You never know when you’re going to need some help. Whether it’s something simple like changing the tire on your bike, or something complicated like navigating a health issue with your child, it’s great to have someone you can depend on. That is why the Riedel family rides the courage classic every year to help fund raise for Children’s Hospital Colorado.
As most of you know, the Riedel family lost our Martha, daughter and sister, after a nearly seven-year battle with cancer. Children’s was there for Martha and the Riedel family from the very beginning to the very end. Martha never let statistics affect her ability to stay hopeful that there was a path to a cure, and the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s in Aurora was there throughout the battle providing options and supporting Martha’s desire to live. For that, the Riedel family is eternally grateful.
Despite being in treatment much of the 7 years after her initial diagnosis, and going in and out of remission multiple times, Martha had a good life. Being told she had cancer at age 13 Martha essentially grew up overnight, and as result she had an agenda: getting shit done. For example, Martha enjoyed being outside as much as possible and at an early age fell in love with snowboarding and cycling. She raced mountain bikes for the Boulder high mountain bike team for all four years she was there, racing numerous times while receiving chemotherapy. Martha grew as an artist as well, taking 4 years of ceramics classes at BHS and becoming an exceptional potter. She honed her artistic skills in numerous other mediums like watercolor, stamp carving and hand sketches. It did not stop there, thanks to the pandemic, when she became an exceptional foodie who cooked her parents healthy meals after all her siblings had gone away to college. Martha was always scheming on the next thing she was going to create, and you name it, if Martha could find a video on YouTube about some cool craft or project, she would do it.
Without the help of Children’s Hospital of Colorado, she couldn’t have done all that. And without that help, our family wouldn’t have witnessed Martha grow from a 13-year-old girl into a 20 year old, “say it like it is” woman. Again, we are very grateful.
So, please help us thank Children’s Hospital Colorado for everything they do to help kids stay healthy, recover from an illness, or in Martha’s case fight for their lives. Please donate to Martha’s memorial fundraiser by clicking the pink "Donate Now" button at the top of this page.