For a group of children and families affected by pediatric cancer, Cycle Oregon’s stop in Grants Pass became about much more than bicycles and miles.
Several of Candlelighters For Children With Cancer’s 2026 Honored Children joined cyclists and their families at the Cycle Oregon base camp in Southern Oregon for a special Ride Out celebration Saturday, Aug. 29.
During the event, the Honored Children and Ride for a Child cyclists took a short community ride together around the park, giving the children an opportunity to ride alongside some of the cyclists who have spent months training and raising money in their honor.
Candlelighters later celebrated the gathering, saying its Honored Children are the inspiration behind the annual Ride for a Child program.
The event brought together children who have experienced pediatric cancer, their families and a team of cyclists participating in Cycle Oregon’s five-day Rally through Southern Oregon.
Approximately 40 cyclists from around Oregon signed up for this year’s Ride for a Child team. Each rider is connected with an Honored Child from Oregon or Southwest Washington who has experienced childhood cancer.
The riders do more than put in miles. For months leading up to Cycle Oregon, they train and raise money to support Candlelighters and the families it serves.
This year’s fundraising effort has already surpassed expectations.
Ride for a Child set a goal of raising $225,000 for Candlelighters in 2026. As of Aug. 31, the campaign had raised more than $234,000 — exceeding its original goal while the Cycle Oregon Rally was still underway.
The money supports Candlelighters programs for families dealing with childhood cancer, including financial assistance, hospital meals, support programs and other services.
For some of the cyclists, the mission is deeply personal.
Ride for a Child cyclist Jordan Zettle is the father of a child who has experienced cancer and knows firsthand the effect a diagnosis can have on an entire family.
“I know Candlelighters first hand, I know that the challenges of pediatric cancer don’t go away when the treatment ends,” Zettle said before the event. “I can’t stop cancer, but I hope to raise money and awareness so it can be better for the next family and their diagnosis.”
Zettle’s son, Cohen, was diagnosed with cancer when he was just 4 months old. According to Zettle’s fundraising page, Cohen underwent 17 cycles of chemotherapy and major surgery during treatment.
This year’s Cycle Oregon gathering included another special milestone for the family — Cohen’s second birthday was celebrated at the Ride for a Child base camp.
Riding for a Child Since 2002
Ride for a Child was founded in 2002 by Dick Hartung in memory of his daughter, Jill, who died from cancer at age 9.
The program has grown into Candlelighters’ largest annual fundraiser, pairing cyclists with children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
Rather than simply riding for a general cause, cyclists carry the stories of individual children with them throughout their training and during Cycle Oregon.
This year’s customized Ride for a Child jerseys feature the names of the 2026 Honored Children.
For the families gathered in Grants Pass, Saturday’s Ride Out offered a moment away from hospitals, treatments and medical appointments.
Children, parents and cyclists instead came together at the park for bicycles, celebration and community — a visible reminder of the people behind the fundraising totals.
The Ride for a Child cyclists continue their journey as part of Cycle Oregon’s Rally through Southern Oregon, which runs through Sept. 2.
And although the miles will eventually end, Candlelighters’ work continues year-round, supporting Oregon and Southwest Washington families from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
Reach Publisher Teresa Pearson at [email protected].