Duathlon to raise funds for children with cancer

MILLbrook — Pulse Cycling and Fitness on Franklin Avenue in Millbrook opened a year ago and has had an impact on the community beyond just providing a means to becoming fit. Owner Lori Cassia-Decker also sits on the board of directors for the Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation. Cassia-Decker in 1996 co-hosted a fitness fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children Hospital with the owner of World Gym in Pawling, Judy McElroy. Cassia-Decker said that the two women were pregnant at the same time and after doing the event continued to do work together in the fitness industry. Cassia-Decker said one day she walked into work and saw a cap on the counter with a picture of a boy who reminded her of her own children.“I saw that his family was raising funds for him to have experimental treatments for a rare bone cancer, Ewing Sarcoma,” said Cassia-Decker. “I was shocked to see that this precious little 3-year-old boy was Judy and Chip’s son, Ryan McElroy.”Cassia-Decker soon discovered McElroy had already been through many rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and two bone marrow treatments with nothing left for Western medicine to do. The family was trying to raise $20,000 in five weeks for experimental treatment in the Dominican Republic, since their insurance would no longer cover their medical expenses. Cassia-Decker learned they were trying to raise the money and was inspired to help; she teamed together with Ryan’s grandfather. “I went on every local TV and radio show and wrote to every local publication that I could,” said Cassia-Decker. “Then I tried to think of how we could raise the most amount of money with an event that most people could participate in the shortest period of time. I thought that most people could walk, push a stroller and or be pushed in a wheelchair. I went to the Carey Arboretum in Millbrook and we had a walk for Ryan on Sept. 14, 1998 just days after his 4th birthday.”The event raised $28,000 in less than five weeks, all for Ryan. Cassia-Decker remembered how emotional it was to see the community come together to support Ryan. However, the treatments did not work and Ryan later flew to Lourdes, France, to bathe in Holy water. “After exhausting everything that a devoted mother and father could do, God had chosen to bring Ryan home just shy of his 5th birthday,” said Cassia-Decker. “I will never forget his radiant smile and the brightness of his eyes. It was shortly after his grandfather, Frank, also succumbed to cancer. I was devastated. But the strength of Ryan and his family continued to teach me.”Cassia-Decker was inspired by Ryan’s life and wanted to honor his memory by helping other children in similar situations. She started to run marathons, triathlons and other races during the past 11 years, all to help raise cancer awareness in the Hudson Valley. “I have met and made so many friends that I would not have in my life right now if it wasn’t for Ryan,” said Cassia-Decker.This Sunday, Oct. 7, the Ryan McElroy Children’s Cancer Foundation will be holding its second annual Millbrook Duathlon at the PULSE Cycling and Fitness Center. (A duathlon is a race with cycling and running phases.) The race will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a half-mile run for children ages three to 11 years old and at 10 a.m. the duathlon will begin, followed by a barbecue. All of the money raised will go to the McElroy foundation. The foundation helps children in the Hudson Valley who have been battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. One-hundred percent of the money raised by the foundation goes directly to families, to pay medical expenses, household expenses, purchase beds, build ramps and make wishes comes true for the children. This year the duathlon is in memory of 4-year-old David Fultz, from Beacon, N.Y., his family will be present for the race. The half-mile race starts at the Pulse Cycling and Fitness parking lot and goes up Church Street while the duathlon goes through the village and town. In order to register go to www.ryansfoundation.org. There will be free T-shirts, face painting and ribbons for the children running in the half-mile race. The barbecue following the race is free for all participants and spectators. If interested in volunteering or being a sponsor contact Cassia-Decker at info@pulsecyclingandfitness.com. To make a donation to the foundation or find out about its services go to www.ryansfoundation.org.“I am so amazed to have witnessed how much they have given to our community,” said Cassia-Decker about the organization. “The foundation and its members are so humble, without looking for any personal recognition. They simply want to do what they can to ease the pain as much as humanly possible and make a difference in the lives of these children and their families.”