Why I Ride! 2025 Courage Classic Bicycle Tour
We ride in memory of our daughter, Samantha—our fierce, funny, and extraordinary little girl who lost her battle with mitochondrial disease just after her fourth birthday.
We also ride in honor of my brother, Ryan, who lived with adult-onset mitochondrial disease. Ryan was an incredible father, son, brother, and friend whose courage and determination inspired everyone who knew him. His journey reminded us that mitochondrial disease doesn't only affect children—it impacts people of every age, often in ways that are misunderstood and invisible.
And today, we ride with an even deeper understanding of what it means to navigate complex medical challenges. Our family has spent countless days in hospitals, waiting rooms, and doctors' offices, learning that hope and heartbreak can exist side by side. Those experiences have only strengthened our commitment to ensuring that other families have access to the best care, earlier diagnoses, better treatments, and, one day, a cure.
We ride for the gritty, resilient families we've met along the way—families who continue to face mitochondrial disease with incredible strength and grace every single day.
We ride for Children's.
We are so fortunate to have this extraordinary hospital in our backyard. The physicians, nurses, researchers, and specialists at Children's never stopped fighting for Samantha. They stood beside Ryan throughout his journey, and they continue to dedicate their lives to finding better treatments, advancing research, and giving families hope when they need it most.
We ride for Children's.
Our cause is deeply personal, but the impact reaches far beyond our own family. Through Summits for Samantha, together with our incredible community of supporters, we have raised more than $2 million for the Mitochondrial Program at Children's Hospital Colorado. Those funds have helped support clinical research, advance patient care, and provide CoQ10 supplements for families across the Front Range who depend on them.
We will never be able to repay what Children's has given our family. Their care gave us four unforgettable years with Samantha. Their commitment brought Ryan compassionate, expert care. And their work continues to give hope to every family beginning this journey.
Thank you for believing in this mission, for riding beside us, and for helping us create a future where no family has to hear the words, "There is nothing more we can do."
With gratitude and love,
Heather
