Springville Elementary student bikes to beat cancer

Think back to what you were doing on Sunday, July 13. Most likely you were taking it easy, enjoying a summer Sunday. Maybe attending a barbecue or your kid’s Little League game.

No offense, but 11-year old Cameron Humphreys did something a little bit more exciting.

He rode his bike 101 miles as part of the American Cancer Society’s annual Bike-A-Thon.

The Bike-a-Thon, in its 42nd year, is an annual event that begins on the Ben Franklin Bridge and ends at the Buena Vista Camping Park in Atlantic County. There are various starting points throughout the route in Cherry Hill, Shamong and Hammonton to allow for riders of all different skill levels to participate. This year’s event had more than 3,000 participants and has already raised more than $1.2 million for cancer research.

In 2012, Cameron rode the last leg of the trip, which totals 21 miles, and raised $1,040 in the process. A 21-mile bike ride is a daunting task for anyone, let alone a then 9-year-old boy, but when his dad Dave asked if he was sure he wanted to do it, Cameron’s response was simple.

“If Pop-Pop Bill can fight cancer, I can ride my bike 21 miles,” Cameron said.

Earlier that year, Cameron’s grandfather, Bill Williams, passed away after an eight-month battle with lung cancer. Cameron’s relationship with his grandfather was a close one.

After the previous year’s success, Cameron told Dave that he wanted to complete the entire 65-mile ride and raise even more money. Dave couldn’t help but be motivated by his son’s drive.

“To see him getting up at 6 a.m. every day to go ride for two hours is just an incredible inspiration. He’s what got me back onto my bike and riding again,” Dave said.

To help prepare for the ride, the Humphreys began riding with a nearby bicycle club, Team Evesham. Dave credited Team Evesham for helping develop Cameron’s love of cycling.

“They are top notch, just a group of quality, selfless people. It motivates him to join the group for their weekly rides,” Dave said.

With both the 21-mile and 65-mile ride under his belt, Cameron had a new goal for this year’s ride: Complete the Bike-A-Thon’s longest distance, 101 miles.

This year also provided even more motivation. Cameron was riding for his great grandmother, diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, and his friend Alec, a fellow fourth-grader at Springville Elementary School, currently battling leukemia.

The journey through South Jersey began at 6:30 a.m., Sunday, July 13 on the Ben Franklin Bridge.

After performing the ceremonial ribbon cutting, Cameron started pedaling. He reached the first rest stop at Cherry Hill High School East. Twelve miles down, 89 to go.

Winding through Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Evesham Township on Kresson and Tuckerton Road, the next break comes at Indian Mills Memorial School in Shamong. There are people who would be tired of riding in a car at this point let alone a bicycle.

Cameron just kept pedaling.

Down Route 206 through the heart of the Pine Barrens and across Moss Mill Road, Cameron and Dave started to tire.

“On about six different occasions I tried to convince Cameron to pack it in. I was selfish,” Dave said with a laugh. “But he turned around and yelled at me, ‘I told everyone I was going to do this. I’m not going to quit.”

Both Cameron and Dave reached the finish line just about nine hours after the journey began in Pennsylvania.

“We met Alec for the last three miles and the people at the finish line were clapping for us. The motorcycles were revving their engines,” Dave said. “It was cool, a really great thing.”

The fundraising will continue for Cameron in August but in a much less strenuous way for him and his family.

“Dining for a Cure” will take place Friday, Aug. 29 at the Indian Spring Country Club, 115 S. Elmwood Road in Marlton.

“We thought this was a great way to hold an event that the entire community could get involved with,” Dave said.

Anyone is invited to join Cameron’s fight by attending an evening full of entertainment, inspiration, socialization and fundraising. The event begins at 7 p.m. with a cocktail hour and cash bar. Tickets are $50 and must be purchased by Aug. 22. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Tickets are available for purchase at http://diningforacure.eventbrite.com.

For more information or to volunteer to help run the event, call Dave at (267) 441–6706 or email dj.humphreys@yahoo.com.