A TRACTOR RIDE FOR LIFE

Bob Husz of rural Council Bluffs and formerly from Macedonia has a mission.  He is founder of the Tractor Ride Against Cancer and he is working to raise funds for research to treat and prevent cancer.  Husz is personally fighting cancer with his efforts to raise these funds.  During the treatment period for stage 3 cancer he started an effort to restore a 1952 Ford tractor with the help of some family members and friends.  Along the way he got the idea of riding the tractor across Iowa to raise awareness of the need for funds to extend cancer research.  Husz teamed with the University of Nebraska Medical Center Research Foundation and organized his first tractor trip of a week’s duration in August 2006.  Husz said he raised $9 thousand the first year.  He also did another trip across Iowa in June 2007, but he doesn’t know yet how much money was raised.  Husz said he has four grandchildren and he plans to take each one along with him so he has plans for two more trips across Iowa.  He said he takes a different route each time.  Along the way tractor clubs and individuals join with him in the ride across Iowa and many people contribute to his efforts.  The Research Foundation takes care of publicity and he concentrates on the logistics of driving his tractor which can travel about 24 mph.  Husz said there is talk of extending this activity to a ride across the United States.