Local cyclist competes in challenge, rides in honor of 9-year-old who lost battle to cancer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Wednesday, local cyclist Ricardo Andreu told Action News Jax miles on his bike are about more than a good workout.

He said, “It’s definitely more than just people riding bicycles. It’s about pediatric cancer research.”

Andreu explained he’s one of 90 riders in the Great Cycle Challenge USA honoring Carolyn DeWaele’s son, Joe.

The Jacksonville 9-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019.

The mom described, “The first words out of my mouth were ‘we can’t lose him’, and it’s a promise I couldn’t keep.”

According to DeWaele, Joe’s 9 month battle with the disease was filled with clinical research and trials – treatment continued until his death in November.

“It was the worst say of my life‚” DeWaele said, “We have come across hundreds if not thousands of children in the same it not worse positions. There’s not one of them that does not deserve this money.”

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

Childhood cancer awareness month

Throughout the month team #JoeStrong celebrated the 3rd grader’s kind heart with their distance and donations from loved ones.

There’s among teams across the country raising money for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund by racking up mileage on their bikes.

The funds are for the 15,000 American kids diagnosed with the disease each year.

Andreu explained, “The goal is to raise as much money and as much awareness as possible to fund this research, so, that kids can stop dying.”

DeWaele said she appreciates every person pedaling, pushing for a cure.

She explained, “He didn’t die in vain, his life meant something and it’s making an impact. There are no thanks that I could give that would be adequate.”

Click here to learn more about innovation and research for a childhood cancer cure.

Click here to learn more information about Great Cycle Challenge USA - Teams - Team #Joestrong

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