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 upwrads of 450 kids every year in the USAalone. Due to its diffuse condition and location in the brain (the pons) it is inoperable and extremely hard to treat. There are not effective treatments for DIPG and the stand therapy, radiation, only provide transitory effects against such an unrelenting monster. Up to 400 children are diagnosed with DIPG every year in the USA. 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 in the Team will be directed towards pediatric cancer reserach and treatment at the Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO). 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