BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Michael McBride's faith and tenacity seem limitless.

The Kentucky resident, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor six years ago, set out Thursday on a 548-mile bicycle ride from his home to Panama City Beach to spread joy and raise money for the American Cancer Society.

McBride, of Nortonville, Ky., has a glioblastoma brain tumor, one of the most common and most aggressive types of tumor.

On Thursday, he pedaled out of his driveway, toting a small trailer loaded with clothes and supplies. His goal was to reach Panama City Beach by Sept. 12 or 13 and collect donations for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life along the way.

"I'm a joyful person, and I hope that through this ride somehow Jesus Christ can take some of this joy out of me and spread it," McBride said.

He and his wife, Melissa, made plans to meet at his destination, but about an hour after the sun set on Friday, McBride was sideswiped by a driver while traveling on a road outside of Cullman.

He and his bicycle escaped relatively unscathed, but his trailer was heavily damaged.

Instead of letting the wreck interrupt his trip, he took comfort in the kindness of a Falkville police sergeant who responded to the scene and the hospitality of a Cullman couple and the monks at St. Bernard Abbey. The Wal-Mart in Cullman donated a new trailer to help McBride complete his journey.

"This place is full of kind people," McBride said. "Of course, Jesus Christ is above all, but these people have really helped me through this. I'm a very determined person, but I couldn't have done this ride without them."

The police sergeant investigated the wreck site and determined that it was a felony hit-and-run, but McBride harbors no ill will against the driver.

"I'm just going to forgive and forget," he said.

McBride was touched by the generosity of the St. Bernard monks, who gave him a place to stay for the weekend and some money.

"I went downstairs to get my bags and there's $100 left on my bed," McBride said. "I was bawling at that time, then somebody knocked on my door, and I thought 'This is probably Jesus himself.'"

In fact, it was one of the deacons, offering further donations and support.

Despite the wreck, McBride plans to ride out of Cullman with renewed excitement to complete the second half of his journey. He and his wife expect to ride through Birmingham sometime on Monday.

"I'm riding for kids; I'm riding to inspire people; I'm riding for drug addicts, alcoholics, homeless people, everyone," McBride said. "Most of all I'm riding for Jesus Christ. Maybe he can do something through me."

Melissa McBride is meeting her husband in Cullman, and they plan to travel together down to Panama City Beach, a city that holds a special place in both of their hearts.

McBride worked for years as a coal miner but resigned after his diagnosis, and his wife teaches special needs children.

Throughout several years of marriage, the couple has visited Panama City Beach on vacation, and Melissa has taken Michael to the beach to get him out of his bed and get his mind off his health. Both think it is the perfect destination for Michael McBride's long trek.

"The lord spoke to him and wanted him to do this," Melissa said. "(Panama City Beach) was such an important place that has helped him with his struggle with cancer."

Since his diagnosis, McBride has received significant support from his family, his doctor and the American Cancer Society, and he wants to ensure others remain hopeful when faced with similar obstacles.

Everyone he has met along the way has some personal experience with cancer - either themselves, a family member or a close friend has been diagnosed.

"The thing that I'd like for families to know is that if they have a family member who has cancer, don't run from them, run to them," he said.

Watch a video about McBride from Indiana news outlet tristatehomepage.com here: