Written By  Ben Maxwell        

*Co-Captain of the Wheels of Justice Cycling Team

Walking through the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) at the Main campus of Children’s' Hospital in Aurora, you realize the gravity of the task at hand.  The doctors I've gotten to know on bike rides through the years, greet us at the door.  They have us wash and sterilize our hands, then head through the double doors.  Although the new hospital has done an amazing job creating a bright cheerful atmosphere, you can see the heartache emanating from the families walking through the hallways.  The family members we pass are giving us the ever-so-polite smile; but we know they are suffering through life's greatest challenge. The hospital rooms are full of children receiving life-saving treatments; from toddlers watching cartoons, all the way through high schoolers texting on their phones. All the kids are just hoping to get on with their regular lives, knowing nothing different then the challenges in front of them. They are life’s true inspirational stories; there is strength to be drawn from both the success of those cured, as well as the ones that aren’t as lucky. 

I got involved with the Wheels of Justice 9 years ago as a ‘fun weekend of cycling and being around friends’ well before I even had my own children.  It has grown into an important part of my life and I was very honored last year to be given the nod to be one of the co-captains of the team by our amazing founder, Heather Leja. In our amazing success of raising over $400,000 per year or $4 mil over 14 years, our charity is no longer optional, but the responsibility of all of us to the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD).  All the money that Wheels of Justice raises in the Courage Classic goes to the CCBD, to directly fund two programs that frankly would not exist without our support.  We provide all the funding for the family counseling and psychological care for all the children and families fighting for their lives in the program.  The program gives families and the children someone to talk to, to learn from, and to lean on during their treatment.  Secondly, our money supports seed grants for our doctors to be able to research, apply for and receive multi-million dollar grants for new treatment procedures, therapies and cures to the cancers and blood disorders that affect so many children in our state.

Having 2 young children of our own, the thought of sitting on the opposite side of that tour, of being that family member walking the halls in a daze, not knowing the outcome of my child’s health is terrifying. 

We at HM Capital Group have sponsored this event through both Watson and Elements Massage throughout the years, and we invite you to help as well.  Those parents and children walking the halls feel helpless and in some cases hopeless.  Our goal is to change that for as many families as we can.  Every dollar matters and as evidenced by our group, a lot of small donations can really add up, so donate what you can.  Thank you for your support and if you have any interest in riding with us, please reach out and we will gladly get you up and going.  The Courage Classic 

With Grattitude,

Ben & Renee Maxwell