08:00 Wed, 22 JUN 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY PATIENT TO PEDDLE HIS BIKE 426 MILES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR OTHERS

Six years ago Bill Streetman (then age 54) weighed 404 pounds and his health was failing.  He could no longer do the things he loved such as hike, snow ski, play soccer or ride his bike.  Diets and weight loss plans had not worked for him.  On October 4, 2010 Bill underwent Roux-en-Y1 gastric bypass surgery.  The surgery provided him a tool to manage his eating. He implemented a vigorous exercise program and over the next 12 months lost half his body weight.  He has maintained his weight loss for five years and has returned to hiking, skiing, playing soccer and riding his bike.  He calls his experience a “Journey to Fitness” and today shares his story with people all over the world through lectures and blogging. 

Bill worried that he was too old to make the kind of lifestyle changes that both surgery and ongoing weight management needs would require.   He feared that if eating well would be difficult, exercising, especially at advancing age and after years of inactivity, would be extremely difficult… and painful… maybe impossible. It wasn’t!  

As a result of his weight loss and successful ongoing weight management, Bill has focused on helping others in their personal weight loss journey, with a special focus on the needs of people 55+ years old and those who may not be able to afford the same life-saving surgery that has helped him achieve his goals. 

Making a Statement and Leading by Example

To increase awareness of the obesity epidemic in older adults, and to raise funds for the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America (www.WLSFA.org), an organization that provides funds to help people without the financial means or insurance resources to have weight loss surgery, and to use his own Journey to Fitness as an example, Bill (now age 60) will peddle his Trek bicycle from his home in Columbus, Ohio, to Gaylord, Michigan.  The ride is approximately 426 miles and will span eight days, starting on July 29th and concluding on August 5th, 2016.  Bill has named the ride the Tour of Hope. 

Passing through dozens of cities in Ohio and Michigan, he will share his story with local press, visit various Weight Loss Centers of Excellence and spread the word that it is never too late to take control of your health, defeat obesity, and reclaim your active, healthy and productive life. 

A public donation page has been established: http://www.wlsfa.org/blog/cause/tour-of-hope-by-bill-streetman/

Fans will be able to view the progress of his bike trip on his Facebook page (www.facebook.com/whsnewlife) where he will document the trip with the use of his GoPRO and the AT&T Network, streaming live from the road and leaving video messages when being online isn’t possible. 

Become a Sponsor

Several sponsors have signed up to support Bill and his ride, including Bariatrix (www.bariatrix.com) and Celebrate Vitamins (www.celebratevitamins.com).  They will be sharing his ride on their social media to increase the fund raising reach. To become a sponsor contact Bill, his contact information is included below.

About Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America

The WLSFA core mission is to fund grants for weight loss surgery and reconstructive surgery. Founded in 2010, the WLSFA is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization powered by donations from weight loss surgery patients, medical professionals and industry partners. Qualified Bariatric and Plastic Surgeons may refer patients to apply for full or partial grants. Completed applications are blinded and reviewed by the selection committee. Finalists are presented to the Board of Directors where funds are awarded. The WLSFA hosts an annual national fundraiser. The WLSFA is a 100% volunteer organization. For more information, please visit http://www.wlsfa.org.

About Bill Streetman

On October 4, 2010 Bill underwent weight loss surgery, with Dr. Sabir performing the Roux-en-Y procedure at St. John’s Weight Loss Center of Excellence in Madison Heights, Michigan. With this life changing tool and Bill’s hard work and dedication, he is now half the man he used to be. Bill is maintaining his 200 pound loss!

“Weight-loss surgery doesn’t do the work for you. It’s just a tool. It doesn’t select the foods you eat or get you get out of bed in the morning to go to the gym and work out. You have to take control.”

But more than simply losing weight – a GREAT accomplishment in and of itself – Bill’s journey has brought him tremendous improvement in health and fitness, in frame of mind and perspective on life, in energy levels and in his relationships with others. Today Bill’s blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are all perfect. He attends aerobic and weight training classes three days a week, studies Tai Chi, rides his bike and carefully manages his diet and nutritional needs. Bill shares his journey, by writing and speaking about the topic of living healthy after gastric bypass.  For more information, please visit his blog at http://www.WHS-NewLife.com.

Contacts:

For WLSFA:

Yvonne McCarthy, Media Director
Yvonne@wlsfa.org
415-234-9074

For Bill Streetman:

bill@whs-newlife.com
614-327-7440

Notes:
1. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery.  The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common and successful type of gastric bypass procedure. The surgeon begins by creating a small pouch by dividing the upper end of the stomach. This restricts the intake of food.

Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), as well as the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). The procedure creates a direct connection from the stomach to the lower segment of the small intestine, literally bypassing portions of the digestive tract that absorb calories and nutrients.