Harrison Strickler's passion for cycling fueled his desire not only to fight his cancer but to help other youngsters battling the illness.
So yesterday, Harrison helped lead 65 cyclists on a ride departing from and returning to the Weinstein Center for Recreation at the University of Richmond to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
The ride also marked the second year to the day that the 10 year-old from Richmond stopped treatment for leukemia.
"I want to do it to help the kids," Harrison said, minutes before cyclists clad in orange T-shirts -- his favorite color -- took off for either a 5or 10-mile trek.
"I've been through it. I want to get them feeling better," he said.
His father, Al Strickler, said the timing of the "Tour de Harrison Victory Lap" fundraiser was pure serendipity.
"This is the best Father's Day gift any father could ask for," said Strickler, who rode with his son.
John Warren of Richmond agreed. He, his wife and three children rode "because cancer has touched our family on both sides," he said, adding they wanted to help others on Father's Day. The ride was held in conjunction with Rally Across America, a charity bicycle ride benefiting the Rally Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and funding for childhood cancer research.
"We have emerged from this stronger and healthier," said Leslie Strickler, Harrison's mother. "We just appreciate life, and after two years we felt like we were at the point we could give back."
As of yesterday, the Stricklers had raised half of their $25,000 goal mainly by calling family and friends. Donations can be sent to Rally Foundation, 5775 Glenridge Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.
Austin Bauman was one of two Rally Across America cyclists who pedaled with Harrison yesterday. The cyclists are on a five-city, 1,000mile fundraising trek.
"The kids just love the bikes and everyone loves the kids," Bauman said. "It's a good way to raise money and awareness."
Harrison learned how to ride a two-wheeler at age 4. He once won a Halloween costume contest dressed as Lance Armstrong with an Eiffel Tower on his head.
But the following year, he was diagnosed with leukemia. At night, his mom said she would get in bed with him and tell him to imagine he was biking up a mountain to help "mentally train" her son to battle for his life.
Two years later, Harrison met Armstrong.
"It's amazing how the whole bike theme ran through it all," Leslie Strickler said.
Contact Robin Farmer at (804) 649-6312 or rfarmer@timesdispatch.com. To see more of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timesdispatch.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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