My Personal Story:

16 years ago on Erev succoth, I went to an ENT in order to check out something that had been bothering me in my throat. The Dr checked me out, and told me that I had a scratch which would heal on its own. As he checked the rest of my throat, he felt something that felt out of place on my upper chest/ lower throat.

He told me that I should get a fine needle biopsy, and that the Dr who could do the procedure was available in 15 min to see me. Being a 24 year old and truly having no fears, I went to the Dr who was a floor down in the NYU Medical center building. I remember my first thoughts upon seeing this needle- probably 8" long- was "what the heck is that, and what are you doing with it?!"

The Dr took a painful cell sample from my neck, put it on a slide and told me that the cells had characteristics of mutated cancer cells. I told her to stick me in the neck as many times as she needed in order to give me a clean bill of health.

Slide after slide the results came back positive for papillary thyroid cancer.

In that short time, my life was completely turned upside down. I had come to the Dr's office for a pretty normal checkup- what is going on?!

I ran out to the stairs outside of the medical facility and began crying uncontrollably. What was I to tell my new wife of one year?! Was I going to be making her a widow after such a short period of bliss? How long did I have to live? What am I going to tell my parents and my young brothers?

I was lost.

Thank God for my Wife and My Family. We researched the disease, found the best possible doctors and had the means to procure the right doctors for my expensive procedures.

The support that I received from my wife and family got me through the most difficult time of my life. I don't know how I would have been able to get through this period without them.

Having gone through this process myself, I often cringe and become very emotional when I hear about young parents who find out that their child has cancer. What happens when they can't afford treatments, or don't have a support system.

That is where Chai Lifeline comes in. The ULTIMATE support system. Chai Lifeline does wonders for children and their families who are going through unthinkable hardships. They are there to make the process easier on the family, and to make this terrifying experience that much easier to navigate.

This summer I plan to bike 180 miles in order to support and raise awareness for this amazing organization that is transforming the lives of children (and their families) who are undergoing treatments for cancer.

Help me raise awareness and support for this most worthy organization.

Chai Lifeline’s flagship programs, Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special, offer 430 children a chance to forget about illness and just be kids again. Camp is an oasis of fun, of joy, and of peace for children experiencing dark and turbulent times. To learn more about Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha special, visit campsimcha.org.

I will depart on the two-day ride of a lifetime to camp on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. My objective is to raise $10,000 by then, and I hope you will help me reach this goal. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Please contribute by clicking on the donate button now.

Thank you for supporting me, and in doing so, helping children and their families cope with the diagnosis, treatment, and aftermath of serious pediatric illness.

Let's Roll!
Andrew

PS. For more information regarding this ride please visit bike4chai.org