September is associated with the start of many long-awaited activities: football, fall, pumpkin patches, cooler weather and pumpkin spice everything just to name a few. For Miller Family Homes, September brings the Great Cycle Challenge.
From the Great Cycle Challenge website:
“Great Cycle Challenge started in 2015, and after just 6 years, the event has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in the United States.
People of all ages, abilities and from every state across the country set themselves a personal riding goal and challenge themselves to pedal to fight kids’ cancer. This year the challenge will take place throughout the month of September.
In 6 years, our community of riders from all 50 states has ridden a total of 25,602,464 miles, and together we’ve raised $39,166,855 in support of research to develop better treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.
Why? Because over 15,700 American children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and sadly, 38 children die every week.
We’re riding to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve, and we believe that any one individual can make their personal impact to fight cancer and save little lives…
So we’re calling on all Americans to get on their bikes this September and join our movement to kick cancer’s butt!
Great Cycle Challenge USA is a national Children’s Cancer Research Fund (CCRF) fundraising initiative held throughout September.
OUR VISION
Our vision is a world without cancer where all kids are living life, NOT fighting for it.
DONATE WITH CONFIDENCE
We’re committed to complete transparency and accountability with our financial information and how fundraising dollars are used to further our mission. As a result, CCRF is recognized for meeting all 20 standards by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance; we are a GuideStar Platinum Participant; and, we meet all the accountability standards from the Charities Review Council.”
You can learn more about the Great Cycle Challenge on their website: greatcyclechallenge.com
MILLER FAMILY HOMES RIDERS
Last year was the first year that Miller Family Homes participated in the Great Cycle Challenge as a team. Together we raised $1605.56 and cycled 404.8 miles. We’re joining in again this year with the goal to raise $1,000 and ride 1500 miles.
Our team of riders this year is comprised of Dinah and Astyn. While Astyn is a newcomer this year, Dinah not only participated last year but also is the organizer and leader of the Miller Family Homes Riders.
THE “6 YEAR LEGACY” BADGE HOLDER
This is Dinah’s 6th year participating in the Great Cycle Challenge! She has a special accolade from the Great Cycle Challenge known as the “6 Year Legacy” badge because of her involvement with the organization. We wanted to learn more about what the Great Cycle Challenge means to Dinah and how she got involved in it.
How did you initially hear about the Great Cycle Challenge and what made you want to get involved?
In April of 2016, I found out about the cycling challenge through an exercise buddy of mine. I decided since I usually spin in the morning, that this would be a no-brainer and figured it would help me keep on track.
What is your best memory while participating in the Great Cycle Challenge?
Last year when we put together a team here at Miller Family Homes!
Your goal this year is to ride 200 miles, how many miles total have you rode over the last 6 years for the Great Cycle Challenge?
Over the last 5 years, I’ve ridden 1,316 miles.
Why should people donate to the Great Cycle Challenge?
This is a great organization! This money goes to cancer research for children. Not for oversight. Please see the webpage Great Cycle Challenge USA – About – The Cause – About CCRF Read Katie’s story and you can see why this is so important.
How can people get involved in the Great Cycle Challenge if they would like to do more than donate?
They can join alone, create a team or join our team!
How do the miles you ride for the Great Cycle Challenge tie into raising money?
The miles do not tie like most. Your donation is your donation. Regardless of the miles!
What motivates you to take part in the Great Cycle Challenge year after year?
In 2016 when I first did this, I found out later in that year I had breast cancer. I was lucky. Mine was caught at the earliest possible timing and by having a double mastectomy, I did not need any other further treatment. Cancer is scary enough when you are an adult. I can’t imagine as a child or a parent of a child with CA. Every year, we get closer with more remissions and cures. Let’s just all work together to end childhood cancer!
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED & HELP US FIGHT KIDS’ CANCER
We would love for you to help us meet our goal and donate to the fight against childhood cancers!
DONATE: If you want to make a monetary donation, you can do so on our Great Cycle Challenge Donation page here.
JOIN OUR TEAM: If you want to learn more about our team or join it, you can do so on our Miller Family Homes Riders Great Cycle Challenge page here. Important Update: You don’t have to have a bicycle to join our team! Stationary bike rides, spin classes, Pelaton and Nordictrack rides all can count towards the challenge miles. One of our team members is using an under-the-desk pedal machine to “ride” their miles! There are also many options in Wichita for places that you can rent a bicycle through Bike Share ICT. Learn more about Bike Share ICT here.
PARTICIPATE: Join our Group Ride on September 21st at Sedgwick County Park! This is a come-and-go, no-cost event. Just bring yourself and your bike to participate. No bike, no problem! There are Bike Share ICT bicycles that you can rent off the parking lot just to the west of the 13TH Street entrance to Sedgwick County Park. As a thank-you for participating, you’ll get a free t-shirt handed out on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Group Ride Details
We’re planning to meet at Shelter #1 in Sedgwick County Park near the 13TH Street entrance between 5:30-6:00 pm. We’ll have Miller Family Homes employees and volunteers handing out water and t-shirts until 6:30pm. You can ride with the group departing around 5:45pm or you can choose your loop and ride solo. Check out our Facebook event that we’ll be posting this coming week or you can learn more on our Group Ride page here.
We have a Google map so that you know where to meet and with more details here.
If you would like to make a monetary donation to the Great Cycle Challenge the evening of the Group Ride, you’ll be able to do so with a credit or debit card.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up-to-date with all that we’re doing with the Great Cycle Challenge. We’ll post our results after the challenge is complete in October!
GREAT CYCLE CHALLENGE 2021 UPDATE!
As of September 27th, 2021, with 3 days left in the challenge, we have raised $2,289.20 to fight kids’ cancer, ridden a total of 244.9 miles and hosted a group ride in which we were joined by Miller Family Homes team members and a member of the community. Keep an eye out for next year’s ride and Great Cycle Challenge details so that you can participate and help us fight childhood cancer!
There is still time left this year for you to make a donation! Check out our team page here to do so!
Thank you for your support and to all of those who donated and helped us raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund!