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:
“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.
This 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.”
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.
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