July 16, 2003 - Nashville, TN

We visited Madie Marshall today and she is a bundle of joy! 

Click here to read Madie Marshall's Story.

Forecast: 95 degrees

Road Condition: Good. I-40E to Nashville, TN

Fuel: Super Unleaded $1.69

Miles Traveled: Memphis, TN to Nashville, TN: 225 (Total: 4,001)

Bike Update: Running good

Road Trip Log Update: This road trip log update is dedicated to Madie Marshall and her Mom & Dad. Madie is a 2 year old patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who is being treated for retinoblastoma, which is a cancer that effects the eye. Click here to read Madie's Story.  We had the opportunity to meet the Marshall’s at the NAA Conference and Show last year where they shared Madie’s story in an effort to bring awareness to the auctioneers about how their chosen charity was making a difference. Madie and her family were not able to join us this year in San Antonio because the cancer had returned and she was back at St. Jude. We showed up for our visit with Barbara Howell in the morning and when we arrived in the lobby, Madie’s mom Nancy was there and we were invited to come up to the patient level after our tour. The hospital is dedicated in such a unique way to every child treated. Attention to detail is everywhere, from the counters at check in being at kids level to the parents being able to stay in the child’s room. The atmosphere makes the kids relax as much as they can, and it was such a joy to hear kids playing even when they didn’t feel good. We met local Memphis artists who had volunteered their time to create murals on the patient level of the hospital. The artwork, which depicted the Memphis skyline and attractions in a storybook lay out was incredible. Madie’s favorite was the wall that featured “Madison Avenue and Danny Thomas Blvd”. As we visited with Nancy, Madie was her busy little self being a typical 2-year old and keeping us entertained. She will tell you that her eye is sick and the doctors are making it better. Barbara explained to us that the Hospital is making great advancements in a variety of challenging diseases, however, the expense to run the hospital is a million dollars a day. We were also impressed that St. Jude will never turn away a child because they are unable to pay for treatment and that the research they develop is shared with other children’s hospital worldwide. On our home page we have included a donation form if you would like to help make a difference. As we are living our lives to the fullest, we want to insure that children get the same opportunity. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast and love kids, here is a good way to show your support. We ask that you email and share this page and the donation form with other like-minded people. As we left the hospital, Nancy told us that she believed in the power of prayer and made the request to lift up Madie’s illness so that her eye could be saved. We ask that you help in this way as well. Our day also included a visit to the chapel where the scene on a beautiful stained glass window and statue of St. Jude reminded us that Madie was in good hands.

St. Jude entrance
St. Jude chapel
Madie pointing out her favorite wall (Madison Street)
Finished hall Mural
Volunteers painting the hallways
Danny Thomas Pavilion
Click to see July 15, 2003	Click to see July 17, 2003