CHILDHOOD CANCER · RILEY'S STORY
Riley was four years old when he was diagnosed with Pineoblastoma, an aggressive cancer affecting his brain and spine. During treatment, Riley lost his ability to walk independently.
Then an adaptive bike gave him something cancer had taken away: the chance to move, play, and ride with his older brother again.
Riley on his purple adaptive bike
His treatment was extensive. Riley underwent proton radiation to his brain and spine, high dose inpatient chemotherapy, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. As treatment progressed, Riley lost his ability to walk. After a relapse, he learned to crawl, but he was never able to walk independently again.
Then a friend told Riley's family about an adaptive bike opportunity through Project Mobility.
Adena wrote Riley's story and explained why the bike mattered. She wanted her son to regain some of the freedom of movement he had lost.
Riley was too sick to attend the event where the recipients were announced. Then the phone call came.
All three children in the contest were going to receive adaptive bikes. Adena, Riley, and his older brother, Aidan, went to The Bike Rack to see Riley's bike.
It was purple. It was adaptive. And it gave Riley the opportunity to do something he had lost the ability to do on his own.
Riley got on the bike and took off.
His mom remembers his smile and his laugh. She remembers him riding around the store and realizing there was no stopping him.
Later, Riley was able to ride alongside his brother and experience moments of freedom and childhood that meant far more to his family than anyone could have understood simply by looking at the cost of a bike.
Adena later remembered how incredible it was to watch a child who could no longer walk independently have enough strength in his legs to ride his bike. She said Riley talked about that bike with everyone.
Riley eventually passed following a second relapse with brain cancer.
His family remembers him as a sweet boy who touched the hearts of the people around him. Among the memories they continue to treasure are those moments when Riley rode his bike and Adena found herself running after him just to keep up.
“To just be a kid again and ride bikes with his older brother.”Adena, Riley’s Mom
Adena found out about one possibility because someone told her about it. She applied. She explained what her child needed and why it mattered. And one resource gave Riley something cancer had taken away.
That is what financial advocacy can look like.
It is understanding the need, learning what may be possible, telling the story clearly, taking the next step, and continuing to look for ways to help a child receive what they need.
For Riley, one of those possibilities was a purple adaptive bike.
For his family, it became something much bigger.
“Again you guys are amazing and changed our lives more than you can imagine.”
Adena
The National Family Resource Awareness Campaign will help more families discover The Funding Project’s resources while bringing together family prizes, product partners, sponsors, and national outreach.
The Sweepstakes is not open yet, but families can learn more and be among the first to know when it launches.
