Caleb Canal, 2025 Team Captain
Donation Advocate, Tyler, TX
“My name is Caleb and I ride to say thanks. Donation is a medical miracle, but when you think about it, it’s also a miracle that people can think about others even in the darkest of times. One family made that decision to donate after the loss of a loved one, and that was a miracle for my family.
My brother was in desperate need of a heart transplant and the only way that it was able to happen was in a moment of immense grief and loss, a family decided that the story wouldn’t end there. So, I ride to say thank you to that family and to all families and individuals who selflessly donate blood, marrow, organs and tissue.
And I say with them, whatever I have, if you can use it, if it can save a life, COME AND TAKE IT!”
Jennifer Alpard
Living Kidney Donor, Houston, TX
“Our son underwent a life-saving liver transplant when he was a year old. He is now a healthy 22-year-old graduate of Texas A&M University.
I had always wanted to give back and in 2021, I donated a kidney to a stranger. I want to share my story and be the support to someone who may be considering being a donor.”
Gabe Canal
Donation Advocate, Tyler, TX
“My brother, Joshua, received a heart transplant enabling him to have many more years of a very productive and happy life.
When Josh’s heart began to fail, he was again put on the transplant list but was unable to find a donor. When he passed away, he shared his life with others through tissue donation”
Tim Connor
Living Kidney Donor, Aubrey, TX
“In 2020 I had an encounter with God that would change the trajectory of my life. While scrolling through Facebook, a friend had posted that someone was looking for a kidney. I heard an audible voice telling me that I should give them mine.
As I started to learn more about the process of kidney donation, I was told that I was too overweight to donate. The day after I received a rejection letter from the hospital, I started riding my bike to regain my health. After 200 consecutive days of riding, I was able to donate my kidney in January 2021.
Since completing a full recovery, I have continued my journey by completing bucket-list cycling rallies/races all over the country.”
Seth Cooke
Donation Advocate, Tyler, TX
“My brother passed way 19 years ago in a motorcycle accident and was a donor.
Being able to connect with other families that have been through similar events, you learn to love, laugh, cry and heal. I want to help further donation awareness.”
Tim Dixon
Donation Advocate, Trinity, TX
“Being involved with organ and tissue donation as a funeral director has allowed me to see the healing that begins when the family makes that hard choice to have a loved one give the gift of life.”
Melanie Hartman
Kidney Transplant Recipient, Happy, TX
“In 2003, I was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and needed a kidney transplant. My life revolved around dialysis and hospital stays until my gift of life from my brother, Randy.
Since transplant, I have been able to accomplish many goals that I thought were unattainable. I’m an active mom, finished college and enjoy an amazing life with my family and friends.
This tour gives me the opportunity to advocate for the need for transplants while honoring and celebrating donors and their families.”
Todd Monsen
Living Kidney Donor, Waco, TX
“After watching my friend, Matt, go through kidney failure and an unsuccessful transplant, I knew I needed to see if I was a candidate for donation. I was blessed to donate my kidney to him in May 2023.
Since my donation, I’ve completed a full distance Ironman triathlon, an Ironman 70.3, a marathon, and hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim. I hope my story and experience can help others make the decision to become a donor.”
Sarah Pipkin-Love
Heart Transplant Recipient, Corpus Christi, TX
“I received a heart transplant on June 30, 2010, from a 14-year-old young man that had spoken with his family about organ donation.
When I was waiting for my transplant, I just wanted to talk with someone my age that had been through the same things I was going though. I want to be that person for someone else and help them. I am also a recipient of blood and platelets. It has taken many people’s life-saving donations to help save my life.”
Matt Shane
Kidney Recipient, Hewitt, TX
“I was born with a rare, chronic kidney disease. It did not affect my life growing up, but I was involved in a bike accident in 2019 which caused my kidneys to shut down and I needed a kidney transplant. I received my kidney in 2020 from my cousin who gave me a second chance of life.
Two years later, the initial transplant began showing evidence of rejection and I needed a second transplant. My good friend Todd was tested to see if he could be that donor. In 2023, Todd donated a kidney giving me a wonderful gift of life.”
Gary Van Kuiken
Donation Advocate, Kensington, CA
“After happily participating in 10 rewarding LSCOL Bike Tours while living in Texas, I retired in 2019 and moved to California. But I have found I could not stay away!
The positive influence of organ, tissue, and blood donation on so many individual lives, for so many families, and LSCOL’s support of this, was too much to resist. The shared stories and experiences of numerous recipients, donor families, riders, and supporters have beneficial to all involved and triggered others to register as donors.”
Dan Walters
Donor Advocate, Argyle, TX
“Organ donation is near and dear to my heart. We lost our daughter in 2013. She was an organ donor and able to save the lives of eight people. We have only had the pleasure of meeting our daughter’s heart recipient and hope that one day we can meet the rest.
I had the pleasure of being a day rider on a past tour and knew that one day I wanted to be a team member and help spread the word of organ, eye and tissue donation. We attended the Transplant Games of America twice as a donor family and the experience was fantastic.”
Support Team
Keith Steward, Head Support
Kidney Transplant Recipient, Gatesville, TX
“I received a kidney transplant from a living non-related donor in 2007, and I want to share the message of the need for donors”
Joe Canal, Support
Parent of a Recipient & Donor, Tyler, TX
Joe is the parent of Joshua Canal, whose life was saved in 1998 through a special family who donated their teenage daughter’s heart after she died in a tragic accident. Years later, when Josh’s transplanted heart began to fail, he was again put on the transplant list. This time, however, a donor was not found in time.
At Josh’s passing, he became a donor, gifting many of his tissues to others to give them life. Joe is a former team captain and served as a rider on the team for many years.
Chris Clemes – Tour Mechanic
Houston, TX
Chris has been a mechanic for many teams throughout the state. This is his second tour with the Lone Star team.
Debbie Fendrick, Head Pace Car
Donation Advocate, Temple, TX
This is Debbie’s 8th Lone Star Tour. As head pace car driver, she helps keep the team safe and going where they need to go.
Debbie has spent eleven years volunteering with the Baylor Scott & White Child Life Department on Camp Dreamcatcher, a camp for Children with cancer that allows the children to enjoy a normal summer camp experience while still receiving the necessary specialized medical care they need.
Kathy Folley, Navigator
Donation Advocate, Temple, TX
This is Kathy’s second tour with the Lone Star Circle of Life. She rides with the Pace Car to assist in leading the team on the route.
Holly McCoy, Tour Photographer and Videographer
Donation Advocate, Pflugerville, TX
This is Holly’s 13th Lone Star Tour. She is the team photographer and videographer who captures each tour on film.
Debbie Mabry, Tour Coordinator
Donation Advocate, Temple, TX
“Having been a member of all of the Lone Star Circle of Life tours, I have seen first-hand the impact of this event. I have had people come up to tell me they started donating blood because of the message they heard at the tour, as well as many who have told me they joined both registries because of this tour.
This is a life-changing event for the riders and for those who hear their message.”
You are invited to support the efforts of the 2025 Lone Star team by helping supply items on our “Wish List”
These donations help keep our costs down an enable us to make the Lone Star Tour happen!
