BRYAN MCCLURE

Having experienced the loss of a close friend and classmate when in the fourth grade and now dealing with another friend suffering from cancer, Bryan McClure decided to do an annual bike ride to help raise funds for this cause. While living in Howell, Michigan, Bryan’s first friend had battled cancer since she was in kindergarten. Now, within the last two years, the second friend, Victoria, age 11, has been diagnosed with cancer and has undergone chemotherapy one week per month at C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Victoria’s family does not have a lot of money and has very little insurance. Knowing that, Bryan wanted know how they would pay their bills. His mother told them that the hospital would continue to treat Victoria, in spite of that fact. Bryan wanted to help out in whatever way he could. He decided to do a bike ride and ask people for pledges. He rode from East Lansing, where he currently lives, to Howell, where Victoria lives and where Bryan previously lived. He spoke to the East Lansing Kiwanis, stood up in front of his congregation at People’s Church and in June of last year, he rode from the East Lansing Public Library to the Howell Public Library, collecting about $2,000 dollars in gifts and pledges. Pat Michaels, a Channel 6 weatherman in Lansing, who also attends People’s Church, rode with Bryan.

Bryan, at age 13, rode again this year on June 15, 2002, from Hannah Tech Center at Michigan State University to First United Methodist Church of Howell, where Victoria met the riders. This 40-mile ride helped to raise thousands of dollars to help with Victoria’s battle of cancer. Pat contacted the Mid-Michigan Mountain Biking Association and the Tri-County Biking Association to ride along. Bryan also had some friends from People’s Church Youth Group join him. Participants either raised money or paid $25 dollars to ride. He has received recent media coverage from WKAR and the ZOOM show, a PBS show for kids nationwide. The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News did articles about last year’s ride, as did the Livingston County Press.