Pessy Zeiger with her father, Mendy Zeiger, at the George Washington Bridge. Lazarus says “I ride for a dual purpose-to exercise and to raise tzedakah for a wonderful organization. “I’m not the oldest guy, though I have been in the past,” he reports. He was quick to mention that he is not the oldest rider, as had been circulated. Rider Avi Lazarus of Spring Valley, N.Y., retired last year from a career in the retails sales industry. He notes playfully that Pessy is a “much faster” cyclist, and they won’t be riding together so he “won’t hold her back.” They offer food, volunteers, guidance, help with insurance, and they understand the amount of work it takes and the logistics required for parents. They have knowledge of what it takes to have a child in the hospital. “The hospital stay would have been miserable. Mendy Zeiger can’t imagine what it would have been like going through his daughter’s cancer treatment without Chai Lifeline. To date, Pessy has raised $5,000 from 66 donors. They were real children undergoing suffering. Every year, when they put a child (who had benefited from Chai Lifeline’s kindness) on the dais at the pre-ride pasta loading, it was a tear-jerker. I knew about it before and have been riding in their rides since 2012. “Chai Lifeline is a wonderful organization. He then shares how he and his family have personally benefitted from the organization. He reports that he rides for his health, usually training in Harriman State Park. Pessy will be joined by her father, Mendy Zeiger. All the events and things they do throughout the year give me the strength to keep fighting!”Ĭancer survivor Pessy Zeiger, 19 of Monsey, N.Y., plans to bike the 65- to 70-mile route starting and ending off at Camp Simcha. To this day, these are my closest friends. We laugh together and share in each other’s triumphs. Zeiger is still closely connected to the Chai Lifeline family, which she says “got me to meet new friends going through the same situation I was in. I’ve been training for the past few months and am really looking forward to riding!” Now, after four years of intense physical therapy, my muscles in my leg are strong enough, and I’m able to bend my knee enough to get on a bike. Two summers ago, I got invited to share my story at the TDS pasta party the night before the ride, and I made it my goal to join the ride as soon as I would be able to. Now that I was part of Chai Lifeline, I heard so much about Tour de Simcha and wanted to do it so badly, but was unable to at that point. “Then I got cancer and was unable to get on a bike for five years. “With every mile they ride, they provide hope and joy to children facing serious pediatric illness and their families.“I was always athletic and loved riding, but was never majorly into it,” she recounts. “Participants in Bike4Chai and Tour de Simcha are an inspiration to all of us,” said Rabbi Scholar. “The unity and camaraderie throughout the ride reflect the devotion our cyclists have for the cause.”īike4Chai follows on the success of its sister ride, Tour de Simcha, which took place July 3 and saw 230 women ride 78 miles to Camp Simcha Special for girls. “The power of Bike4Chai emanates from the cyclists,” said Rabbi Sruli Fried, director of Chai Lifeline NJ and executive director of Bike4Chai. When we combine that with an activity they already enjoy, we have a recipe for success.” “People want to make a difference and they want to help.
“Bike4Chai gives people the opportunity to imbue something they love with meaning and purpose,” said Yoel Margolese, director of Bike4Chai. The cycling tour continues to grow, with record participation and funds raised this year. Following the emotional entry into the camp, celebrations continued with dancing and an award ceremony. On the afternoon of August 2, the cyclists arrived at Camp Simcha Special, Chai Lifeline’s overnight camp for children with chronic illnesses and medical challenges, where they were greeted by their friends and families as well as ecstatic campers and staff.
Along the way, cyclists stopped at rest stops stocked with food, drinks and supplies, as well as lodging and entertainment in the Poconos’ Kalahari Resort on Wednesday evening. Within an hour, the sun broke through the clouds, and riders enjoyed beautiful mountain views. The next morning, cyclists departed on their 180-mile ride through three states undeterred by the early rain storms. Soon, maybe one day, I’ll ride alongside you,” she said to a standing ovation.
Mikayla Hornick, a Chai Lifeline client and Camp Simcha camper, shared her personal journey and offered the cyclists words of inspiration.
0 kommentar(er)
