Steamboat Springs, CO – Bryan Fletcher of Steamboat Springs, a member of the U.S. Ski Team’s Nordic Combined squad, will be mounting his bike in September to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Fletcher was chosen to be a team hero for the ride, sharing his story with the world.nFletcher is teaming up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training Program, to raise money and participate in a century ride, scheduled for Sept. 18-19 in southern Utah. The ride will start in downtown Moab with riders heading over the La Sal Mountains before ending the race with a 50 mile out-and-back on the river road, totaling 100 miles in the saddle.
“It’s a pretty big challenge for a lot of people because some of them have never been on bikes before,” said Fletcher. “The program leads and trains them up to the ride, with the main goal of completing the century ride. It’s their own challenge.”
Fletcher is not only participating in the ride to raise money for the disease but is also acting as a team hero for the Rocky Mountain Chapter. As team hero, Fletcher’s story is the truth and hope behind the cause.
“I’m the team hero for the Rocky Mountain Chapter so they use my story as the story behind their fundraising efforts, to say look at what this kid has accomplished, he’s a survivor,” said Fletcher.
When Fletcher was just shy of four years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. While undergoing chemo treatment, Fletcher suffered a stroke, causing him to lose his memory of prior treatments. After almost three years of treatment the cancer was reported to be in remission in 1997. It wasn’t until a high school project that he realized the significance and struggle of overcoming leukemia.
“It’s motivation for the other participating teammates to complete the ride because I ride with them,” said Fletcher. It’s kind of cool for them because past rides the team hero hasn’t necessarily been a person who can complete the ride with them because they are still fighting the battle.”
Since his victorious battle with leukemia, Fletcher has made every day count, especially while on the U.S. Ski Team. He is using his notoriety to help raise money and awareness for a cause that hits home.
“The whole goal is to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to fight cancer,” said Fletcher. I’ve been training with the team as much as possible and getting ready to do the ride in September.”
For information about the ride and how to donate to the cause go to, www.lls.org/hm_lls, www.teamintraining.org and www.skinnytireevents.com.