June, 2014 - Running The Country

As we ran into Zanesville, Ohio, today during a refreshing rainstorm, Courtney Wheaten, from Whiznews.com, called and said she’d like to interview David and me.

A few minutes later, Brandon, the camera man, and Courtney, the reporter, pulled up in their snazzy whiznews.com car.

You can watch the interview and read more about it here.

Although it didn’t survive the editing process, I also told Courtney that we dedicated today’s run to Dr. Eric Seralini, the French scientist who conducted the first long term animal feeding study involving Monsanto’s GMO corn and glyphosate.

“The study found severe liver and kidney damage and hormonal disturbances in rats fed the GM maize and low levels of Roundup that are below those permitted in drinking water in the EU. Toxic effects were found from the GM maize tested alone, as well as from Roundup tested alone and together with the maize. Additional unexpected findings were higher rates of large tumours and mortality in most treatment groups.” (http://www.gmoseralini.org/republication-seralini-study-science-speaks/)

Photos of the rats and their bulging tumors went viral on the Internet soon after the study was published.

Some time later, Seralini’s study was retracted for ridiculous, non-scientific reasons. Before this morning’s run, we learned that Seralini’s study has been republished in another scientific journal.

THAT good news sustained me throughout today’s hot and muggy run.

Thank you, Courtney, Brandon, and Whiznews for airing our story!

Thank you, Dr. Seralini and team for standing up to Monsanto and gang! Thank you for fighting back! Thank you for demonstrating that there are still independent scientists in the world who—despite Monsanto’s bullying tactics—research and publish the truth about GMOs.

Learn more about Dr. Seralini’s work at GMOSeralini.org.

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Brett Wilcox is the author of We’re Monsanto: Feeding the World, Lie After Lie. Brett and his 15-year old son, David, are currently running from coast to America coast promoting a GMO-Free USA. Brett and David blog at RunningTheCountry.com. Support their run and mission at RunningTheCountry.com/donate.

Thanks to Kristi East with The Casey Reporter in Casey, Illinois for writing the following story.

By Kristi East
Staff Writer
The Casey Reporter
June 19, 2014

Sitka, Alaska residents, David Wilcox (15), and his father Brett, began a long journey together on January 18, 2014, in Huntington Beach, California, the starting point of their cross country trek. Until recently, they were running around 20 miles a day, but due to protesting muscles and joints, they are now walking.

David was 12 years old when he learned that the youngest person to complete a cross-country trek was 17 years of age. He decided he could do that and talked about it relentlessly. His family decided to support him.

David’s mother Kris, and sister Olivia (13), and one of their four legged friends, Angel are traveling with them in a truck, pulling a camper. The girls consult the map for their next stop, approximately 20 miles away, and go ahead to set up camp and wait for Brett and David. Also on the road with the boys is their dog Jenna, who walks until she gets tired, then jumps into the 3 wheeled running stroller they have with them that carries their supplies (water, light snacks, cell phone, etc.)

The Wilcox family is trying to raise awareness for GMO’s, Genetically Modified Organisms, an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, and to promote a GMO-free USA. The Wilcoxes are opposed to seed corn companies who inject seeds with chemicals designed to change the DNA of the seed.

“Actually, there are GMOs in more things than you would think,” said Kris. “Almost all sugars are made with GMOs.”

Flagstaff, Arizona was the highest point of their trek at 7,800 feet above sea level.

They traveled through a Navajo reservation Star School and then headed to Route 40 on Route 66.

The family spent Memorial Day weekend in St. Louis, Missouri, and walked into Casey on Thursday, June 5, having completed around 2,000 miles. They hope to finish their journey in New York, in mid-July.

Brett is a mental health therapist and Kris has her own cleaning service, but both have taken the time off to help David realize his cross country dream. David and Olivia are homeschooled, and take online classes with their school.

So far, they have been through two starters, two alternators, two flat tires, and a battery. The Wilcox’s are traveling on their own funds but welcome donations. Donations can be made online at RunningTheCountry.com, which has their complete story and blog, or mailed to Brett or Kris Wilcox, 2105 Sawmill Creek Road. Sitka, Alaska 99835.

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Month: June 2014

Whiznews.com Interview in Zanesville, Ohio

Alaskan family on cross country trek, makes stop in Casey