cold,” Blalock said. “I’ve gotten lucky most of the days because it’s been pretty nice outside.”
Blalock said the best part of the trip has been meeting new people along the way, whether they may be local mayors or others biking for a cause.
“It’s interesting to hear other people’s stories and how they have been impacted by sudden cardiac arrest and other conditions,” he said.