Q: When you’re not cycling, raising funds and working, what do you like to do?
I’m a scientist, a tinkerer and an inventor in my own right (Jeff has a PhD in economics with a background in microbiology and chemistry). Solar [power] is a big hobby of mine. I have 21 kilowatts of solar on the roof of my house, which is about seven times the amount my house uses. So I supply power back to the grid. I’ve been a net power producer for two years.
I have a lithium-polymer-iron phosphate-battery-powered car. That’s how I get to work every day. I’m also designing and building an electric plane. A battery will get [the plane] to cruising altitude and then solar panels will carry it from there. Right now, to get to Phoenix and back it costs $300 in fuel. To fly solar, it would be 50 cents or a dollar.
Q: What legacy do you hope to leave with the Foundation?
I’d like to leave behind an Arthritis Foundation that is twice the size – both financially and resource-wise – as it is today.
The Arthritis Foundation needs to lead research into new areas. But it can only do that if it’s funded better. RA is a very complex multiple group of diseases, it’s not just one disease, and there are many different cytokines – those little chemical proteins – involved in inflammation. The way we’re going to understand that better is pure academic research.
We also have a real shortage of research rheumatologists and clinical rheumatologists, especially pediatric rheumatologists. One of the things that attract people to rheumatology is that the Arthritis Foundation offers rheumatology fellowships. So if we don’t do it, no one will.
I’d also like to see access to care become something we don’t have to worry about anymore. A lot of people need treatment but because of high co-pays or a complete lack of insurance can’t afford it. It comes back to all of us – you, me, staff, volunteers – working together to help grow the Foundation to where it can do more for patients with arthritis.
