Tom Schultz

I am riding 73 miles in memory of Pat & Tim G & Tim C, and in honor of Scott. Please support my challenge to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

Donate Now

I've Ridden 73.4 mi to fight kids' cancer

My Rankings

National: 12th
State: 2nd in IL
My Team: 2nd

I've raised $20,769 to fight kids' cancer Donate Now

I'm Riding For

Pat & Tim G & Tim C, and in honor of Scott

Three of my longtime friends, who left us too early, will be along with me this year - in my thoughts and with my music playing loudly. And riding in honor of Scott, who battled cancer in 2022.

My Story

14 Sep 2026

I am back.

This September, I am taking part again - my tenth year - in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!

Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.

Who am I riding for this year? In the past few years, riding along with me were three longtime friends, who passed away too early. We lost Pat M. in 2020, Tim C. in 2021, and then Tim G. in 2023. And they will be with me again in 2026.

I will also be riding in honor of another kid again this year, our son Scott. Scott started battling Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in June 2022. He remains cancer free.

Again this year, I will be on Team Kahleesi. Kahleesi is now 7 and was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma when she was only 9 months old. She is currently 5 years in remission. We all want to keep her there as there are no more chemotherapy options to fight her cancer.

With the support of many over the past GCC nine years, we have been able to raise over $66k. THANK YOU!

My GCC goals for this year – continue raising awareness, funds (one more dollar than 2025 and 73 sponsors), and prayers, while hoping this body allows me to ride 73 miles (as I turn 73).

Your support will change lives.

This is not just an event - it is a movement to end childhood cancer.

Onward!

My Legacy

Here's my personal impact over 10 years to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

300 mi Ridden

$1,174 Raised

2017
203 mi Ridden

$1,515 Raised

2018
223 mi Ridden

$2,328 Raised

2019
206 mi Ridden

$5,163 Raised

2020
202 mi Ridden

$7,500 Raised

2021
201 mi Ridden

$9,076 Raised

2022
124 mi Ridden

$11,844 Raised

2023
144 mi Ridden

$12,215 Raised

2024
86 mi Ridden

$15,350 Raised

2025
73 mi Ridden

$20,769 Raised

2026

1,761 mi

Ridden

$86,934

Raised

My Challenge

Big Laugh? Big Smile!

1 Oct 2026

If you told me back in 2017 that I would participate in a challenge for 10 years to log 1761 miles on a bike while raising almost $87,000, I would have laughed hard.

As the month of September concludes, we are nearing the end of the 2026 Great Cycle Challenge. And thanks to you, instead of laughing, I have a big smile! And a tear.

As I complete my tenth year in taking part in this challenge, I reflect on how we have raised awareness, prayers, and funds to fight kids’ cancer while allowing me to “get on my bike and ride.” I am blessed to have so many wonderful and amazing friends, family, and supporters! Yes, $87k in ten years.

Current totals for the overall 2026 challenge – 18,512 people joined the movement, raising $6.7m to fight kids’ cancer and pedaling 1.6 million miles.

For me in 2026, keep the number “73” in mind.

I turned 73 on Tuesday.

With a miles goal of 73, I achieved that.

With a sponsor goal of 73, I am so proud and honored to share that 77 joined me this year. Together we raised $20,769.

For the ranking of donations across the nation, our numbers show: 12th across all the participants, 7th in the 66–75-year-old age group and 2nd in the state of IL. Looking at the 12 years of the GCC and all the participants joining the cause, we rank 25th in terms of total donations.

I hope you understand how much I appreciate your support for this cause and me. So, no matter how our paths have crossed - family or friends, knowing me when I was born or I knew you when you were born, Emilys to Viators to Mary's to Cary, through our kids and new kids and little kids, MOT or Allstate or IHM, golf or bike or swim or travel, over "sodas" or in a hospital - thank you for thinking of me.

Will I do this again next year? Maybe you can help me decide.

Onward!

Posted 13 hours ago
Week 4 done

28 Sep 2026

Only a few days left until the unofficial close of the Great Cycle Challenge for 2026.

For this update, I thought I would send along a quick look at Bike the Drive from this year.

BTD is more than just a ride.

The cars disappear as thousands of bikes have the lake on one side and the skyline on the other.

This was the 25th annual Bike the Drive.

How many for us? About half of them.

We were wearing our GCC jerseys. And saw many other GCC riders along the way.

There’s nothing quite like Bike the Drive.

It was only Sue and me this year, but I added shots with others who have joined us in the past - our kids, grandkids and the one "older" guy was our friend Tim who passed away in 2021.

You might want to watch it on your computer, rather than a phone. And always better on a bigger screen with volume up. And click bottom right corner for the full screen view.

Posted 3 days ago
Week 3 update - Some childhood cancer facts

20 Sep 2026

I came across this info and thought I would share here as part of the raising awareness goal.

1. About 1 in 285 kids in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before age 20.

2. After infancy, cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among children in the U.S.

3. Childhood cancers aren’t just adult cancers in smaller bodies. The cancers and their biology can be very different.

4. Childhood cancer research gets a relatively small portion of overall cancer research funding, partly because childhood cancers are rare compared with adult cancers. That also means fewer patients for clinical trials and less financial incentive to develop drugs specifically for kids.

5. Some chemo drugs used to treat kids have been around for decades. Methotrexate has been used against childhood leukemia since the 1950s.

6. Remission doesn’t mean treatment is over. Kids can reach remission within weeks and still have years of treatment ahead.

7. Cancer treatment uses a whole lot of donated blood products. Red cells, platelets, and plasma-derived medicines can all be part of treatment.

8. Childhood cancer isn’t one disease. Leukemias, brain tumors, lymphomas, sarcomas, and others are very different diseases.

9. Treatment doesn’t necessarily end with the last chemo. Late effects can show up months or years later.

Posted 11 days ago
Message from the folks at The Children's Cancer Research Fund

17 Sep 2026

Upon receiving an email, I thought I would share it here, with some editing.

***********************************************

Over the past 16 days, riders from every state across our great country have pedaled 861,578 miles, through rain or shine. Once again, our Great Cycle Challenge community has risen to the occasion, showing incredible passion, determination, and butt-kicking spirit to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

It's incredible to see how far this movement has come since our very first challenge in 2015.

Throughout the last 12 years, we've built not only a nationwide community of riders, but also a family of ambassadors and supporters united by one goal: giving kids with cancer the brighter futures they deserve.

Here's what you've helped achieve so far this September:

18,447 riders are taking part from all corners of the country.

52,094 individual donations have been received to support your efforts.

$5,571,504 has been raised (so far), which is incredible.

Together, we've logged 54,698 rides and ridden a total of 861,578 miles.

...and we've still got 14 days to go.

We're pedaling together right to the finish line, and I know you'll be there with us as we close out the challenge strong.

Behind every mile lies the reason why this ride matters so deeply.

So far this month:

688 families have heard the devastating words, "your child has cancer."

We've lost 87 children to this terrible disease.

These families deserve more effective treatments and better outcomes for their kids. And that's why childhood cancer research is so important.

While our month of riding will make a huge difference to the children and families affected by cancer, we can all strive for the day when childhood cancer is a distant memory.

Because kids should be living life, NOT fighting for it.

As you get out on your bike over these next 14 days, please carry these kids with you on every climb, every push, and every mile.

They won't give up, and neither will we.

Thank you so much for riding this September to fight kids' cancer.

Good luck for the rest of the challenge.

********************************

As I have said many times, thank you for being part of this with me.

Posted 15 days ago
Week 2 update

12 Sep 2026

It has been a busy week and month so far.

Overall, 18,383 people have joined the movement as riders, raising almost $5.4 million, while pedaling over 665K miles.

Every hill we climb and every mile we pedal will be to honor those lives we've lost and stand with those brave kids still fighting to survive. These kids won't give up, and neither will we.

Previously, I stated my goals for this year - one more than 2025 –

73 miles, as I turn 73 soon.

• Achieved 6 rides totaling 73 miles after my longest ride of the year today. And more to come.

73 sponsors

• Above that number – thank you.

And one more dollar to $15,351

• Currently at $18,117. WOW!

Current leaderboard info across all categories shows me/we are doing very well thanks to your help.

During my early morning rides, I find a riding buddy with me.

Posted 19 days ago
20.6 mi ride - Saturday in Cary and achieving the GCC miles goal - Saturday, September 12, 2026

Logged this ride 19 days ago - View on Strava
12.2 mi ride - Bike & Brew with Jeff S, as he achieved 1000 miles in 2026 - Thursday, September 10, 2026

Logged this ride 21 days ago - View on Strava
Hello “YES” People

10 Sep 2026

I am honored and humbled that you decided to say YES.

YES – to this cause, these kids, to the memory of Pat, Tim and Tim, in honoring Scott and to my many notes.

As many of you know, yesterday was Match Day for the GCC challenge this year.

As a team, we started the week with 29 sponsors with donations around $4800.

During the 24 hours on Wednesday, 40 people decided to say YES, donating around $7200.

This morning, we were told an additional $5500 has been added as part of the match.

Now with seventy sponsors, you have helped us with a total of over $17500. Just some perspective - it took my first 5 years to raise this much.

In the spring, when the goal was established of getting one more dollar than we did in 2025, I really felt it would never come true. But you did it and then some. Amazing.

As our paths have crossed over the years – Schultz, Sughrua, Viators, Marys, IHM, Cary, TCGA, Motorola, Allstate and the list goes on – THANK YOU!

Posted 21 days ago
$10,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!

I just hit $10,000 to fight kids' cancer! Thank you so much for your support.

Posted 22 days ago
Wednesday 9/9 is Match Day

8 Sep 2026

My junior advisors want to thank you for teaming up with us for this cause.

Posted 23 days ago

My Sponsors

Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation

“Here's your matched donation from a group of wonderful Children's Cancer Research Fund supporters. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$5,518.27
Received this donation 22 days ago

Tom

“Thanks for the group of supporters who made this Match Day possible and yield great results for all.”

Thanks for the group of supporters who made this Match Day possible and yield great results for all.
Jack Northrup Fund
$2,445.07
Received this donation 16 days ago

Tom

“Ann, thank you for sending along this extremely generous donation from your dad's fund. I am honored to have his name added to my growing list of sponsors. Year after year, you continue to support this cause, the kids and me. I am blessed to be still teaming with you over all these years. Onward!”

Ann, thank you for sending along this extremely generous donation from your dad's fund. I am honored to have his name added to my growing list of sponsors. Year after year, you continue to support this cause, the kids and me. I am blessed to be still teaming with you over all these years. Onward!
Anonymous

“Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, Big wheel turn by the grace of God, Every time that wheel turn 'round, Bound to cover just a little more ground. Bound to cover a little more ground Get on your bike n ride!”
$750
Received this donation 22 days ago

Tom

“Dear "A" (DS), let me think - who could this be using the Dead song The Wheel? Thank for your very generous donation in support of this cause, the kids and me. Year after year, you continue to add your name to my list of sponsors. Onward!”

Dear "A" (DS), let me think - who could this be using the Dead song The Wheel? Thank for your very generous donation in support of this cause, the kids and me. Year after year, you continue to add your name to my list of sponsors. Onward!
John Busacker

“Way to go Tom! You are an inspiration with your long-time commitment to this cause!”
$517.50
Received this donation 22 days ago

Tom

“John, thank you for supporting me, this cause, and the kids with your very, very generous donation. I am so honored to have your name on my sponsor list. And thanks for doing this on Match Day. Onward!”

John, thank you for supporting me, this cause, and the kids with your very, very generous donation. I am so honored to have your name on my sponsor list. And thanks for doing this on Match Day. Onward!
Karen Gillespie

“Thank you for all you do - ride safe!”
$517.50
Received this donation 22 days ago

Tom

“Karen, how nice for you to send along a donation on Match Day. Thanks so much for your generous donation in support of this cause, the kids and me. I am honored to have the Gillespie family on my list of sponsors again this year. Tim is riding along with me again.”

Karen, how nice for you to send along a donation on Match Day. Thanks so much for your generous donation in support of this cause, the kids and me. I am honored to have the Gillespie family on my list of sponsors again this year. Tim is riding along with me again.
Mark Valentine

“Congratulations Tom; happy to support you on your bike in 2026!”
$517.50
Received this donation 133 days ago

Tom

“Chris and Mark, thanks so much for the very generous donation. Year after year, you show your support and generosity for me and the kids. While helping a great cause, we also remember our good friends Pat and Tim and Tim. Onward!”

Chris and Mark, thanks so much for the very generous donation. Year after year, you show your support and generosity for me and the kids. While helping a great cause, we also remember our good friends Pat and Tim and Tim. Onward!
Mike Kelly

“Very happy to support you on this project, Tom. Well done!”
$517.50
Received this donation 132 days ago

Tom

“Kell, thanks for your very generous donation and joining my lineup again this year. It is helping out a great cause, as we also remember our good friends. Also, thanks for your ongoing support in all areas. Onward!”

Kell, thanks for your very generous donation and joining my lineup again this year. It is helping out a great cause, as we also remember our good friends. Also, thanks for your ongoing support in all areas. Onward!
Viv & Alex

“Go Papa Go!”
$517.50
Received this donation 151 days ago

Tom

“Viv & Alex, thanks for the donation from both of you to help these kids. It is so great to have you join my list again this year in support of me, the kids and this cause. And thanks for the picture of us on my page. I am looking forward to our bike rides together this summer. Make sure Mom and Dad know you did this. Papa”

Viv & Alex, thanks for the donation from both of you to help these kids. It is so great to have you join my list again this year in support of me, the kids and this cause. And thanks for the picture of us on my page. I am looking forward to our bike rides together this summer. Make sure Mom and Dad know you did this. Papa
Marc Weisenburger

“Your commitment is inspiring…as always, thanks for leading the charge for such a worthy cause.”
$489.56
Received this donation 23 days ago

Tom

“Marc, thank you for your generous donation in supporting me, this cause, and the kids again this year. Happy to be back in the lineup with you. Friends like you make all this possible. Thanks Pudge!”

Marc, thank you for your generous donation in supporting me, this cause, and the kids again this year. Happy to be back in the lineup with you. Friends like you make all this possible. Thanks Pudge!
Kim & Randy Syme

“Tom, What a great cause to ride for America's children. It's an honor to support you. Keep on riding.”
$310.50
Received this donation 139 days ago

Tom

“Kim & Randy, I am honored that you joined me again on this challenge. Thanks for your very generous donation, in support for me, the kids and this cause.”

Kim & Randy, I am honored that you joined me again on this challenge. Thanks for your very generous donation, in support for me, the kids and this cause.
Thomas Frost

“Congratulations on another gift of your service to those in need. 'Though much is taken, much abides.' (Tennyson) Warm regards - Boyoung & Tip”
$310.50
Received this donation 118 days ago

Tom

“Boyoung & Tip, thanks so much for the very generous donation. Year after year, you show your support and generosity for the kids and this cause. And I am very appreciative of your support for me on this, and the ongoing support of all of us through so many items. And with your reference to the Tennyson poem - yes, life does bring loss and aging but – “made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.” Onward!”

Boyoung & Tip, thanks so much for the very generous donation. Year after year, you show your support and generosity for the kids and this cause. And I am very appreciative of your support for me on this, and the ongoing support of all of us through so many items. And with your reference to the Tennyson poem - yes, life does bring loss and aging but – “made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.” Onward!
Brian Gillespie
$258.75
Received this donation 22 days ago

Tom

“Brian, thank you so much for your support and generosity for me, the kids and this cause. How great to have the Gillespie name on my list. And your dad is riding along with me.”

Brian, thank you so much for your support and generosity for me, the kids and this cause. How great to have the Gillespie name on my list. And your dad is riding along with me.
Anonymous

“Congratulations on another bike riding season Tom! KICK CANCERS BUTT”
$258.75
Received this donation 23 days ago

Tom

“Dear "A", thank you so much for your support and generosity for me, the kids and this cause. Not sure who you are but you must be a caring person. And thanks for doing this on Match Day!”

Dear "A", thank you so much for your support and generosity for me, the kids and this cause. Not sure who you are but you must be a caring person. And thanks for doing this on Match Day!
CJS

“A spring loaded seat makes for a more comfortable ride.”
$258.75
Received this donation 112 days ago

Tom

“Bill & MC, thanks for the generous donation. I am honored to have you on my list again in support of this cause and the kids and families impacted by cancer. Spring loaded seat? Because I'm old and need assist getting off the bike? Or ejector seat and you have the remote? Does CJS make the seat? And yes - the music will be loud as I find the trail behind your house.”

Bill & MC, thanks for the generous donation. I am honored to have you on my list again in support of this cause and the kids and families impacted by cancer. Spring loaded seat? Because I'm old and need assist getting off the bike? Or ejector seat and you have the remote? Does CJS make the seat? And yes - the music will be loud as I find the trail behind your house.
Diane
$258.75
Received this donation 22 days ago

Tom

“Diane, how great to have you joining me this year, as you have done in the past in support of this cause. So glad to have my family along with me. And thanks for doing it on Match Day.”

Diane, how great to have you joining me this year, as you have done in the past in support of this cause. So glad to have my family along with me. And thanks for doing it on Match Day.
Kevin Leahy

“Kick Cancer to the curb - Ride On!”
$258.75
Received this donation 22 days ago

Tom

“Kevin, great to have you join me again this year, as we support the kids and this cause. Thank you! Nice to have a few Viator guys on my sponsor list. Yep - kick cancer's butt.”

Kevin, great to have you join me again this year, as we support the kids and this cause. Thank you! Nice to have a few Viator guys on my sponsor list. Yep - kick cancer's butt.
Lauren Amich
$258.75
Received this donation 22 days ago

Tom

“Lauren & Simon, how exciting to have you back on my list of sponsors again this year. And what a generous donation to this cause. It is amazing what we all can do to help these kids and their families and work on kicking cancer's butt. And of course, Lauren's dad will be riding along with me.”

Lauren & Simon, how exciting to have you back on my list of sponsors again this year. And what a generous donation to this cause. It is amazing what we all can do to help these kids and their families and work on kicking cancer's butt. And of course, Lauren's dad will be riding along with me.
Anonymous

“Congratulations Tom! Keep riding to beat cancer!”
$258.75
Received this donation 23 days ago

Tom

“Dear "A", thank you so much for your support and generosity for me, the kids and this cause. Not sure who you are but you must be a caring person. And thanks for doing this on Match Day!”

Dear "A", thank you so much for your support and generosity for me, the kids and this cause. Not sure who you are but you must be a caring person. And thanks for doing this on Match Day!
Michael Mullen

“The jerseys were just for fun. Hope this gets marched.”
$258.75
Received this donation 23 days ago

Tom

“Mike, how great to see your very generous donation to this cause. And thanks for your support of me and joining my list of sponsors again this year. Yes, your donation was matched.”

Mike, how great to see your very generous donation to this cause. And thanks for your support of me and joining my list of sponsors again this year. Yes, your donation was matched.
Scott Schultz
$258.75
Received this donation 22 days ago

Tom

“Scott, Brooke, Viv and Alex - Thanks for your second donation this year and doing it on Match Day. And securing the matching gift from MOT.”

Scott, Brooke, Viv and Alex - Thanks for your second donation this year and doing it on Match Day. And securing the matching gift from MOT.

Donate Now

I Am Riding For

Pat & Tim G & Tim C, and in honor of Scott

Three of my longtime friends, who left us too early, will be along with me this year - in my thoughts and with my music playing loudly. And riding in honor of Scott, who battled cancer in 2022.