2025 The Great Cycle Challenge - Cathy Mire Davis
The Great Cycle Challenge
Has a Personal Meaning
for Cathy Mire Davis
Denis Branch
One afternoon, in 2017, as I was driving home, I saw a group of bikers on the levee with their bikes all lit up! I said to myself, "That looks like fun. I would like to do that."
The next day, at the gym, I started asking around if anyone knew anything about this biking group. I was told to get in touch with Vicki Johnson-Cain. Vicki was heading up a group by the name, “Willpower Riders Social & Fitness Group.” We would meet up around 6:30 PM, light up our bikes, and ride the Mississippi River levee or around the neighborhood. Then, we would stop for a meal or drinks.
St. Rose Tavern
That June, Vicki asked me to join her team for the Great Cycle Challenge to bring more awareness to childhood cancer. "The Challenge," is to pledge a number of miles to ride in one month to raise money for Children’s Cancer Research.
I accepted the challenge, and I would be riding my bike for my great nephew, Hunter Hoffman who is the son of Megan Kenney Hoffmann and Jon Hoffman, the grandson of Tracey Kenney, and the great-grandson of Polly Mire Pepitone (Denis Branch).
Hunter Hoffmann
In December of 2013, at the age of 4, Hunter Hoffmann was diagnosed with Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB) at the New Orleans Children's Hospital. There, Hunter would receive 42 chemo treatments to fight this aggressive cancer.
To support Hunter and kids like him, I participated in the Great Cycle Challenge every year: 2017, 2018 and 2019 until the Covid-19 pandemic years. Then, in 2021 Hurricane Ida, a Category 4, hit South Louisiana requiring us to do many house repairs and clean-up. In 2022, I was unable to participate due to a few health issues.
Nevertheless, when I received an email from Great Cycle Challenge (GCC) in August 2023, I decided to register, get on my bike, and ride, again, despite having a total hip replacement of my right hip that July. I was determined to start regaining my strength.
My orthopedic doctor approved me cycling, again, but I could only pledge to ride 75 miles, and raise $500 as I did not know just how far I could ride. Happily, I did get my 75 miles in, and I beat my monetary goal by raising more than I had pledged through Facebook for a total of $800!
I really love taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge for Children’s Cancer Research, so, I registered, again, this past August for 2024. This year made the 5th year participating in the Great Cycle Challenge, and to my excitement, on August 21, 2024, on Tribute Day, I had my photo on the Times Square Billboard!
Times Square Billboard
I have earned 4 jerseys out of 5 years of participation for raising over $500 each year. The participants of the 2024 Great Cycle Challenge raised $7,672,474 to fight kids' cancer.
4 Jerseys for Goals Met
So, how is Hunter Hoffmann doing, today? Despite having a few challenges due to the treatments, he is doing quite well. Hunter loves the outdoors, hunts, fishes, and plays football, too. He's a typical teen who has overcome much, and he is, carefully, monitored at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Tennessee.
Hunter Hoffmann
This has been such an awesome experience to be involved in for such a wonderful cause. If you wish to support me, please go to: Great Cycle Challenge - Catherine Davis Posted December 9, 2024.
Written by: Cathy Mire Davis