This donation site will remain open for contributions until October 30th.

The ride is over! I am so pleased to report that the ride was AWESOME! We raised so much together for LLS! I was the top fundraiser of the entire event involving 400 cyclists! So proud of that! Thanks to each and every one of you who supported me! Some pictures below from Ride Day!!

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Let's Ride for LLS!!

We all want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Today is YOUR day!

3 years ago, I led a team in the Light the Night walk (Leo's Lions) to support my cousin Leo Weber who was battling stage 4 Burkitt's Lymphoma. We raised a lot of money and awareness. I was forever changed by this event! I am so proud to say that Leo is doing much better these days! But there are so many others fighting blood cancers that need our help!

I want to do more...again! To accomplish that mission, on September 30th, 2012, I’ll be participating in a cycling endurance ride called the Blood, Sweat, & Tears charity cycling ride benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a member of the Team In Training. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

See below the pictures for the listing of everyone I ride in honor or memory of! They each have such wonderful stories! Enjoy reading through them and fondly recalling their wonderful legacy! If you have someone you would like honored, please email me at bradegel@comcast.net

If you want to support my ride, please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.

THANK YOU to my title sponsor Charlie, Roni & all the amazing people at Champion System for again making me a Champion System sponsored athlete and providing me with my cycling kit for 2012!!

Pictures from last year's ride!

THE GO EGEL GO HONORED LIST OF LLS HEROES!

In honor of Bo Johnson. Bo is battling terminal EM AML. He is just 13 years old. He and his family have chosen to live out the rest of his days at home and not in the hospital. I hope his mother Annika and family and friends will have some comfort knowing that he is inspiring others to make a difference in the cancer world!

In memory of Kenneth Sterling. Kenneth is the father of Amy West...a good friend of my friend Jaimie Leader-Goodale. They are in a "mom's group" together. Kenneth passed away recently from cancer. He was just 55 years old. I wanted to tell his story so that all may know his courageous fight. Kenneth was an EMT, loved to cook, hunt & fish, a volunteer firefighter, a leader in his community, and a friend to all. He leaves behind his beloved wife Celine and many other family and friends who will never be able to replace the hole in their hearts that cancer has caused.

In memory of Ethan Blevins. Ethan passed away from complications of AML on August 29th 2012. He was 9. I hope his family is comforted in the long run knowing that he won't be forgotten.

In honor of SUPERMAN Sam Sommer. Sam is the son of my dear friend Phyllis Sommer. He is battling AML and doing it like a champ. Sam is 6...he has a great smile...and he is my hero :)

In honor of Brenna Quirin. She is 8 years old and battling Burkitt's Lymphoma! She is a wonderful soul with an adorable smile and she dances like nobody’s business! I went to high school with her Mom Kerry and have recently become reattached to the family! I ride for people like Brenna! Fight Brenna Fight!

In honor of Leo Weber, (and his amazing parents my cousins Joy and Adam Weber) who at such a young age taught us all what it means to be a real hero and made us all appreciate our own lives and the lives of the ones we love!

In memory of Ron Gottlieb, father of our good friend Howie Gottlieb. He writes: "He was my hero. He was always there whenever I looked up and needed him and he remains there today. He was a caring and devoted husband to his wife, a guiding father to his two sons and a laughing papa to his three grandchildren. We miss him dearly and know that he is somewhere peaceful and calm after his fight with cancer that lasted over ten years."

In memory of Beverly Grashin who lost her battle with lymphoma very recently. Mother of Lorri Lewis, grandfather of Shalom, Akiva, Uriel and Avinoam Lewis. She was a woman with a wonderfully warm smile. She was an organized, efficient, effective, gracious daughter, wife, mother, friend, hostess, bookkeeper, volunteer living in Seattle for all of her 86 years. People counted on her in too many ways than can be counted, her advice was wise and helpful, she tried hard not to make waves socially. When she was diagnosed with lymphoma, she accepted the reality that she would not live past 100 years, as she had planned, and that 85 years was a long life to be satisfied with.

Gerald H. Gad, Father of my dear friend of MANY years Marra Gad. Gerald lost his battle with Leukemia at the age of 47. The true personification of unconditional love...Danced like Bill Cosby...Loved Kool and The Gang...Taught Marra about love, strength, perseverance, flexibility and to believe in herself no matter what anyone else said about her.

In honor of Travis Yon, my former student...and a heroic survivor...and his mother, Melanie Goldish, and her amazing organization SuperSibs!

In memory of Colonel Bennie Mann. He was a true American hero who lost his battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma. He was the commanding officer of my step-father, Bruce Mayor, in Vietnam. He was the first Marine to ever receive the Navy Cross. His decorations and medals included the Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and 37 air medals.

In memory of Terry Cozzolino, sister of my friend Amy Atkins-Pilafas. She was a mom to three young kids. She loved gardening, and was pretty handy, and crafty. Like all sisters, Amy and Terry had their trials and tribulations, but Amy feels grateful that they had 3 years to fight blood cancer with Terry and prioritize their relationships. Not everyone gets that chance. She passed away on St Pat's day 1996.

In honor of Evan Pearlman, heroic survivor, who battled blood cancer at age 2, and is now 8! Yeah Evan!

In memory of Nancy Maybloom who lost a courageous four year, two month battle with acute myelogenous leukemia on August 7, 2004. Mother of our friend Lesley Coussis, Nancy was a Patient Hero and Honoree for the Team in Training Cycle Team (2002-2005), and inspired many people who were riding for a cure and fighting their own battles with blood cancers. She was also an inspiration to doctors, nurses, and especially her family.

My great Aunt, Barbara Lewis, passed away from Lymphoma in 2007. She was a very vibrant, bubbly lady, with lots of energy and a very pleasant personality. She is greatly missed by family and friends. Mother of Debbie Lewis Simon, Robin Lewis Schoner, grandfather of Matt and Rachel Schoner. Aunt of Linda Lewis Egel Mayor and Sheldon and Sherwin Lewis.

Christy Lynn Johnson: A very close friend of my lifelong friend Lisa Lyght. She recently lost her battle with Leukemia. She was the happiest, most positive person. She had a laugh that would make you start laughing and a smile that would light up the room. She lived life to the fullest, right up to the end. And...she loved her little boy so much.

In memory of our friend Barry Pass, my cousin Elaine Weil's brother, who lost his battle with Leukemia several years ago. I grew up seeing Barry at many holiday meals and have fond memories of him! He leaves behind loving children, Laurie, Jodi and Mark, and grandchildren.

In memory of Tim Rothenberger, dear friend of the family and business accountant, who lost his battle with Leukemia in 2009. His love of life and especially the White Sox endeared him to so many!

In honor of our dear friend Gary Dalke, who continues to fight against Leukemia. We wish him a complete recovery.....even though he is a staunch Cubs fan :)

In memory of cousin Roberta Egel, who passed away many years ago from Hodgkins disease. May her memory be for a blessing. She left us far too soon. Sister-in-law of Maria Egel, cousin of Barbara Egel and Lisa Egel Robinson.

In honor of Katie Abrams...a heroic survivor and friend of the family for many years!

In loving memory of Rachel Minkove. She was the niece of Jody's cousin Hannah Heller. She had been battling Hodgkins Lymphoma for 4 years and lost her battle last month. May her memory be a blessing.

In honor of Debbe Astrug. A friend to many from our synagogue and beloved by all! She is a heroic survivor having had a bone marrow transplant 16 years ago in December! Go Debbe!

In memory of Billy Fuerstein who died in his early twenties just in the prime of his life. He was my cousin Lois's cousin. He had Hodgkins Lymphoma before there were cures or proper treatments. Thank heavens for LLS and other organizations that have advanced treatments and cures for blood cancers!!

In memory of Steve Shulman, who passed away almost 12 years ago. He lost his battle with lymphoma at 56. He was Debra Bakal's favorite uncle. The Bakals are dear friends of ours and Sydney Bakal is named after Steve's blessed memory. He was a wonderful, charismatic, loving, funny and very much alive person who brought joy to all his family(wife and 2 sons and many nieces and nephews and cousins) and his friends with his jokes and affection during his short life. The Bakal family misses him and thinks of him often.

In honor of Susan Shiba...Aunt Susie...Aunt Vanilla as we call her...who has been battling cancer with a smile on her face and without complaints. She inspires all of us with her courage each day and her ability to be the biggest Bears fan on earth with her unique ability to look past their obvious flaws. Da Bears!! She is a wonderful mother and grandmother! (and Aunt!)

In honor of Tyson Kabella who is a 12 year survivor of Hogkins Lymphoma. Tyson is the beloved husband of my friend Renee Marie Kabella.

In loving memory of Will Kelley who was taken from us by Leukemia in 2010. I had the amazing honor of riding a cycling marathon with Will's family and friends last September. His parents John and Joan are amazing people who moved me beyond words during the ride and subsequent to the ride. Will was beloved by everyone that knew him and his siblings Megan, Drew, and Mitchell think of him every day. I will be riding with team Will Power again this year during my Blood, Sweat & Tears cycling marathon for LLS in the Fall. I have an orange Bracelet that says, "Will Power!" that I got the day of the ride and I have not taken it off since October 2nd, 2011.

In honor of Neil Traubenberg, father of my friend Lauren Schmick, who is almost at his one year "re-birthday" from his bone marrow transplant for CLL. I am so honored to ride for his heroism!

In honor of Elaine Sherman, mother of our dear family friend Ellyn Weisz! Ellyn is a survivor also...but her mother has been battling CLL for 12 years and recently started her 4th round of chemo! Elaine and Ellyn are both amazing and I honor them with my ride!!

In honor of Mark Zinman, father of my good friend and fellow cancer warrior Logan Zinman! Over the last 25 years, Mark has heard the words, “you have cancer” every six or seven years – and every time, he looks at his family, digs in deep, and takes what the doctors throw at him in order to become a survivor one more time over. It is MY honor to honor Mark this year!! The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Team in Training have been an invaluable support system to the Zinman family – GO TEAM! :)

In loving memory of Sara Ben Sinyour Kanyas. Sara was the mother of my friend and fellow teacher Smadar. Sara was the most wonderful wife and mom anyone could ask for. She was diagnosed with leukemia after Smadar's little brother was born.The Doctor said she would live for one year but she fought and lived for six years. She never complained about a thing. No one could do a thing for her but she kept going on for her family. May her memory be a blessing!

In honor of Jenna Benn who survived a bout with an ultra rare cancer called Grey Zone Lymphoma. She is a fellow team in training warrior...started an amazing organization called Twist Out Cancer...and I am honored to call her my friend!

In honor of Dan Rose. Dan is a good friend of my friend Jessica Yanow. Dan is a survivor who is a very accomplished extreme marathoner himself. I am honored to ride for his heroism both before, during and after his cancer!

In loving memory of Lawrence Grubman. Lawrence was our friend Jessica Yanow's grandfather. He lost his battle with leukemia in March of 2012. He was the rock of the family, and even though he lived to be 90 years old, his loss is reverberating throughout the family. He is missed, he is cherished...and through this ride, he will continue to be remembered.

In honor of Eli Blau. Eli is 12 years old and a survivor of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He endured surgery, high dose chemotherapy and frequent hospitalization for close to a year. He is currently in the early stages of remission and is surrounded by friends and family who cheer him on for enduring his struggles with bravery and wit. He is now known for wearing his t-shirt stating 'does this t-shirt make me look bald?!'

This is just a small sampling of the thousands of lives Leukemia and Lymphoma change each year! Please help make a difference with a donation today!

Sincerely,

Bradley Egel

Stay at home dad of 3, Cancer Warrior, Teacher, Musician, & Optimist!

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Sponsor list for 2012

Thank you to Champion System! THANK YOU to my title sponsor Charlie, Roni & all the amazing people at Champion System for again making me a Champion System sponsored athlete and providing me with my cycling kit for 2012!!

http://champ-sys.com/

Thank you to returning sponsor Goal Zero! James, Morgan & Scott have always been amazingly supportive of me and my charity cycling! Goal Zero is the premier provider of solar powered portable gear for outdoor enthusiasts. Their products are wonderful and they are good stewards of the earth!

http://www.goalzero.com/

Thank you to Jesse, Dave and everyone at Clean Bottle for again sponsoring my ride with all my hydration needs. I never ride dirty with Clean Bottle!

http://cleanbottle.com/

Thank you to Steve and everyone at Skins! They sent me an entire compression recovery kit and a compression tech pair of cycling bib shorts. "We have the utmost respect for professional and amateur athletes alike. We love the dogged determination that sees people finish marathons, shave seconds off their personal best or make the winning touchdown. We admire the combination of physical and mental strength that helps them do it over and over again. This is what drives us to spend so much time on research and development, to search the world for the best fabric technologies to ensure that amateur and professional sportspeople can both reap the benefits." Thank you for helping this cancer warrior reach his goals!

http://www.skins.net/en-US/index.aspx

Thank you to Eric and Lisa from Be Seen for sponsoring me with reflective athletic gear. They make reflective clothing to protect runners and cyclists at night! (Or anytime!!) What a wonderful idea and company!

http://www.beseenforlife.com/

Thank you to Britt and everyone at The Clymb! They sent me a few items for training and they are awesome! For those who find their passion in the outdoors, The Clymb inspires human-powered adventure by delivering member-exclusive 72-hour sales on premium brands and experiences, hand-picked by our team of fellow enthusiasts and experts. Membership is free, allowing users to shape the community by inviting like-minded friends. The company is based in Portland, Oregon and was founded in 2009 by a seasoned team of outdoor and sport industry veterans. Their pricing and service are both awesome! :) Membership is free...go sign up and check out their deals!

http://www.theclymb.com/invite-from/bradegel

Thank you to Phil and everyone at Cyclegarb! They sent me some training gear and he is a super nice person! Cyclegarb has everything cycle related on their site. Check them out! Thanks Phil!

http://www.cyclegarb.com/

Thank you to Josh and everyone at Excel Sports Boulder! They sent me the most amazing Pearl Izumi Excel club team kit. It looks fantastic and will really help in my training! Visit them below:

http://excelsports.com

Thank you to Cathy, Ted and everyone at Aero Tech Designs! They sent me some training gear. Everything they make is made right here in the USA! Not many cycling companies do that anymore. Thanks so much!!

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/

Thanks to Lunette and Kevin and everyone at Detour Protein Bars! I have been using Detour bars for my cycling for a while now, but I am now being sponsored by them as a charity athlete! Aren't they wonderful?? They also sponsor American Olympic medalists Trey Hardee, Matt Grevers, and Megan Rapinoe! And now...this cancer warrior named Bradley Egel :) Thanks Detour!

http://www.detourbar.com/

Thanks to Kim, Jen, and Rachel at 110%. Play Harder! They sent me amazing compression and recovery gear and it is WONDERFUL!! Their combination of compression and icing for recovery is the best I have seen! "At 110 we celebrate the athlete, respect the effort, and believe in the power of design and innovation to help push the game forward. We’re an idea lab dedicated to the evolution of sport and committed to those who make it happen. No matter how you play it, we create the tools to help you play harder." Thanks for helping me fundraise harder!! :)

http://www.110playharder.com/

Thanks to Steven Bautista and the Peace Team at Zappos.com! The PEACE team at Zappos do good things all over the world and agreed to help out me too! They sent me a Bell Lumen Helmet, Pearl Izumi Elite Gloves and a fabulous pair of Sugoi RS Bib Shorts for my training rides. Thanks Steven and Zappos for helping me make a difference!

http://www.zappos.com/

In Association with:

Water Tension - A Web Series - I first heard about these crazy people riding their bikes across the country to educate people about the clean water shortage in America and the world. I heard, "cycling a long way for a good cause," and was immediately interested! However, I did not realize how much I would fall in love with Brittany App and Garrett Russell while watching the amazing movie recounting their adventures. If you are a fan of humanity, watch this web series. I learned so much and it is so well made! They rode from California to Florida in 2010...with lots of adventures along the way! They rode 3,159 miles...ummm yeah...watch the web series!

http://www.cyclingforwater.com/WaterTension/

Global Empathy Now - Britni Tozzi is a model, actress, activist and I have the honor of calling her my good friend. She founded Global Empathy Now with the ideals that everyone can make a difference in the world. She has been grateful to work in different areas of Tanzania and Kenya, East Africa, volunteering on different projects with schoolchildren, orphans, the Maasai and victims of HIV/AIDS. Though she is a lovely model, Britni's most beautiful feature is her heart.

http://globalempathynow.org/

Twist Out Cancer - Jenna Benn is a fellow cancer warrior with Team in Training. After being diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer called Grey Zone Lymphoma, Jenna, in her loneliness and boredom (and creative ingenuity) decided to record a video of her doing "the twist" and challenged people to record their own version and send it back to her. The response was overwhelming and went viral! Now, through Twist Out Cancer, Jenna encourages others fighting cancer to be creative and put out their own challenges to others! She found a unique way to bring people together to fight cancer! She is hope!

http://twistoutcancer.org/

Imerman Angels - I have long been associated with Imerman Angels. They are an organization that provides one on one cancer support connecting fighters, survivors & caregivers for a unique and completely amazing cancer support network! Thanks to Jonny, Dawn, Jemma and everyone at IA for all you do! *Jonny has just been named a CNN Hero for 2012! Amazing! Congrats!! :)

http://www.imermanangels.org/

OSRUI - Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute is a URJ Jewish camp in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. But it is so much more than that!! I grew up there as a camper and then staff member and have since been back for dozens of retreats and kallahs as staff. It is a place of magic. Most of my Jewish identity can be directly attributed to the experiences I had at OSRUI. This past spring, I took my son with me to a Father/Son kallah. OSRUI continues to enrich my life in many ways and I am so happy to be associated with them for this ride!

http://osrui.urjcamps.org/

NFTY - My association with NFTY goes back more than 20 years when I was an active member of CFTY! (Now called NFTY CAR!) The North American Federation of Temple Youth is an amazing organization producing young adults with leadership skills, confidence, cultural knowledge, and charitable awareness. I am so proud to be associated actively with NFTY as a mentor and advisor 20 years after graduating from the program myself.

http://www.nfty.org/

Trek - Trek....what can I say? They are the greatest things on two wheels! I love everything about my Trek bikes that I have owned over the years. And I love that they are a Waterloo, Wisconsin company...American made cycling dominance!

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/

Mike's Tree Service - Mike and Kelly helped the Quirin family with home maintenance while Brenna was in the hospital for chemotherapy. They are really wonderful people! Mike's Tree Service provides tree pruning, removal, cutting and trimming service located in the town of Downers Grove.

http://downersgrove.patch.com/listings/mikes-tree-service

Hope For Hunter - Hunter is a little boy whose father I went to high school with. Hunter suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) in an accident while riding his bicycle. Please visit his site and read more to see how you can help! They have a fundraiser golf outing in late July and need support. Visit the website below for information!

http://hope-4-hunter.org/

The Cade Foundation - Dr. Camille Hammond and everyone at the Cade foundation are amazing! Their goal is to help in various ways to help families overcoming infertility. We just participated in the Illinois Race for the Family which is supported by the Cade Foundation and it was a wonderful experience.

http://www.cadefoundation.org/

Outdoor Upgrades - Brian at Outdoor Upgrades is a great person who helped the Quirin family with home maintenance when they had Brenna in the hospital for chemotherapy. Outdoor Upgades renews existing landscapes for homeowners in and around the western Chicago suburbs to create a more functional and updated look. Their approach of starting with what you already have saves money, makes for quicker landscape projects, and provides instant impact to your home’s outdoor space.

http://www.outdoorupgradesinc.com

FRS Healthy Performance - Originally developed by health scientists trying to provide sustained energy for chemotherapy patients, FRS is powered by a patented formula containing Quercetin, a powerful all natural antioxidant, green tea catechins and essential vitamins. Together these ingredients work by naturally triggering your cells’ ability to produce sustained energy…so you can focus on increasing your stamina to maximize performance. Try FRS products for a week and feel the difference for yourself.

http://www.frs.com/

Oy Baby! - Rob and Lisi Wolf are awesome people...always charitable...always humorous. The Oy Baby music and DVD's have been a big part of our children's lives so I wanted to promote them here! OyBaby is the first and only DVD and CD series made especially for Jewish Babies and kids. They combine beautiful and fun Hebrew songs with colorful visuals of Jewish life. Check them out below!

http://www.oybaby.com/