FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Haley, 16, of North Carolina has Ewing's sarcoma, an insistent form of bone cancer. Gabey, 3, of Pennsylvania is fighting brain cancer. Felicia, 6, of Philadelphia is three years cancer free.
A solo bicycle rider wears bracelets with these names on them to remember when he encounters rough roads, how much tougher the road is for children with cancer. Mark W. Davis also wears a bracelet with another name.
Lilly.
The former Fort Eustis garrison command sergeant major's 3-year-old granddaughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia shortly after her first birthday. Lilly underwent aggressive chemotherapy treatments, which included painful spinal shots. She is now in remission, but still requires maintenance treatments.
Inspired by his granddaughter's courage, Davis decided he had to do more than just donate money to an organization. An avid bike rider for more than 30 years, the retired Soldier created the Ride for Lilly. Davis started Aug. 21 in Philadelphia in a LIVESTRONG Challenge, a bicycle ride sponsored by cycling legend Lance Armstrong's charity. Riding more than 2,800 miles through 11 states, Davis is making his way to Austin, Texas, by Oct. 16 to ride in a second LIVESTRONG Challenge. He stopped at Fort Aug. 30 and shared his story with patrons at the Starbucks on Lee Boulevard.
"This ride is about influencing the perspective people have of pediatric and adolescent cancer," said Davis. "We want to raise awareness about childhood cancer and how it impacts families."
During Lilly's treatments, Davis has met many other families with children fighting cancer and numerous medical professionals working to find better treatment options. Again and again, Davis says he's seen the emotional and financial toll cancer takes on these individuals. Yet, he also says he sees a lack of sufficient funding and research into childhood cancer. He hopes his Ride for Lilly brings attention to this.
According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among U.S. children from infancy to 15 years of age. Even though the survival rate of childhood cancer has increased over the past 20 years, so has the rate for children diagnosed with forms of invasive cancer.
"We want people to become active in this fight. We want them to write to their government representatives about research funding for childhood cancer," said Davis. "People need to get involved; do more; help the families out."
During the ride, Davis has created what he calls the Chain of Children. From the families affected by this disease, Davis receives photos and bios of the children. He places the child's photo on the handlebars of his bike for part of the route and videos where he rides. The footage is then sent to the children to view where they have "biked" for the day.
"These kids we meet are absolutely amazing," said Davis. "They have to grow up so fast, facing things on a daily basis that lots of us will never have to face."
Davis isn't alone on his trek. His wife, Darla, drives the support vehicle during the ride and coordinates visits with hospitals and businesses. During the ride, Davis is visiting 11 hospitals that treat childhood cancer. One of his four daughters, Amanda, is creating local chapters for the Ride for Lilly. The family affair also runs a non-profit organization that assists families coping with childhood cancer.
"Until you have someone who is precious to you be affected by this disease, you don't realize what all you can do to help," said Amanda. "You can offer to babysit, give parents a part-time job who need time off to take their child to doctor appointments; until you talk one-on-one with someone, that's when it impacts them."
For Haley, Gabey, Felicia, Lilly and all the other kids who are battling this life-threatening disease or who have lost the fight, Davis says he'll keep peddling.