Jason Radel

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

Back to School with Dr. Ron Iarussi
During the month of September, we will be featuring each of the school superintendents in Marion County, asking them each the same set of questions. We are using this as an opportunity to show their passion for education and their schools as well as a little glimpse about them. Today, we visit with Ron Iarussi, […]Read More »
Henry A. True
Gentleman. Scholar. World traveler. Book lover. Philanthropist. Henry Ayer True was all of these — and a member of one of Marion’s pioneer families. Henry A. True, who lived from 1879-1964, was the third Henry True in his family. He was a banker, having served as vice president and the largest shareholder of the Marion […]Read More »
Eaterarian Trail
MARION IS COOKING UP SOMETHING FOR EVERY PALATE I am not a connoisseur. I am not a gourmet. I am not a foodie. I am an Eaterarian. We all like to find those out-of-the-way eateries with great food, an unassuming atmosphere, and where having a laugh with your friends isn’t considered inappropriate. Marion’s Eaterarian Trail […]Read More »
Center Street Community Health Center
Take a peek at our video and find out more about the Center Street Community Health Center and why we are Marion Made. We challenge all Marion businesses to create a video showing why they too are Marion Made.#MarionMade #MarionProuD #WeAreCommunity #MarionChallenge #CSCHC Posted by Center Street Community Health Center on Tuesday, March 21, 2017Read More »