Tom Schultz
- National: 9th
- State: 2nd in IL
- My Team: 1st
I'm Riding For
Pat & Tim
Both 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.
My Story
At the end of the 2021 Great Cycle Challenge, I asked through this site - Should I participate in 2022 in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer? Most of you knew what I would do.
This September, I am taking part again - my sixth year - in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
This year again, I am on Team Kahleesi. Kahleesi is a 3 year old and was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma when she was only 9 months old. She is currently in remission.
Who am I riding for this year? Well, 2 friends will be riding along with me.
In the past, I was riding for a long time friend, Pat, who lost his battle with cancer in 2020.
This year, I added someone else to my team. In 2021, we lost our good friend Tim. We spent more than a few miles on the bike trails over the years, along with other activities.
With your support over the past five years, we were able to raise over $17,750. THANK YOU!
My big goal for this year - raise one more dollar than 2021. Hoping we can get there.
Your support will change lives.
This is not just an event - it's a movement to end childhood cancer...
Onward!
Tom
My Challenge
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Hello August!
27 Jul 2022Here we are, almost into August. The bike needs to find its way out on the trail soon, or the riding part of the challenge in September will really be a challenge.
In the month of July, eight sponsors added their names to my list, bringing the total to 38 donors. Contributions to the cancer fund now are approaching $6000.
As you know, I am riding with my friends Pat and Tim, who both left us too early. This month I am going to highlight Tim.
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Tim and I first met through our sons being on the same youth baseball team. Then we connected through Indian Princess with our daughters. Golf entered the scene soon thereafter – we played together a lot over the years. And yes, biking was another activity we shared all the time – early, late, weather -good, hot & cold, and sometimes wet. All along the way, we shared much and became great friends.
We both were able to know each other families. Tim truly got to know Sue, our kids and spouses, my mom, my siblings and even our grandkids. In fact, the last time I saw Tim before he passed away, we went for a walk with our youngest granddaughter.
How to describe Tim? Strong work ethic, very personable, fun, great laugh, family oriented, very supportive to almost anyone he met.
Tim suffered a major heart attack in June 2019. Somehow, he made it through that and the rehab. In fact, about 75 days after the heart attack, he was out playing golf. But the impact from the heart issue caused other complications. Tim passed away on July 7th, 2021. Sometimes on my local bike rides, I do visit Tim’s grave, music playing.
I miss my friend Tim as many others do. I was blessed to have our paths cross.
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Thanks for being on my team!
Posted 18 days ago -
$5,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just hit $5,000 to fight kids' cancer! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 48 days ago -
Happy July!
27 Jun 2022Maybe a few days away for July but the official registration for the 2022 Great Cycle Challenge begins this week. The bike part of the challenge still starts in September.
Yes, I started early in getting the word out. There are 28 sponsors on my list, for a total of $4700 so far. I have set a goal of $7501, which is one dollar more than raised in 2021. Doing what we can, as we never know when cancer will enter our lives.
As you know, I am riding with my friends Pat and Tim, who left us too early. This month I am going to highlight Pat. Many of you knew him very well. Last year in 2021, the GCC group highlighted my story with Pat, which is shared below.
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Tom is riding for his 5th time in Great Cycle Challenge… and in 5 years he’s raised an incredible $15,472 to KICK CANCER’S BUTT!
Tom rides for a very special person in his heart, his very close friend, Pat.
Sadly, Pat passed away from cancer on the 5th of September 2020.
Pat’s cancer was first detected in August of 2018 and Pat battled hard right up until the day of his passing.
Tom and Pat first met while they were both working for the same corporation in 1984, and since then, they shared an incredible friendship… which lasted almost 36 years.
Tom and Pat would often play golf together and their families got to know each other very well over the years.
As Tom told us, “Pat was fun, smart, hardworking, hard playing, family orientated and a very supportive friend to many”.
Tom, we will hold your dear friend Pat in our hearts when we ride next month.
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Pat was part of our golf group from the beginning in 1986. If you want to see more of Pat, take a look at the video, for as little or as long as you like.
https://video214.com/play/nIQ6szI1zFiBZnHWWU9Hgw/s/dark
Thanks for being on my team!
Posted 48 days ago -
June already?
3 Jun 2022The fun and activities and warmth of summer have arrived - and hopefully to stay around for awhile.
During May, my bike found the trails again and the golf clubs made their way to some golf courses. Kayaks? Ready to go.
With the official part of this challenge still three months away, our progress remains great.
In the month of May, six sponsors added their name to my list, bringing the total to 26 donors. Contributions to the cancer fund now are approaching $4500.
Most importantly, thank you!
Posted 72 days ago -
April showers bring May flowers?
29 Apr 2022Let's hope so and we get some warmth in May.
Back for my monthly update.
Well, my bike is ready, as are my golf clubs, but I haven't used either of those yet.
There are still 4 months left until the official ride time begins for me. Thanks to you, we are off to a great start, with 20 sponsors on my list and almost $3700 donated.
Thanks for making a difference for this cause.
Posted 107 days ago -
For my 6th year - off to a quick start
1 Apr 2022Please continue reading my 5000 words note here - not really - April Fools.
No fooling here. It was only 3 weeks ago that I signed up for the 2022 challenge and sent out my note to all of you. In that short time, we now have 19 sponsors and have raised over $3600. Amazing! And I haven't even got on my bike yet.
Thanks for your donations and all your kind words of support.
Although the actual bike ride part of this challenge doesn't begin until September, I will send along updates at the beginning of each month.
Thanks for being on this ride with me.
Posted 136 days ago -
$2,500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just hit $2,500 to fight kids' cancer! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 150 days ago -
$1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just hit $1,000 to fight kids' cancer! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 156 days ago -
$500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just hit $500 to fight kids' cancer! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 156 days ago -
$250 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just hit $250 to fight kids' cancer! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 156 days ago
My Sponsors
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Mary Dempsey
“Go Tom Go!”
$517.50Received this donation 156 days ago
Tom
“Demps, Thanks for very generous donation and so happy to have you of my list of sponsors for this cause. The official challenge is still about 6 months away, so more than enough time to "cram" for it.”
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BoYoung & Tip
“"In the blink of an eye, weeks, hours, minutes, seconds, everything you have known can change as quickly as a heartbeat. Cherish moments with those you love. Go for a ride." bikersfirst/Harley Davidson. Have fun.”
$263.93Received this donation 81 days ago
Tom
“BoYoung and Tip, so great to have you joining my sponsor list again this year. And thanks for your generous donation to this cause. Thanks for sharing the quote and showing us over the last 18 months how to navigate some speedbumps. Onward! ”
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Ann Simms
“Tom, the challenge that you undertake every year for these kids continues to warm my heart and make me smile. Enjoy the ride!”
$258.75Received this donation 140 days ago
Tom
“Ann, thank you for your kind words and generous donation as you join my list again. Here we are teaming again, as we have done for so many years. I think you are always smiling.”
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Karen McDonough
“Tom, you are such an inspiration. Thank you!”
$258.75Received this donation 138 days ago
Tom
“Karen, 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 with the weather getting better, time for more adventures for you. Thanks again.”
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Lauren Amich
“Congratulations to another year of riding for such a great cause. My dad sure will be riding along with you again this year!”
$258.75Received this donation 153 days ago
Tom
“Lauren, Thanks to you and your family on joining me again on the sponsor list this year. Of course, your dad will be along with me. ”
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Mark Valentine
“Well done Tom on another year of riding your bike!”
$258.75Received this donation 156 days ago
Tom
“Chris and Mark, thank you both for adding your names to my sponsor list again this year. And a generous donation. Anything we can do to help the little ones and their families.”
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Michael Kelly
“Happy to support you, Tom. Well done.”
$258.75Received this donation 152 days ago
Tom
“Kell, thanks for your generous donation and joining my lineup again this year. It is helping out a great cause, as we also remember our good friends Pat and Tim. Onward!”
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Anonymous
“I'd like to see you ride all these miles on an old Schwinn bike(red, of course) with a banana seat and a sissy bar.”
$258.75Received this donation 156 days ago
Tom
“Dear Anonymous, thank you again this year for sponsoring me and helping out with the cause. If you can find that red bike again near Maryville, I will ride it.”
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Bill & Sue Haave
$250Received this donation 18 days ago
Tom
“Sue & Bill, thanks for your generous donation again this year. And the matching donation you received. Great to have you on my sponsor list for all these years.”
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Field Fastner
$250Received this donation 18 days ago
Tom
“Thanks for your matching donation.”
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Glenn Gienko
“Tom, thanks for doing this and do well my friend”
$207Received this donation 156 days ago
Tom
“Chris ad Glenn, thanks for your donation again this year to this special cause. Great to have your names on my list. And anything we can do to help little ones and their families, sign us up.”
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John & Kristin Muntean
“What a great cause...thanks for including us on your team!!! Looking forward to your posts.”
$207Received this donation 48 days ago
Tom
“Kristin & John, thanks for joining my sponsor list again this year with your generous donation to help the kids and families touched by cancer. Onward!”
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Facebook Fundraiser Donation
$200Received this donation 107 days ago
Tom
“Viv, Alex, Brooke and Scott - thank you for your generous donation to support this cause. So happy to have you on my list for the 6th year. Looking forward to being on the trail with my little helpers again this year. And taking our group picture again soon - with an added kid this year.”
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Facebook Fundraiser Donation
$200Received this donation 147 days ago
Tom
“Mike M, how great to see your donation to this cause. And thanks for your support of me and joining my list of sponsors again this year. Hope all is well.”
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Neal Levin
“Great cause, Tom! Good luck!”
$155.25Received this donation 152 days ago
Tom
“Amy and Neal, Nice to have you on my sponsor list again this year and join me as I ride. Thanks for your donation to this cause and the families impacted by cancer.”
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Facebook Fundraiser Donation
$150Received this donation 103 days ago
Tom
“Sarah, Drew and Leo - thanks for your generous donation and joining my list of sponsors. Just trying to do what we can to help the kids and families touched by cancer.”
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Glenn Gienko
“Keep peddling Tom!”
$124.20Received this donation 72 days ago
Tom
“Chris and Glenn, thanks for sending another donation towards this cause. ”
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Glenn Gienko
“Keep it going Tom. Glenn”
$124.20Received this donation 47 days ago
Tom
“Chris & Glenn, thank you for another donation this year and your ongoing support over the years for this cause and me.”
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PJ Cullerton
“Go get ‘em Schultzie ! Beautiful tribute to your friends. Onward and Upward! Grateful for all you do for the kids. Stay well. 🤗”
$124.20Received this donation 150 days ago
Tom
“PJ, how great to have you join my team again this year. And you donated on St. Pat's Day. As you well know, we miss those friends who left us too early. Thanks for your support of the kids and their families and me. Yes - Onward!”
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Anonymous
$124.20Received this donation 141 days ago
Tom
“Dear Anonymous, thanks for your generous donation in support of the kids and this cause. Happy to have you on my list of sponsors this year. Thanks!”