OLD LYME — Chris Hoelzel of Old Lyme has a very good reason for participating in the Great Cycle Challenge this month, because when he was six-years-old, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
He was extremely fortunate to recover and tells LymeLine, “I will be 38 this year and I’m still going strong!”
Hoelzel isn’t taking things easy though. Determined to give back to the cause closest to his heart, this is now the third year in succession that he has joined the Great Cycle Challenge.
The Challenge raises money to benefit the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, enabling them to continue their work to develop lifesaving treatments. The organization’s ultimate hope is to find a cure for childhood cancer.
Hoelzel, who has lived his whole life in Lyme and Old Lyme — first attending Lyme Consolidated and then graduating from Lyme-Old Lyme High School — has set himself a goal of riding 99 miles during September.
He joins 133,366 other riders throughout the US, who together — as at today’s date — have already ridden a total of 946,603 miles and raised an astonishing $7,664,391.
After setting himself a personal target of raising $2,500.00 by the end of September, Hoelzel is delighted to report that he has already ridden more than 35 miles and raised almost $1,500.00.
Hoelzel says enthusiastically, “Getting out on a bike riding and raising money to fight kids cancer is a win-win. Every dollar counts when it comes to this cause.”
Expanding on why he feels so passionate about the cause for which he is riding, Hoelzel notes, “Right now, cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the United States. Over 15,700 children are diagnosed every year, and sadly, 38 children die of cancer every week.”
He adds, “Kids should be living life, not fighting for it,” urging people to donate to his ride because, “Your support will change little lives.”
If readers would like to support Hoelzel’s Great Cycle Challenge and his ride to fight kids’ cancer, visit his fundraising page at this link.
Editor’s Note: Go, Chris … we’re so proud of you!