Development & External Relations 

For the 4th year in a row, Bill Johnson has made a special journey. He travels by bicycle along a familiar route from his home in Cle Elum to Pullman, all to raise money for Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  "Especially with the economy," said Johnson, "because there are people out there who are probably less likely to have discretionary income for their pets.
 
The idea for the ride began when Johnson’s Golden retriever "Sonny" was lost to canine lymphoma in 2006.  The route he takes retraces his friend’s last days when the two would travel back and forth to WSU for cancer treatments.  Now, he arrives at the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a special police escort, completing the 217 mile trek he makes every August 21st.
 
Donations continue to pour in, but in the course of 4 years Johnson has successfully raised nearly  $50,000 in donations. The money goes towards the Sonny Angel and Cody Jo's Gift of Hope Endowment, Johnson established in honor of his two dogs. The fund is used to support and care for WSU animal patients who need life-saving procedures but have no owners, or whose owners do not have the means to pay for the care.  His motto: "They were both gracious and giving, and I think this is what they would have wanted. So that’s why I’m doing it, Johnson said.
 
How long will he continue to ride? Johnson said "As long as I can follow that police officer up the hill, then I guess I’ll keep riding."
Donations can still be made

Riders are already making plans to join up with Johnson to complete the entire route next year.