Bike 1,000 Miles for Team Offrink
Donation protected
My former teammate Shelby Tomczak Offrink and her husband Ben Offrink are BOTH battling cancer.
In February 2014, shortly after the birth of their second daughter, doctors diagnosed Shelby with Grade IV glioblastoma of the spine. This extremely rare form of cancer includes unimaginable pain and paralysis. After nearly a year of treatments, in January 2015 Shelby’s doctors found three tumors in her brain. As if that wasn’t enough, Ben’s Hodgkin’s lymphoma relapsed a third time. Both are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation and Shelby is hospitalized.
Shelby and Ben have two beautiful daughters Mauve (3) and Hazel (1). In addition to their medical costs, Shelby and Ben have normal everyday expenses and bills; most importantly care for Mauve and Hazel.
Shelby and Ben’s family, friends, and community, also known as “Team Offrink”, have coordinated numerous fundraisers raising thousands of dollars. Thank you all for your generosity.
Recently Shelby’s good friend Kristy said something that continues to ring in my ear: “They’ve had to endure more than any family should.” Kristy hit the nail on the head and it made me want to endure a challenge to help Team Offink.
After hours of deep thought I created a challenge for myself. I will bike 1,000 miles in 30 days. Honestly I cringe at the thought of how much work it will be, but then I quickly come back to reality and think of the battle that Shelby and Ben face every day. Four hours on a bike every day is nothing compared to cancer.
Similar to sponsoring a friend in the American Cancer Society’s Walk for a Cure, my goal is to raise money through sponsorships for my 1,000 mile ride. You’re welcome to give as little or as much as you would like, but I’m suggesting a $10 donation. I hope to deliver at least $1,000 to Shelby and Ben on day 30.
Will you sponsor me to support Shelby, Ben, Maeve, and Hazel?
If you need me, I can be found on a bike in the Lansing YMCA.
Shelby and Ben have two beautiful daughters Mauve (3) and Hazel (1). In addition to their medical costs, Shelby and Ben have normal everyday expenses and bills; most importantly care for Mauve and Hazel.
Shelby and Ben’s family, friends, and community, also known as “Team Offrink”, have coordinated numerous fundraisers raising thousands of dollars. Thank you all for your generosity.
Recently Shelby’s good friend Kristy said something that continues to ring in my ear: “They’ve had to endure more than any family should.” Kristy hit the nail on the head and it made me want to endure a challenge to help Team Offink.
After hours of deep thought I created a challenge for myself. I will bike 1,000 miles in 30 days. Honestly I cringe at the thought of how much work it will be, but then I quickly come back to reality and think of the battle that Shelby and Ben face every day. Four hours on a bike every day is nothing compared to cancer.
Similar to sponsoring a friend in the American Cancer Society’s Walk for a Cure, my goal is to raise money through sponsorships for my 1,000 mile ride. You’re welcome to give as little or as much as you would like, but I’m suggesting a $10 donation. I hope to deliver at least $1,000 to Shelby and Ben on day 30.
Will you sponsor me to support Shelby, Ben, Maeve, and Hazel?
If you need me, I can be found on a bike in the Lansing YMCA.
Organizer
Kate McPherson
Organizer
Lansing, MI
