Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KFGO/KDLM) – Scott Freitag, the former Park Rapids postmaster and stage 4 prostate cancer patient, is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime as he begins a 1-year, 11,000 mile bike trip around the exterior of the United States to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer and schizophrenia.
The 59-year-old Freitag said he first came up with the idea of outlining the United States on a bike when he was in his twenties and a co-worker said they were leaving their post office job to sail around the world.
“A lightbulb went off,” said Freitag. “I’m into cycling and it’d be fun to bike around all the exterior states as opposed to biking across the country. And I thought this would be kinda cool, around the world, around the United States, and it just stayed with me through the years, kinda back of your mind.”
As the decades went by, Freitag said the normal life distractions of family and career made him put his cycling dream by the wayside until major life events intervened.
Freitag was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2018 after a routine physical found elevated levels of prostate-specific antigens in his blood. After surgery and radiation, Scott found out his cancer had spread to a lymph node and he began a regimen of chemotherapy to keep his aggressive cancer at bay.
“During that chemo, I got a phone call that no parent ever wants to get that my son had committed suicide,” said Freitag. “And then we found out after that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and he had gone off his meds due to the bad side-effects of the treatments for schizophrenia.”
After a lot of soul searching and prayer, Freitag decided he wanted to do something positive and bring both of the diseases that have affected the lives of himself, and his son, to the forefront so he can help and inspire others.
“I decided that I wanted to do something to make a difference with my life, and honor, not only my life, but Benny’s life as well” he said. “So I started discussing with (my wife) about my dream to bike around the exterior states and how I could do that to raise awareness and funds for both prostate cancer and schizophrenia, so that’s kinda how the dream was born.”
Freitag said he plans to bike 300 miles over five days per week with two days off to recover. He will also need to take time off for his continuing cancer treatments. His wife, Katy, will be following Scott every step of the way with a camper and trailer.
He also said he would love for people to join his cause along the way, even virtually, and bike their own miles while raising money for prostate cancer and schizophrenia.
Freitag will leave on Monday, June 26 to begin his trip around the country with the goal of raising $500,000 to further new treatment options for prostate cancer and schizophrenia. He will be working with the nonprofits: Zero Prostate Cancer and Schizophrenia Action Alliance, during his year-long trip.
“Part of it is the awareness for guys, you are not going to feel sick,” said Freitag. “It’s not going to be something where it knocks you on the head to say, ‘hey, you better get this checked,’ it’s not like that. It’s a silent killer.”
Scott’s brother, Randy, has also pledged to match the donation total up to $100,000 to further his brother’s cause
Freitag also said he hopes to inspire more people to schedule a prostate-specific antigen test as part of their next physical so that any cancer can be found early, which can help with treatment options.
For more information about Scott Freitag’s journey, or if you would like to make a donation to Scott’s cause and check in on his progress over the next year, visit his website at: milesformoney.org.
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