Daily Sitka Sentinel

Sitka Family to Run with Message Across U.S.

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    A Sitka family is hoping that a long run – and a new, self-published book – will make at least a small difference in the health of Americans.
    David Wilcox, a 15-year-old Southeast champion runner, and his father, Brett, plan to leave in January for a run across the country from California to New Jersey.
    Mom Kris and David’s sister Olivia are providing support for the 3,000-mile journey as the family carries a warning message about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the corporate giant Monsanto.
    The trip was borne out of David’s stated desire to run across the country, becoming one of the youngest people ever to accomplish that feat.
    His parents said the family was supportive of his dream.
    “If one of us is doing it, we’re all doing it,” Kris said, but noted, “Olivia and I have no desire to run the whole thing.”
    The Wilcoxes plan to stop along the way to meet with people, give public talks and give media interviews to spread their message and sell Brett’s book.
    “While we’re on the road, we’re going to visit farms and farmers and document their stories,” Brett writes on his Indiegogo fundraising site, which launched today. “What do they think of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), patented seeds, Roundup and other poisons? We’re going to hold meetings, give presentations, and talk to the media.”
    He adds: “We’re not going to tell people that they have a right to know what’s in their food. We’re going to show them why they need to know what’s in their food. We’re going to expose the fraudulent stories pumped out by the corrupt chemical giants.”
    Running sends an additional message of the importance of exercise in a healthy lifestyle. “For us, it’s all one and the same,” Brett said.
    If David successfully completes the trip, he will be the second youngest person to run the entire way across the United States on foot. (The Wilcoxes learned recently that a young man accomplished the feat in 1928.)
    But before the family departs Sitka in January, there is still a lot of work to do, Brett said. That includes fundraising to cover the costs of their trip, and publicizing Brett’s new book, “We’re Monsanto: Feeding the World, Lie after Lie.”
    The family kicks off its efforts today with an online crowd-source fundraiser through Indiegogo.com. Under the name “Running for a GMO Free USA,” the Wilcoxes hope to raise at least part of the estimated $50,000 they will need for the seven-month journey. Brett said at press time today that he was pleased with the strong start to the campaign.
    The second event is a book signing 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at Old Harbor Books.
     “We’re Monsanto: Feeding the World, Lie after Lie,” is about the contradictions Brett has found between what the corporate giant claims and what he has found to be the truth. He plans to follow up with a second book.
    A “Fund Run” is planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at Moller Field, where David will run a “marathon” (100 laps) around the Moller track. Sponsors are invited to sponsor David with donations per lap or with lump sum contributions.
    “Or you can stop by and run,” Brett said. He added that there will be an information booth there as well.
    Kris said the family sees the cross-country run – and effort to share information about GMOs – as both an individual and collective endeavor.
    “People are supporting an individual, but hopefully supporting something that will affect everyone in a positive way,” she said.
    “We feel it’s a critical mission,” Brett said. “It’s the future of agriculture in America and the world.”
    The Wilcoxes will host an information booth at the Dec. 14 Monthly Grind, and Brett will give a reading from his new book 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Kettleson Memorial Library.
    The Wilcox run across the country will start in Huntington Beach, Calif., and proceed along Route 66 then along the American Discovery Trail. There will be stops in St. Louis, Mo., the home of Monsanto, and Washington, D.C., before ending at Cape May, N.J.
    The website for the run itself is www.runningthecountry.com