Nick Forgione
is going the extra mile

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Nick Forgione is an eternal optimist who never lets cancer or age slow him down.
But even Forgione — an 84-year-old from Somerton and a colorectal cancer survivor — was beaten down by a recent medical condition.
After having his left knee replaced in February, complications from taking iron pills caused a bowel obstruction. Surgery was not an option, since doctors removed a good chunk of his bowel after an obstruction in 2004.
The pain was agonizing.
"I coughed, spit and cried for ten days," he recalled.
Finally, the blockage cleared after doctors placed a gastrointestinal tube down his throat.
The positive outcome allowed Forgione to get out of a hospital bed and onto his feet, or to be more accurate, on the seat of a bicycle.
After being diagnosed with cancer in 1983, Forgione went on a strict diet and began exercising. Bicycling became his passion.
Over the years, he’s ridden more than 65,000 miles. On Sunday, he’ll compete in his 21st American Cancer Society Bike-a-thon.
The 35th annual ride, held rain or shine, starts at the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and goes to Buena Vista Camping Park in New Jersey. Cancer survivors lead the pack over the bridge to the theme song from Rocky. In all, it’s 69.3 miles.
There are alternate starting points at Cherry Hill East High School and at a country club in Hammonton, N.J.
More than 5,000 people are expected to participate, and organizers are hoping to raise $2 million.
Forgione, who’s been married for almost 63 years and will celebrate his 85th birthday on July 27, hasn’t been able to fully train for the ride due to the medical scare, so he’s considering hopping on his bike at one of the alternate starting points.
That way, he’ll be at the finish line in plenty of time for the Survivors Celebration, an event he chairs. All cancer survivors are given a medal and T-shirt, and their names and years of survival are announced.
"That’s a great celebration," Forgione said.
In the years that he has been associated with the bike ride, Forgione has raised more than $50,000 for charity. In addition, he’s given numerous speeches on behalf of the cancer society.
On his bike, he’s climbed the Manayunk Wall, rode from Fox Chase Cancer Center to the White House, pedaled through the five boroughs of New York and rode alongside Tour de France winners Greg LeMond, Miguel Indurain and Lance Armstrong at a charity event.
Competitively, he’s won medals at the Pennsylvania Police Olympics, the International Law Enforcement Games and the World Police and Fire Games. He even had the opportunity to ride on the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Citing his age and health issues, his daughter Lydia has suggested that he put away his bike for good. Yeah, right.
"I can’t do that," he said. "I’m going to hang on for as long as I can."
In fact, he’s eyeing the next time the International Law Enforcement Games comes to North America. He’ll be in his 90s by then.
"If they let me in with a three-wheeler, I might ride," he joked.
Despite the recent medical concern, Forgione is healthy. He works out religiously and doesn’t see a doctor.
Instead, the devoted St. Christopher Roman Catholic Church lector, usher and Eucharistic minister attends Mass every day and prays to God to take care of his medical concerns.
"He doesn’t charge me, there’s no co-pay, and he listens to me," he said.
Forgione is thankful that, besides beating cancer and other maladies, he’s lived through the Great Depression, World War II and his work as a prison guard, police officer and private investigator.
"I survived all of them," he said. "All in all, I can’t complain. God’s been good to me. I have so much to be grateful for. I owe a lot."
Forgione, who pays regular visits to nursing homes to cheer up residents, refuses to become what he calls a "cantankerous old man." He’s never joined a support group, instead preferring to be the one offering support. And, don’t call him a senior citizen. He’s much too active for that label.
"If I live to be a hundred, I won’t be a senior citizen," he said.
In a few days, Forgione will put on his helmet, gloves and riding gear and strap a water bottle to his bike and away he’ll go to help the American Cancer Society eradicate the killer disease.
It’ll take a lot more than cancer and other illnesses to knock this aging wonder off his seat.
"It’s been a great ride," he said. ••
Anyone who wants to make a donation can make checks payable to American Cancer Society — Bike and mail to American Cancer Society, ATTN.: Bike-a-thon, 1626 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. For more information, visit www.acsbike.org
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com