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Stories From Main Street: Franciscan Brother Bikes 550 Miles To Help The Poor

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- He's a brother on a bike pedaling for the poor.

"They call me the crazy brother for trying to do this," said Franciscan Brother Shamus, who used to be in St. John's University in Queens.

He has embarked on a 550-mile charity bike ride, making stops at five Dorothy Day Outreach Centers on the two-week journey.

Brother Shamus kicked off his trip on July 26 in Pittsburgh and is expected to reach his final destination, Catholic Worker – St. Joseph House in New York City, on Aug. 8.

Brother Bikes To Raise Money For The Poor

It's an arduous trek, but the 68-year-old said not even Stage IV cancer and chemotherapy could keep him off his bike this year, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.

"With the grace of God and also the modern miracle of medicine I'm able to do some cycling," he said. "I still have the side effects of the chemo cause I went through two rounds of chemo last year and two rounds in 2013, so I don't have the same strength that I had before."

But he doesn't let that slow him down.

"Through the miles, and through the sweat and through the cycling and the pedaling, at the end of the day I'm doing something that the Lord is asking me to do and that is to administer to those less fortunate and that's what feeds me," he said.

Every penny donated goes to Dorothy Day Centers, which provide food and assistance.

For information on how to donate, CLICK HERE.

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