Hello - The Courage Classic honors children who have been diagnosed with cancer. My own daughter Juliana was taken by DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) on 3 March 2019 after 53 weeks following her diagnosis. Juliana was only 10 years and 8 months old. DIPG is the deadliest pediatric tumor affecting upwards of 450 kids every year in the USA alone. Due to its diffuse condition and location in the brain, the pons or brainstem, DIPG Is inoperable. In addition, no effective treatments exist for DIPG and the standard therapy, radiation, provides only transient results against such an unrelenting monster. In spite of the odds, one common theme across DIPG and all pediatric cancer patients is the amazing and nearly unparalleled courage they all demonstrate. Such courage and resilience were shown by Juliana every day of her fight. She never gave up! The current paradigm of DIPG needs changing. DIPG is not a rare tumor, it is neglected. Awareness as well as research and treatment funding should be elevated to meet this challenge. Our children deserve better!
Join me and the Wheels of Justice Bike Team during this event in Copper Mountain, CO, or help us raise money for such a worthy cause by donating to this campaign. All of the funds raised by the Team will be directed to the Center of Blood Disorders and Cancer at the Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO) and will be applied towards pediatric cancer research and treatment. Every donation counts!
The Courage Classic is not only a personal challenge, but also an opportunity to support positive outcomes and healthier futures for children.
V/r
Marcelo Ramalho-Ortigao, DSc/PhD
Juliana's dad
Fort Collins CO