Going the Distance

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October 2021 View more

The third annual War on Wheels Ride to raise awareness of pediatric cancer kicked off its nearly 1,000-mile journey on September 28 at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. Cyclists will spend 14 days biking from the monument to the Cal’s Angels’ headquarters in St. Charles.

Since the beginning of the cross-country ride in 2019, WOW riders have biked over 3,000 miles to raise awareness of the ongoing battle and fight for a cure for pediatric cancer. This year, cyclists are covering a minimum of 80 miles per day, ending with back-to-back century (100+ miles) rides coming in from the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital on October 9. Among the riders are event founder Glen Galloway, a Cal’s Angels board member and parent of a stage 4 cancer survivor, along with board chair Ryan Phillips.

“The WOW Ride is a really special event, showcasing the lengths we are willing to go in order to provide the best treatment for children battling cancer,” said Stacey Wahlberg, cofounder and president of Cal’s Angels. “The riders have all been impacted by pediatric cancer in some way, so for them this ride is a chance to shed light on this, support their loved ones and continue to foster the conversations of improving treatment for pediatric cancer through more fundings and new laws.” She says the physical and mental battles the riders experience are worth it, knowing they are contributing to the ongoing support Cal’s Angels provides to children battling the life-threatening disease.

Cal’s Angels (calsangels.org) is a pediatric cancer foundation established in 2007 after Cal Sutter lost his battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. The nonprofit runs many programs to help kids fighting cancer, including wish granting and financial assistance, 12 Days of Christmas, Fantasy Flight, comfort kits, and monthly hospital parties. 

Photo courtesy Cal’s Angels