Cross-Country Bike Ride Benefiting Childhood Cancer Research Pedals Toward Margate

Team Will is coming, but you will have to be patient, 3500 miles is a long way to go on a bicycle.

The eight riders in the 5th annual Team Will coast-to-coast bicycle event, raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer research, left San Francisco on June 21st and will arrive in Margate on Tuesday, July 1st.

Team Will is named for William Keifer. In January 2004, just before his first birthday, William was diagnosed with a rare form of Childhood Cancer, Rhabdoid Tumor of the Kidney. Rhabdoid is an extremely lethal and aggressive cancer, with a survival rate of less than 25%.

Although undergoing a series of treatments and therapies to combat the disease, the aggressive tumor metastasized to his brain, and after only five months, William lost his battle with cancer.

In response to the tragedy of William's death, members of the Keifer family wanted to do something positive, so in 2005 Team Will was born.

This year the ride is crossing 13 states, visiting hospitals and participating in community rallies along the way. The fundraising goal for this year is $125,000.

As part of the culmination of this year's ride in Margate, Team Will will honor Danny Feltwell, a 5-year-old Margate boy who is in remission from childhood cancer. The story of Danny's battle with cancer is one many locals, myself included, have followed closely over the last few years.

I am thrilled to have asked by Danny's father, Dan Feltwell, to speak about Danny’s story at that ceremony and I invite you to attend Tuesday, July 1st at 11am in front of Lucy the Elephant, on the Decatur Avenue Beach in Margate!