Anthony Smith, born with cystic fibrosis, is the grandson of retired Sanitation Worker Bob Cawthorne. Sanitation Worker Ed "Shevy" Shevlin of Queens East District 14 will drive his Harley Davidson motorcycle cross country and back starting July 14 from Rockaway Beach, New York, to Rockaway Beach, Oregon, to help raise awareness for cystic fibrosis, an often fatal disease. "Shevy's Ride for Breath" on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), is estimated to cover 8,000 to 9,000 miles round-trip.

Shevlin, a longtime member of the Sanitation Department's Emerald Society and a former member of the organization's award-winning Pipes and Drum Band, is riding in the name of Anthony Smith, born to U.S. Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) Eric Smith and Claire Cawthorne Smith of Savannah, Georgia. Anthony, the grandson of retired Sanitation Worker Bob Cawthorne, who worked in Queens East District 14 on the Rockaway peninsula, was born with cystic fibrosis. Shevlin will be joined by his friend, Mike Gallagher, a sergeant with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority on the cross-country adventure that coincides with Sergeant Smith's second tour of duty in Iraq.

Sanitation Worker Ed "Shevy" Shevlin astride the Harley Davidson motorcycle. Shevlin is not new to motorcycle runs on behalf of lifethreatening diseases. He has motored for breast cancer awareness with fellow members of the New York City chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG). "I wanted to turn this [motorcycle run] into something positive, and after contacting the CFF, it took on a life of its own," Shevlin declared.

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that affects 30,000 people in the United States, and 30,000 in other parts of the world. According to the CFF, the disease causes the body to produce abnormally thick mucus that clogs airways and often leads to life-threatening lung infections. Cystic fibrosis also obstructs the pancreas, preventing the absorption and digestion of food. People afflicted with this disease normally don't live past their 30s.

Deputy Chief Thomas Doyle, president of the Department Emerald Society, said the organization has raised more than $80,000 in the last 20 years towards finding a cure for cystic fibrosis, mainly through their annual golf outing. The next golf outing will be held on September 27, 2007 at the Dyker Beach Golf Course in Brooklyn. To participate, contact the DSNY Emerald Society a t www.dsnyemeraldsociety.com. All proceeds go to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.