If you think that sounds like a challenge, consider what it is like to battle a urea cycle disorder.

Jim Stavas was a strapping, healthy fire captain for 30 years in Napa Valley when he fell into coma after a simple sinus surgery. Doctors thought Jim had a stroke, but he was not responding to treatment and near death. Jim had been misdiagnosed.  He was actually in coma from high ammonia levels due to a rare metabolic disorder -- a urea cycle disorder -- triggered by the sinus surgery. Friends searched the Internet for a clue to his symptoms and contacted the National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation. NUCDF put Jim's wife, Carol, in touch with urea cycle expert Dr. Gregory Enns at Stanford. Jim started responding to treatment, and began a long struggle to recover from devastating brain injury.

Jim fought valiantly through 18 months of rehabilitation for stroke-like symptoms and a series of hospital-borne infections. He never recovered functional speech or mobility.  His devoted wife, Carol, was by his side day and night caring for him. On October 1, 2007,     Jim Stavas lost his battle with urea cycle disorder.

On October 30, 2011 we ride in memory of Jim and in hope that one day no child or adult will suffer or die from urea cycle disorders.

Did you know that missing one little enzyme in your body could cause brain damage, coma and even death? Most people don't, until their loved one is affected.

Children and adults with urea cycle disorders (UCD) have a deficiency in one of six enzymes in the liver necessary to detoxify ammonia, which is produced by our bodies when we eat protein. The ammonia builds up to toxic levels in their bloodstream, causing learning disorders, developmental delays, brain damage, coma, and if untreated, death.

Every day more infants, children and adults are diagnosed with this devastating disorder and the fight for their lives begins. The National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation is their lifeline, and their hope for research that will conquer this disorder forever.