Connie Merchant

Cancer is the biggest killer of kids from disease in the USA, 38 children die every week. Please donate now and support my challenge to fight kids' cancer!

Donate Now

I've Ridden 305.0 mi to fight kids' cancer

My Rankings

National: 88th
State: 4th in NJ

I've raised $6,815 to fight kids' cancer Donate Now

I'm Riding For

Sully Shields, Zora

My Story

10 Aug 2026

This September, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!

Why? Because right now, cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the United States. Over 15,700 children are diagnosed every year, and sadly, 38 children die of cancer every week.

Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.

One such kid is Sully Shields, a brave 13-year old from Maryland. He was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma at age four, was treated, relapsed and then cancer free for years. In April of 2023, he was diagnosed with another form of cancer. Sully fought bravely with a positive attitude and a winning smile. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with cancer in early September 2023.

We have come to know several families on this cancer-fighting roller coaster. We have to find better treatment options for these kids!

So I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids, thinking especially of Sully and his family every mile, to support Children's Cancer Research Fund to allow them to continue their work to develop lifesaving treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.

Please support me by making a donation to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.

Your support will change little lives.

Thank you.

Connie

aka Geeber Con, Con Dizzle, Contraire, Sis

My Legacy

Here's my personal impact over 3 years to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

102 mi Ridden

$3,332 Raised

2023
164 mi Ridden

$4,357 Raised

2025
305 mi Ridden

$6,815 Raised

2026

571 mi

Ridden

$14,504

Raised

My Challenge

Some final thoughts

1 Oct 2026

Yesterday was my last-and longest – ride. I actually rode a bit more slowly than my previous rides. Recently my New Jersey pastor, Jessica, gave a sermon recently about “noticing”.

So on my final ride, I was noticing:

-Planters on porches, changing from summer flowers to fall mums

-Halloween decorations

-Puddles of standing water, left over from last weekend’s storms

-Beach residences with shades drawn, and no cars in the driveway, owners probably gone until the spring

-Fewer cars on every road

-shorter hours for retail establishments

-some stores shuttered permanently

-beach access still restricted

I’ve been so inspired by my donors’ generosity.

So many of you have been affected directly or indirectly by a cancer diagnosis.

I’ve also been inspired by reading the posts of other riders around the country.

Pastor Jess also gave a sermon this month about “Thanks”-

I want to be sure to express my thanks to all of you for your donations and encouragement.

I thank Patty Whitehouse for introducing me to the GCC community. And I thank Amy Shields for opening my eyes to the difficult choices that parents have to make after receiving such a diagnosis.

I thank the other riders for their pictures, their posts of their success, as well as their frustrations and injuries, and heartwarming stories. ❤️

Thanks to the doctors, the nurses, and everyone on cancer care teams.🥰

I feel gratitude and admiration for the scientists and researchers who work every day to discover new treatments.👏

And thanks to the families of these kids who shared their stories and their medical and emotional journeys. I continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers. I’ve been thinking this month especially about Sully Shields from Annapolis, Zora from Indiana, and Madison from Ohio. I am reminded daily of one of our little ambassadors, 4 year old Charlotte. Her picture/story is still on my refrigerator. ❤️

We WILL find better treatments for these kids.

As we say at The Great Cycle Challenge-“children should be living life, not fighting for it.”

Posted 5 days ago
24.0 mi ride - Last day – South Bethany and more - Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Logged this ride 5 days ago
18.0 mi ride - Bear Trap and more - Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Logged this ride 6 days ago
12.0 mi ride - De indoor 5 - Monday, September 28, 2026

Logged this ride 7 days ago
Oh, the powerful ocean

28 Sep 2026

I returned to Delaware to try to get my miles in by riding in a flat area, with decent bike lanes.

Mother nature had other plans. We experienced a powerful nor’easter along the East Coast. Strong winds and pounding rain have done great damage to our beautiful beaches.

I’ve been forced to ride indoors at a local gym. 😖That is hardly what I had in mind for this month.

But circumstances change and we have to adapt.

All this talk about flooding, has caused me to think of these families and these kids for whom I ride. They must be flooded with emotion when they receive such a diagnosis. They are flooded with information which they have to swim through to make the best choices they can for their child. I imagine sometimes they feel they are drowning in it all. And I think of the scientists and researchers who spend their days trying to discover new and better treatments. They also may be flooded with new data, failed experiments and threats of less funding.

Today, as the winds have gotten calmer and the sea is less threatening, I sent a prayer of hope to all of those involved in this important work. Wishing a period of calm for the kids, their families, their caregivers and the researchers.❤️

Posted 8 days ago
13.0 mi ride - De indoor 4 - Sunday, September 27, 2026

Logged this ride 8 days ago
12.0 mi ride - De indoor 3 - Saturday, September 26, 2026

Logged this ride 9 days ago
11.0 mi ride - De indoor3 - Friday, September 25, 2026

Logged this ride 10 days ago
Against the wind

25 Sep 2026

As I was riding today, I was thinking about this old song from the 1980s. I was really riding against the wind. There were several times when I felt the wind gust actually blowing me and my bike sideways . Here in Delaware we are experiencing what is called a nor’easter. The winds are significant I am afraid it is going to erode our already vulnerable coastline. There’s not much rain – but the winds push the water into streams and canals. There is significant flooding in low lying areas.

I think about the families I am riding for. There must be days when they are flooded with emotion and overwhelmed with decision-making. I imagine there are days when they feel “underwater “.

I can only hope that the funds raised this month will help scientists discover better options for the kids and their families.

So these last days of September, I think about Sully, Zora, Madison (in Ohio) and our ambassador kids, Charlotte and Kai. They are so brave and strong.

Posted 11 days ago
15.0 mi ride - Against the wind - Thursday, September 24, 2026

Logged this ride 11 days ago

My Sponsors

Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation

“Here's your matched donation from a group of wonderful Children's Cancer Research Fund supporters. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$1,488.55
Received this donation 26 days ago

Connie

“Thanks to our matching partners. We are able to move the total into a great range because of your commitment.❤️”

Thanks to our matching partners. We are able to move the total into a great range because of your commitment.❤️
Anonymous
$750
Received this donation 27 days ago

Connie

“Thanks so much for putting me over the top for my goal. We will find better solutions for these kids and their families❤️”

Thanks so much for putting me over the top for my goal. We will find better solutions for these kids and their families❤️
Stephen Bragg

“Happy to support two great causes in one!”
$517.50
Received this donation 45 days ago

Connie

“Wow, Steve! Thanks so much for your generous donation. This will fuel me to keep cycling for the kids and their families. I’ll check in with you again in September to share my progress and my blog posts. Thanks again!”

Wow, Steve! Thanks so much for your generous donation. This will fuel me to keep cycling for the kids and their families. I’ll check in with you again in September to share my progress and my blog posts. Thanks again!
MD Mayhem Merchant’s

“Proud of your determination and commitment!! Keep it up.”
$310.50
Received this donation 26 days ago

Connie

“Thanks my wonderful Annapolis crew. We know directly how these kids and their families are impacted by such a diagnosis'. I’m wearing my “smile like sully” bracelet every day ❤️”

Thanks my wonderful Annapolis crew. We know directly how these kids and their families are impacted by such a diagnosis'. I’m wearing my “smile like sully” bracelet every day ❤️
Audrey Williams

“Connie, You're an inspiration! Happy Riding! 💕 Audrey”
$258.75
Received this donation 26 days ago

Connie

“Thanks Audrey! You know what a challenge it is to receive a diagnosis and then have to choose treatments. Your contribution will help find new solutions for the families.❤️🙏”

Thanks Audrey! You know what a challenge it is to receive a diagnosis and then have to choose treatments. Your contribution will help find new solutions for the families.❤️🙏
Sarah and Frank Kaiser

“We are so proud of you cycling for this worthy cause. Thank you for being so dedicated. We will pray for all affected by cancer and honor your efforts. Much love. Sarah and Frank.”
$207
Received this donation 37 days ago

Connie

“Thanks so much! These kids and their families need better options. Your donation will support the research they need.❤️”

Thanks so much! These kids and their families need better options. Your donation will support the research they need.❤️
The Mehans

“Wishing you good luck, Connie!”
$207
Received this donation 39 days ago

Connie

“Helen-thank you so much for your donation. Researchers are working hard to find better solutions for these families.”

Helen-thank you so much for your donation. Researchers are working hard to find better solutions for these families.
Michael Simpson & Janice Volk

“Go, Connie, Go! And thanks for upping the mileage goal too! That's an awesome effort!”
$155.25
Received this donation 32 days ago

Connie

“Thanks Mike and Janice- your donation will go towards more research to find better solutions for these families.❤️”

Thanks Mike and Janice- your donation will go towards more research to find better solutions for these families.❤️
Carolina Nature Nook

“Proud of you Connie! Ken and I did a bike trip for our honeymoon 41 years ago! Not easy! I know Ken would want to donate if he was still with us. I do as well, it's truly a wonderful cause!”
$103.50
Received this donation 25 days ago

Connie

“Thanks Michele. I will keep that thought as I ride. These kids and their families need better treatment options. Your donation will help fun this much needed research ❤️”

Thanks Michele. I will keep that thought as I ride. These kids and their families need better treatment options. Your donation will help fun this much needed research ❤️
Carrie Mastropaolo
$103.50
Received this donation 27 days ago

Connie

“Thanks Carrie-your donation will help researchers discover much needed alternatives to current treatment treatments. These kids and their families need better choices.. thanks for supporting my ride”

Thanks Carrie-your donation will help researchers discover much needed alternatives to current treatment treatments. These kids and their families need better choices.. thanks for supporting my ride
christina south
$103.50
Received this donation 26 days ago

Connie

“Thanks South Family- your contribution will help researchers find better solutions for these kids and their families! ❤️🙏”

Thanks South Family- your contribution will help researchers find better solutions for these kids and their families! ❤️🙏
Daniel Merchant
$103.50
Received this donation 13 days ago

Connie
Erin Johnston

“Go Geeber!”
$103.50
Received this donation 45 days ago

Connie

“Thank you my dear daughter in law.!❤️”

Thank you my dear daughter in law.!❤️
Helene and Jim

“Go Connie!!!!”
$103.50
Received this donation 32 days ago

Connie

“Thanks for your support of my ride. You guys have inspired me many times. Your determination and commitment to each other and to cycling is an inspiration. Let’s hope these donations lead to better choice choices for these little kids and their families.❤️”

Thanks for your support of my ride. You guys have inspired me many times. Your determination and commitment to each other and to cycling is an inspiration. Let’s hope these donations lead to better choice choices for these little kids and their families.❤️
John&Toni Simpson-Whitfield

“Do it, Geebs!”
$103.50
Received this donation 39 days ago

Connie

“Thanks, John and Tony for your contribution to my ride. We hope that researchers will discover some better, more effective treatments for these kids, so they can live life to the fullest.”

Thanks, John and Tony for your contribution to my ride. We hope that researchers will discover some better, more effective treatments for these kids, so they can live life to the fullest.
Katherine Wasilewski

“Thank you for continuing to put your time & cycling to help so many.”
$103.50
Received this donation 10 days ago

Connie

“K- thanks so much for the donation. I continue to ride indoors this week because of the awful weather here. But that is a slight inconvenience compared to some of the challenges. These these families have to deal with.. your donation will help these researchers come up with better treatments”

K- thanks so much for the donation. I continue to ride indoors this week because of the awful weather here. But that is a slight inconvenience compared to some of the challenges. These these families have to deal with.. your donation will help these researchers come up with better treatments
Kathleen kimple

“Way to step up for kids. You are amazing ! J&K”
$103.50
Received this donation 38 days ago

Connie

“Thanks, Jack and Kathy Appreciate your support of my ride and your donation. We hope scientist will discover some better solutions for these kids and their families.”

Thanks, Jack and Kathy Appreciate your support of my ride and your donation. We hope scientist will discover some better solutions for these kids and their families.
Lauren Wright

“Thank you Connie for riding for children. I greatly appreciate your effort. I make this donation in honor of my niece Heather who died from brain cancer. Heather had reoccurring cancer three times. I also do this to help my sweet nephew Declan who lives day after day fighting his autoimmune diagnosis. So much research and trials need to be continued in order to find improved treatments and hopefully, cures in the future. Please remember the families of these children for they too suffer so. RIDE ON DEAR FRIEND”
$103.50
Received this donation 55 days ago

Connie

“Thanks Lauren- your contribution will help researchers to discover better solutions for these kids and their families!❤️🙏”

Thanks Lauren- your contribution will help researchers to discover better solutions for these kids and their families!❤️🙏
Maggie Mikolay

“Go Connie Go!!!”
$103.50
Received this donation 26 days ago

Connie

“Thanks Mikolay Family! I’m proud to ride in memory of Sully and in honor of little Zora and Charlotte. We must find better treatment options for these families!!❤️🙏”

Thanks Mikolay Family! I’m proud to ride in memory of Sully and in honor of little Zora and Charlotte. We must find better treatment options for these families!!❤️🙏
Marilee Casale

“Connie - we are so proud of your hard work and big heart. Pedal strong, have fun, and remember we are cheering for you every single mile! Good Luck!”
$103.50
Received this donation 47 days ago

Connie

“Thanks to you, Marilee and Joe for your support. You know all too well but it’s like to have little kids in medical crisis. These donations will help researchers discover better solutions for the kids and their families.”

Thanks to you, Marilee and Joe for your support. You know all too well but it’s like to have little kids in medical crisis. These donations will help researchers discover better solutions for the kids and their families.