Couple Concluded 50-State Bicycle Awareness Tour

Tom and Carol Vereecke completed a national cycling journey to raise awareness for cytomegalovirus.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Alzheimer’s

Screen-print poster illustration of a touring bicycle leaning against a post in a wide landscape, representing a long-distance mission. — Tom and Carol Vereecke have completed their 50-state bicycle tour, a multi-year mission aimed at increasing public awareness regarding the prevention of cytomegalovirus. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Tom and Carol Vereecke finished their 50-state bicycle tour to promote awareness of cytomegalovirus, a mission inspired by their granddaughter. Loved ones completed the final leg of the journey for Carol Vereecke, who was unable to finish due to a dementia diagnosis.

Why it matters

The mission aimed to address a significant lack of knowledge regarding cytomegalovirus among expectant mothers. The couple sought to turn a personal family struggle into a broader public health campaign for prevention and education.

The tour successfully raised over $35,000 for the CMV Foundation while traversing 50 states. Currently, 91% of pregnant women remain unaware of cytomegalovirus, leaving a substantial gap in prenatal health education.

The players

Tom Vereecke

He is a Grand Rapids resident who led the multi-year national cycling mission.

Carol Vereecke

She is a participant in the bicycle tour who was diagnosed with dementia before the mission ended.

CMV Foundation

This is the organization that received over $35,000 in donations raised during the cross-country event.

The details

After the couple began their mission years ago to support their granddaughter, they and their teammates traveled across the country by bicycle. Following Carol Vereecke's dementia diagnosis, friends and family stepped in to ride the mission's final leg to ensure the project reached its conclusion.

October 9, 2026: The 50-state bicycle mission officially concluded.

Health Landscape

This effort highlights the persistent challenge in public health outreach regarding cytomegalovirus, which remains under-recognized compared to other prenatal risks. The mission follows the established trajectory of grassroots advocacy groups attempting to fill critical education gaps left by broader health institutions.

For residents in the Grand Rapids area, this story underscores the importance of discussing prenatal screening with healthcare providers. It also brings local attention to the challenges faced by families navigating the intersection of public health awareness and a dementia diagnosis.

The takeaway

This mission serves as a reminder that grassroots advocacy can drive significant funding for medical foundations. It also highlights the reality that family medical crises, such as a dementia diagnosis, can change the trajectory of long-term community projects.