A high school junior is organizing a charity bicycle ride for this Saturday up in Blaine on the Canadian border to raise funds for a family whose daughter is undergoing treatment for leukemia.
Olivia Sellinger pitched in to help when she heard that Jessica Walters, her 3-year-old neighbor, had been diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Sellinger used to babysit for Jessica.
When she heard that Jessica was undergoing chemotherapy at Children's Hospital in Seattle, Sellinger began raising money to help offset the family's medical bills and launched plans for the “Ride for the Warrior Princess” bike ride.
Insurance cancels
The NorthernLight.com reports that the Walters' insurance carrier cancelled its policy when Jessica became sick. The family found another insurance company, but more of the expenses must be paid by the family. Just one of the medicines the family must provide, for instance, costs $300 per month.
As of mid-July, the Health Care Fund for Jessica had raised slightly more than $1,000.
Bike ride
Sellinger and other supporters of Jessica are hoping for a big turnout for the bike ride, called “Ride for the Warrior Princess.” The ride starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at Birch Bay State Park (see bike route maps), just south of Blaine, Washington.
The 10-mile ride costs $10, and the 25-mile ride costs $25. Registration and pledge forms are available at theJessica, Warrior Princess website.
Sellinger also is looking for volunteers to help on the route and at a planned barbecue following the ride.
Donations can be made at the Jessica, Warrior Princess website.
Photo of Jessica, above, from the website.
Recent Comments