WHY I RIDE

I ride for my brother, Brett. Brett was a sweet and fun-loving 14 year old boy who was diagnosed with an Anaplastic Astrocytoma grade 3 brain tumor in June 2014. He received treatment at St. Louis Children's Hospital during most of his 3 ½ year fight and tried several chemotherapies and surgeries with some success. However, the tumor began growing in different parts of the brain including the brain stem, so he was enrolled in a stage 2 clinical trial at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.

Before Brett became ill with brain cancer, my mom and dad would tell him there was a special place in heaven for him. He was such a good kid. Brett's life was taken from him at 9:00 pm on January 10, 2018. Brett fought for 3½ years and endured 5 different chemotherapies and/or immunotherapies, 6 brain surgeries, several blood transfusions, countless hospital visits, trips to the doctor and needle sticks. He lost so much during his fight against brain cancer and was robbed of his childhood. I miss my big brother and I don't want other kids to go through this. You can make a difference by giving to Pedal the Cause.

I also ride for my teacher, Mrs. Debbie Modesto. Mrs. Modesto taught me Art and I really liked her.

Brett received outstanding treatment at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Lurie Children's Hospital, but there is so much research left to do to find a cure or better treatment for children fighting brain cancer. ​We will find a cure someday and​ ​your donation​ ​helps make this possible! I am proud to join Pedal the Cause in the fight against cancer. Pedal the Cause is more than the region's top cycling event. It's a way of life, a celebration, and a movement fueled by the courage to end cancer.

It takes world-class research to create a world without cancer. Please help me in this journey by donating to my ride, and give with confidence knowing that 100% of your donation will go directly to accelerating cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children's Hospital.