Pedaling to Make a Difference
The Marion community probably remembers River Valley School student Alex Cooper’s story. In 2013, at the age of 13, Alex received the diagnosis of osteosarcoma cancer in his right leg. In April 2016, Alex lost his fight with this terrible disease. Alex’s uncle, Jason Radel, a Marion County Engineer’s Office employee, decided he needed to do something to battle this invasive disease and wanted to make a difference. What began with wanting to improve his own health by riding his bike, became a way Jason could honor Alex’s memory, while supporting cancer research.
Each July, Jason rides his bicycle to raise funds for VeloSano-Bike to Cure, a campaign of the Cleveland Clinic. VeloSano is Latin for “swift cure.” This is not something that Jason felt comfortable doing at first, between the exercise and reaching out to the community to help with fundraising; but, to beat this awful disease, Jason has reached out of his comfort zone and found a community which supports him and the cause with faith and love.
Over the last four years of riding, this community has contributed over $22,000, supporting Jason’s ride with VeloSano, for cancer research. This year he rode 200 miles and raised funds from those who generously gave their support to this effort. They included the Chester Arbor Life Insurance Society, Marion County Auditor’s Office, St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall), and many other individual supporters. It yet again shows the generosity and compassion the Marion community has for those in need.
#MarionMade #GiftOfGiving #VeloSano
