Biking more than 5,000 miles across the country to raise funds for cancer research as part of the Rally Across America, two recent college graduates say the challenge is nothing compared to those battling cancer.
Austin Bauman, 22, and Tom Reardon, 21, made a pit stop yesterday at the Children?s Hospital at Sinaiwhere they met 6-year-old Amelia Osborn, who has battled leukemia for two years.
Bauman and Reardon are stopping in 20 cities in three months in an effort to raise awareness about childhood cancer and raise money for research.
“I realized that childhood cancer research is underfunded by $30 million every year and 46 kids are diagnosed every day,” Bauman said.
At every stop, Bauman and Reardon dedicate their visit to a child at one of the area?s hospitals. They chose Amelia to represent Baltimore.
Dr. Jason Fixler, an oncologist on the team of four working with Amelia, said, “we?re the ugly stepchild of adult cancer, so it?s great to raise awareness.” The money pharmacies put toward cancer medications for adults is substantial whereas pediatric medications are limited, Fixler said. He says he hopes this bike ride will raise necessary money and said Amelia deserves the attention “because she?s damn cute.”
In their first month, Bauman and Reardon already visited eight cities beginning in Atlanta and raised more than $60,000 through fundraisers with Outback Steakhouse, Aflac, Vineyard Vines and personal donations.
“It?s a great fundraiser because you don?t have to spend a lot to get it rolling,” Bauman said as he leaned against his bike and joked about gas prices.
Staying with families and eating granola bars while riding, the Vanderbilt graduates said they can?t imagine a better way to spend the summer.
“Sometimes it?s hard when you hear these kids? stories,” Reardon said. Matt, chosen to represent Atlanta, died two days before they arrived to meet him, but Reardon said he has met other great children and plans to stay in touch with them through e-mail.
Amelia and her brother Grayson, 8, brought their own bikes to show Bauman and Reardon.
Amelia said she was excited to meet Bauman and Reardon, because, “They raise money for cancer and I get to ride my bike.”
Completing a one-month treatment Wednesday, Amelia is doing well, said her mother, Emily. “She just finished kindergarten, missing only seven days,” Emily said, “and she continues to wow us.”
The Rally Riders? Next Stops
» Philadelphia
» New York
» Boston
» Scarborough, Maine
» Rochester, N.Y.
