Three local teenagers have become actively involved in welcoming John Ellis and the Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour to Doylestown. The Hepatitis B Foundation has sponsored John Ellis, a 17-year-old from Pensacola, Fla., to ride his bike from Pensacola to Doylestown to raise awareness of hepatitis B. John and his best friend, Jamaal Warren, left Florida on June 2 and will arrive in Doylestown on Monday, June 23 – John’s 18th birthday.

John’s courage and conviction has captured the attention of Central Bucks High School juniors Suzanne Block of CB West, Allison Broadbent of CB East, and Cara Barskey of CB South. Block, Broadbent and Barskey volunteered to assist the Hepatitis B Foundation in a Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour local awareness campaign as their high school graduation projects. The three students have combined efforts to mobilize all of their friends in organizing a Doylestown celebration welcoming John and Jamaal to town and commemorating John’s birthday and journey. The power of one to make a difference has inspired these three students to demonstrate that teens really can help teens.

Members of the public are invited to attend the free, Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour finale on Monday, June 23 from 2 pm to 3:30 pm at the Hepatitis B Foundation – 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown. An audience of enthusiastic teens, local dignitaries and many others will join the celebration where citations from Representatives Kathy Watson and Marguerite Quinn, and Congressman Patrick Murphy will be presented to John and Jamaal in recognition of their extraordinary efforts. Other festivities will include live teen bands; refreshments from Rita’s water ice, soft pretzels and birthday cake; plus an appearance by O’Liver, the Foundation’s mascot.

About John Ellis and the Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour: In 2006, two weeks before John’s 16th birthday, he was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B. At first, John had no idea what this diagnosis meant and how it would affect his life. Instead of becoming discouraged by the news, John set out to learn more about his condition and found that hundreds of teens are infected with the hepatitis B virus each week. Armed with the knowledge that hepatitis B is preventable, he decided to turn his devastating diagnosis into an awareness opportunity to help educate other teens about the hepatitis B virus. John is also working to help raise funds to support the Foundation’s cause to find a cure for this serious liver disease.

John contacted the Hepatitis B Foundation to ask for their support in sponsoring a Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour. On June 2, John’s 1,100 mile journey began with a kick-off event at his high school in Pensacola. John is joined by his best friend Jamaal riding alongside him and several family members riding in a chase van behind them for support.