What would you do to make a wish come true for someone you cared about? For Anne Evans and Lu and Mo Kuhta, they ride their bikes from Cheboygan to Milford.
On July 31, the Clarkston residents will participate in the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s ‘Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour,? a 300-mile trek, over three days, that raises money for the foundation’s commitment to provide wishes to seriously ill children and young adults across the country.
For Evans and the Kuhta sisters, the ride has an even bigger significance beyond helping others: Lu, a junior at Clarkston High School, is a cancer survivor making the ride for the first time.
‘I think what makes it so incredible is that Lu is making the ride after she’s been through everything,? Evans said.
While at a basketball camp one summer, Lu began having pain in her leg. The pain was the result of a tumor, which developed into osteosarcoma, the most common form of bone cancer and very prevalent in children and adolescents.
Spending most of her eighth grade year in treatment, Lu went through 17 total surgeries, chemotherapy and rehabilitation to eliminate the cancer. In order to keep up with school, Lu was put in contact with Evans, director of student support services in Clarkston.
Evans had already been involved with the foundation’s ride fund-raiser. (This summer’s marks her fourth appearance in the ride.) Once she started working with Lu, she carried a picture of her in bag when on the rides. She’s had one with her ever since.
‘For the last two summers, I’ve had Lu’s picture in my bag and so when I feel like I’ve hit a wall, I think of all Lu went through,? Evans said.
Now cancer-free Lu, who has an artificial metal knee, is making this summer’s ride with Evans and sister Mo.
‘It’s cool that Lu has gone through so much and now she’s doing this,? Evans said.
Lu decided to participate in the ride after a friend’s involvement with the foundation. Lu will be the recipient of her own wish as well in the near future.
‘The hardest thing is choosing what you want,? Lu said. ‘You can go on a trip or meet someone.?
The three have been training since May and are part of the 12-member ‘Biker Babes? team. Even a broken foot couldn’t stop Mo from riding on a stationary bike.
‘The best way to train is to ride a lot,? Evans said. ‘When the weather gets nice, I just ride a lot.?
Each participant in the ride must raise $500 to donate to the foundation. The student council at CHS donated $500 to the sisters for their efforts.
‘They’ve all been really generous,? Lu said.
The ride is broken into three days of 100-mile treks.
‘Lance (Armstrong) makes it look easy,? Evans said. ‘You’re pretty tired at the end of the day.?
Food and drinks are available along the route every 8-10 miles for the riders with 40-50 vans following behind in case of an emergency.
‘You don’t lose a lot of weight on this ride,? Evans joked. ‘They do feed you.?
Nights at the campsites are spent sharing stories of loved ones, or personal experiences, with others. On the final day, all participants are given matching jerseys to ride into Milford with.
For each of the three ‘Biker Babes,? the ride means something important to each one.
‘I just want to see if we can do it,? Lu said.
Raising awareness was an important goal for both Mo and Evans.
‘I’m excited to see the number of people that come out and support it (ride) and Make-A-Wish,? Mo, a freshman at Chicago’s DePaul University this fall, said.
‘The goal is to bring awareness to it,? Evans said.
If you would like to make a contribution to the ‘Biker Babes? ride, checks can be made out to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and sent to the Kuhtas at 8865 Reese Rd., Clarkston, MI 48348. To learn more about Michigan’s foundation and upcoming ride, visit www.wishmich.org.