Cycling is something I enjoy, but knowing that 38 children die every week in the United States of cancer is something that upsets me. So in September, I am joining the Great Cycle Challenge to raise money for children’s cancer research.
As readers of This Retirement Life, I am hoping you will support me in this worthy fundraising goal. Last year, more than 105,000 riders participated, raising more than $2 million. With your help, we can do even better this year.
How You Can Help Me Fight Kids’ Cancer
Here is how it works: Bicyclists sign up to participate and set both mileage goals and fundraising goals for the month of September. My goals are to ride at least 150 miles during September and raise at least $500 for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF), sponsor of the Great Cycle Challenge.
You can help me and support children’s cancer research in one of two ways:
#1 – Donate to help me achieve my personal goal of raising $500 during the month of September. The CCRF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations go for children’s cancer research and are tax deductible to the full extent permissible by law.
When you donate, you may make a one-time, fixed-amount payment, such as $10, $25, $50 or $100. Or, you may choose to sponsor me on a per-mile basis at one or the suggested levels below:
10 cents per mile x 150 miles = $15
25 cents per mile x 150 miles = $37.50
50 cents per mile x 150 miles = $75
$1 per mile x 150 miles = $150
#2 – Join the team and ride! I’ve created a team for readers of This Retirement Life called Boomer Bikers 4 Kids. After registering yourself on the Great Cycle Challenge website and setting your own personal goals, you can choose to join the team Boomer Bikers 4 Kids. Together, we can raise even more money for children’s cancer research! Join the team here.
Riding will begin Sept. 1, but you may donate at any time by giving here online to the Great Cycle Challenge.
About the Great Cycle Challenge
The Great Cycle Challenge began in 2015. In only five years, the annual fundraiser has raised $24,615,507in support of research to develop better treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer. Riders from all 50 states have ridden a total of 18,831,310 miles.
The CCRF also sponsors Great Cycle Challenge events in Canada and Australia as well as an annual charity walk and various other fundraisers that you can learn more about here.
Riders can ride solitary or in groups. They can count miles they ride a bike commuting to work or running errands, cruising around their neighborhood or town, or longer rides on bike trails. There is even a spin bike challenge for those who prefer to ride indoors.
You will be able to track my mileage and progress on my personal page on the Great Cycle Challenge website. I plan to ride four to six times per week, with shorter neighborhood rides during the week and at least one longer ride each week around town or on a bike trail. I will share progress reports on This Retirement Life and on the blog’s Facebook page during the month of September.
About the Children’s Cancer Research Fund
The Children’s Cancer Research Fund was a relatively unknown entity at the University of Minnesota until Katie Hageboeck, a 13-year-old cancer patient, asked that her savings for a new bicycle be instead donated to the CCRF. Katie unfortunately lost her battle with cancer, but her parents remembered her support for the CCRF. In 1981, they launched a fundraising event for the CCRF called Dawn of a Dream, which remains a major annual fundraiser for the charity.
Today, Children’s Cancer Research Fund is a national nonprofit that has contributed $186 million to research, education and awareness and quality-of-life programs for childhood cancer families.
Before deciding to support the Great Cycle Challenge, I did my homework. This charity gives an impressive 81 percent of its donations directly to programs. It keeps overhead and marketing costs low. It has a platinum ranking for transparency from GuideStar, which rates nonprofits. You can donate with confidence to the CCRF.
Please Help Support My Ride
I love my bike, but I’m not one of those guys who normally rides 150 miles a month. I’m doing this to help raise awareness and money for children’s cancer research. It’s a shame that any child has to suffer with cancer, let alone die from it. Will you please help me and help the kids? You can make a donation today by clicking this link. Or, register yourself for the Great Cycle Challenge and join the team, Boomer Bikers 4 Kids, and help us raise even money together.
Thanks, readers and friends. Stay tuned for periodic progress reports.
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