For the 12th year, Mike McIntyre will spend September riding his bicycle to raise money for children fighting cancer.
And at 75 years old, he has a pretty simple explanation for why he keeps doing it.
“I have lived a healthy and long(ish) life,” McIntyre wrote in an email to the Upper Merion Area Spotlight. “Kids should also be living life, not fighting for it.”
McIntyre participates each year in the Great Cycle Challenge, a nationwide cycling fundraiser benefiting the Childhood Cancer Research Fund. Tens of thousands of riders across the country log miles and raise money throughout September in support of pediatric cancer research.
Each year, McIntyre dedicates his ride to a child who has battled cancer.
This year, he's riding in memory of Niko, a fellow Eagle Scout who died from brain cancer at age 16, shortly after earning his Eagle Scout award.
Niko's Connection to LEGO
While undergoing cancer treatment, Niko found comfort in building LEGO sets.
When it came time to complete the community service project required to become an Eagle Scout, he decided to collect LEGO sets for the children's hospital where he had received treatment.
His original goal was around 70 sets.
According to McIntyre, Niko collected more than 800.
That story is part of the reason McIntyre will spend two weekends this month with a fundraising table outside the LEGO Store at the King of Prussia Mall.
But there's another local business involved in his effort, too.
Popcorn — and Platelets — Provide Another Connection
Through his involvement with childhood cancer fundraising, McIntyre says he learned about the need for platelet donations among pediatric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
He decided to do something about that, too.
McIntyre now donates platelets approximately every other weekend.
A recent Red Cross platelet donation led, somewhat unexpectedly, to another partnership for this year's fundraiser. After receiving plastic popcorn holders as a promotional gift from the Red Cross, McIntyre happened to walk past Clusters Popcorn at the King of Prussia Mall a few days later.
He struck up a conversation with the owner about the Great Cycle Challenge, platelet donations and his fundraising efforts.
Clusters decided to help.
McIntyre says the store will offer a discount of up to 30% to customers who make a donation at his table and has donated one of its large popcorn tubs, valued at $70, to be raffled off. A donation at the table will also earn an entry into the raffle.
Where to Find Mike
Andrew from Clusters Popcorn (left) with Great Cycle Challenge rider Mike McIntyre at McIntyre’s fundraising table at the King of Prussia Mall.
McIntyre will bring his Great Cycle Challenge table to the King of Prussia Mall over the next four weekends.
🍿 This weekend and next: Outside Clusters Popcorn Saturday and Sunday (11-6 pm).
🧱 Following two weekends: Outside the LEGO Store Saturday and Sunday
Visitors can stop by, learn more about his ride and the Great Cycle Challenge, and support his fundraising effort.
And then, come September, McIntyre will get back on the bike for year number 12.
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Thank you for reading,
Corey