Martha passed away at home on April 15 th , 2022, three months before the Courage Classic. She had ridden every Courage Classic since her diagnosis in 2015. Always committed to riding bikes and raising money, Martha registered in January, with every intention of riding in 2022 too. Many years she road through treatment, days or weeks out of chemo, if not during. Her care at Children’s Colorado and in Boston was top notch and her love for her hospital care team knew no bounds. She loved the Courage Classic, seeing her caregivers, friends and family push their limits and challenge themselves in one of her favorite activities was icing on the cake. We wish Martha was here riding with us this year, and it will never be the same without her.

I ride because I am a cancer patient and have received amazing care at Children's Hospital Colorado.

I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma when I was 13, on the second day of 8th grade. After seven months of treatment at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) I was cancer free.

I've experienced some ups and downs over the following 6 years marked by periods of NED (no evidence of disease) and cancer relapses. I'm back in treatment again and the chemo regimen I'm on is working. I have adapted to living my fullest life even while on chemotherapy. I'm not going to let cancer define me. I turned 20 in January. In my freetime I like to make pottery, mountainbike, paddle board, and cook.

The level of care I have received at children's hospital is beyond amazing and I am so grateful for all the people that have helped me over the years. Riding in the Courage Classic and raising money is just one of the ways I can show my gratitude towards my care team.

My goal for the 2019 Courage Classic was to be the number one fundraiser, and I did meet that goal, riding for the Wheels of Justice Team, raising over $120,000 for the CCBD at Children's Hospital Colorado! The pandemic has been hard for everyone, especially all the families that have had to receive a childhood cancer diagnosis on top of it all. Despite a pandemic Children's hospital Colorado continued to provide amazing and life saving care to me and many other children and young adults. The CCBD at Children's Hospital Colorado needs your help. The money raised through The Courage Classic goes directly to improving patients lives. So if you can help, please make a donation. And help me to get to #1 in 2021.

Thank you so much!

Love, Martha

P.S. You can follow my journey by visiting the Caring Bridge website and searching for "Team Martha"