Get information about COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and visiting standards. Learn More.

Progressive Pediatrics graphic

Progressive Pediatrics is a blog written by Dr. Marc Gorelick.

One mission accomplished

While I am not the world’s most avid cyclist, I’ve been biking regularly to work since the late 1990s. So when someone biking through town needed a place to crash for the night, I pretty much had to say yes. Especially when that cyclist was riding thousands of miles to help kids.  

Jorg Richter is an amazing guy. He’s a retired firefighter from Germany who, last March, began his third cycling trip across America to raise awareness for rare pediatric diseases. He pedals alone, covering about 50-70 miles a day, stopping in small towns and big cities, meeting with anyone who will hear his message:  

Dr. Gorelick, Jorg and Dr. Schultz“I’ll be riding my bike every day on my own in solidarity with these brave kids. There will be days that are more difficult than others, but I know I can’t stop because these children need people to know about what they’re going through.” 

Jorg rolled into Minnesota in June, and my wife and I were delighted to host him for a night. While here, he stopped by Children’s Minnesota Minneapolis campus to meet one of our Kid Experts, Dr. Kris Ann Schultz. Dr. Schultz (in the photo, right) is the Scientific Director of our Cancer and Blood Disorders program. Her research focuses on rare cancers. 

I’m happy to say that, in early September, Jorg accomplished his cross-country mission. Here he is (below) in Connecticut, touching his front wheel into the Atlantic, about 160 days after starting out in Walnut Grove, California. 

The timing of Jorg’s accomplishment couldn’t be better.

Jorg with his bikeThis month, like every September at Children’s Minnesota, we’re shining an extra bright light on childhood cancer and blood disorders. 

When you donate to Children’s Minnesota this month, you’ll help thousands of kids, and their families, right here in our region. Our cancer and blood disorders program cares for more than 3,500 kids every year.  

To learn more or make a donation, please visit Shine Bright for Kids Fundraiser | Children’s Minnesota (childrensmn.org) 

We rely on your donations so we can continue surrounding every child with highly specialized, deeply compassionate care; so we can continue our journey to the day when these diseases are no longer a threat to children. 

So one day we, like Jorg, can say “mission accomplished.” 

Headshot of Dr. Marc Gorelick, president and CEO of Children's Minnesota

Marc Gorelick, MD

President, chief executive officer

Marc Gorelick, MD, is the president and chief executive officer (CEO) at Children’s Minnesota. He is deeply committed to advocacy issues that impact children’s health, sustainability and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

Learn more about his book, “Saving Our Kids: An ER Doc’s Common-Sense Solution to the Gun Crisis.” All proceeds from the book will be invested back into Children’s Minnesota gun violence prevention work. 

Follow me on LinkedIn.

More from Progressive Pediatrics

In the news: Three simple things we can do to prevent another child from dying from a gun.
The recent gun death of a 3-year-old Minneapolis boy highlights the urgent need for gun safety in the home. There are three simple steps we can take to keep children...
In the news: Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal sit down on gun violence and what we can do
Dr. Marc Gorelick, Children's Minnesota president and CEO, sat down with the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal to discuss his perspective on the gun crisis in America and what we...
Pediatrics and the power of independence
Because we are independent, we never have to face the question: Are we going to invest in our pediatric mission or our adult mission? Kids always come first....

Children’s Minnesota CEO releases new book

Dr. Marc Gorelick, president and CEO, released a book, “Saving Our Kids: An ER Doc’s Common-Sense Solution to the Gun Crisis, which offers a compelling approach to the nation’s gun crisis. 

M0792_Q4_GTMD_Web_Marquee_1200x675

Your donations make it better. For Minnesota kids.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.