Lake Bluff man walking cross country for friend

A long and difficult journey began May 19, the day Alex Arobelidze, a Lake Bluff resident and an employee of Ferentino's Pizza in Lake Forest, departed on a walk of more than 2,400 miles for longtime friend and manager Joseph Urso.

Urso, a father of seven children ages 3 to 13, was diagnosed with stage 1 pancreatic cancer in October 2010. With around $300,000 in medical bills — some of it paid by insurance, the rest out of pocket — Urso continues to support a large family under difficult circumstances.

In order to help his friend financially, raise awareness and give hope to anyone fighting cancer, Arobelidze, 36, left from Joliet on May 19 and by way of the historic Route 66 walking path plans to end the three-month journey in Santa Monica, Calif., on Aug. 22.

He has walked more than 500 miles so far. On Thursday he was in Phillipsburg, Mo., in south central Missouri near Springfield.

“It's a difficult physical challenge,” Arobelidze admitted.

Urso is absolutely amazed at Arobelidze's dedication.

“I was moved by the human compassion Alex showed in doing something so difficult physically and emotionally,” Urso said, referring to the solitary nature of the trip.

Arobelidze prepared for the journey by going shopping at Outdoor World in Gurnee Mills: a backpack, water bottle, canteen, special hiking boots and running sneakers.

“You name it, he's got it,” Urso said.“Everything's on his back.”

On the road, Arobelidze's challenges are many: unpredictable weather, food and lodging, health risks. Each day requires extensive planning.

“There are two parts to this journey: what you think you know and what actually exists,” he said from Missouri.

“Places are not equally distributed. One day might be a 20-mile trip, another 30 miles.”

Arobelidze has kept a record of miles and made an effort to take pictures. Walking along historic Route 66 has been interesting, to say the least.

“I've been seeing a lot of deterioration along Route 66 as time passes,” he said. “Beautiful historic towns with boarded-up windows, a loss of businesses and popularity. It's very unfortunate.”

By staying in the least expensive lodging possible and eating at local diners, Arobelidze says he learns something new each day.

He tries to keep the interest in his trip fresh by contacting local media. People who hear about him seek him out to tell him their stories, both profound and sad.

From phone calls from friends to strangers coming up to chat, Arobelidze is never alone.

“You can't even imagine how many people I've met that can relate to (the fight against cancer),” he said. “It's heartbreaking to hear their stories.”

In a recent conversation with a couple he encountered, Arobelidze learned the wife's father died two years ago from pancreatic cancer.

“She started crying as I was telling them all about what I was doing, and I couldn't figure out why,” Arobelidze said.

“Then the guy said, ‘I wish I had friends like you,' and I told him, ‘You probably do.'”

Arobelidze's grandmother and father both had cancer — the latter died from complications with liver cancer.

“My mission, if nothing more, is to give people hope. I feel for everyone,” he said. “I'm not saying I'm going to change the world, but I believe my sweat and sacrifice will give people the strength and knowledge to fight.”

A special fundraising account at Lake Forest Bank and Trust has been established on behalf of Urso (account 7200030031).

Although he does not keep up with how much money has been raised, Arobelidze hopes it will make a difference.

“I gave him a first dollar as a symbolic gesture, but it was by no means a contribution,” Arobelidze said.

To Arobelidze, Urso is a fatherly figure and individual who has achieved a great deal. For Urso, Arobelidze is an inspiration.

“No family or close friend has volunteered to do anything even remotely comparable to this,” Urso said.

“It restores your hope and belief in the basis good of human nature. It proves there are selfless individuals who just have enough caring in them to sacrifice any gain and fame and accolades in the attempt to just do something meaningful for another human being.”

Urso calls Arobelidze each day to check in.

“He contacts me every half an hour,” Arobelidze said, laughing.

Arobelidze's selfless act speaks of his regard for Urso, Urso's children and anyone in a similar situation.

“Perhaps Alex has gotten some good out of life before and this is the idea of paying back,” Urso said.

“On the other hand, maybe he believes in paying forward, meaning someone might be there for him when he needs it someday.”