On Sunday morning, 35 children at Lurie Children’s Hospital woke up fighting cancer, while just outside, 22 cyclists geared up for a five-day, 100-mile ride across Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin to support pediatric cancer research.
Shawn Horton, from Hugo, Minnesota, began training for the ride in May, not long after his 7-year-old son Felix completed his final chemotherapy treatment. Felix thinks his dad is crazy for biking such a long distance, but Horton, 38, sees the ride as a tribute to his son’s courageous battle.
I’ve never biked this far before, but enduring something difficult—though it’s nothing compared to what cancer patients face—is my way of honoring those kids,” Horton explained.
Each day, about 46 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer, yet only a small fraction of the federal cancer research budget—less than 10%—is directed towards pediatric cancer, according to the Children’s Cancer Foundation.
We’re raising money for pediatric cancer through 5Ks, bike rides, and lemonade stands. It’s clear we need more substantial support, said EJ Klage from North Aurora. She was there to cheer on the bikers, having joined forces with event organizer Cal’s Angels after her daughter, Megan Klage Sporny, was diagnosed with glioma, a highly aggressive brain and spinal cord cancer, in 2018.
This week’s CUREage Ride along the shores of Lake Michigan has already raised over $200,000 toward its $250,000 goal to fund pediatric cancer research. Unlike adult cancers, which can often be linked to lifestyle or environmental factors, the causes of most pediatric cancers remain largely unknown, with few treatment options available.
For my daughter’s type of cancer, there was only one treatment option, and when it didn’t work, we had no other alternatives,” Klage shared.
While dozens of FDA-approved drugs exist for treating lung and breast cancer in adults, only four are available to treat glioma, the cancer Megan fought for four and a half years before passing away in June 2023 at age 19.
A year before her death, Megan, a talented distance runner, participated in part of the charity bike ride using a handcycle. During the event, she met Kevin McDowell, an Olympic silver medalist and pediatric cancer survivor.
McDowell, from Geneva, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at 18 in 2011, just as he was preparing to compete in the Junior World Triathlon Championship. Cal’s Angels provided support for his family during treatment, even gifting him an iPad, which he called a lifeline during long chemo sessions.
Through his athletic achievements and participation in this ride, McDowell hopes to inspire children currently battling cancer.
I want these kids to know that even though this is a tough time, they can overcome it and take back their lives. They can come out stronger, McDowell said.
By 8 a.m. Sunday, McDowell and 21 others—parents, siblings, and supporters of pediatric cancer patients—began pedaling north along Lake Michigan. Their ride will conclude in St. Charles on Thursday.