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 98.0 mi My goal is 300 mi

My Rankings

National: 77th
State: 4th in NJ

I've raised $6,420 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
98 mi Ridden

$6,420 Raised

2026

364 mi

Ridden

$14,109

Raised

My Challenge

10.0 mi ride - Garage 2 - Monday, September 14, 2026

Logged this ride 1 day ago
9.0 mi ride - Powderhorn 3 - Saturday, September 12, 2026

Logged this ride 3 days ago
11.0 mi ride - YMCA 2 - Friday, September 11, 2026

Logged this ride 4 days ago
Grandparents

11 Sep 2026

This week, as we approach Grandparents Day on Sunday, I’ve been thinking about grandparents and grandchildren. We called my maternal grandparents MomMom and PopPop. Our paternal grandmother‘s nickname was Nan.

The siblings and I have a variety of memories of each of them. MomMom was a seamstress. I remember women coming to the house to have her “take in” a dress or “take up” a hem. She made slip covers and draperies. She even had one of those dress forms on a stand. Pop Pop was an electrician by trade and a true tinkerer. He loved to fix just about anything and he created things.

We loved staying overnight at their house. We played a lot of board games and card games.

Nan was famous for her fruitcake-a recipe in her handwriting that I recently discovered.

I think about how my parents and Doug‘s parents grandparented our boys. They each had their own style and own gifts to share with them.

And now as Doug and I are grandparents, we navigate the complexities of grandparenting in these times. It is such a joy. I often tell people that grandparenting is “delicious “.

I picture each grandchild in my mind, as I am riding. And I am especially thinking of our Charlotte this month. 😘 She is a fascinating four year-old, full of spunk and love. One of the child ambassadors for the Great Cycle Challenge is also a four-year-old girl named Charlotte. She has been bravely fighting B Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia since September 2024. She is currently in maintenance treatment, which includes both daily and weekly oral chemo medications and a lumbar puncture and port chemo every three months. She and her family have been through a lot. So I picture her face and our Charlotte’s face as I ride. And I continue to pray for these researchers to come up with better solutions for these families..❤️

Posted 4 days ago
10.0 mi ride - Indoor Powderhorn - Thursday, September 10, 2026

Logged this ride 5 days ago
Sunrise, Sunset…

9 Sep 2026

This week, as I have been riding, I have this song in my head. As I remember it, it is from “fiddler on the roof “.?

The kids are heading back to school.-photos on the front porch being taken, with or without the pets, new backpacks, sharpened pencils, new teachers, new start times 😁. How could we have a granddaughter starting high school? Sunrise, sunset…

As I ride for these children and their families, I imagine many of them struggle with the passing of time. When life is consumed by doctor appointments, lab results, treatments, and medication, it is hard to see the positive.

All of us who ride for this cause hope and pray that scientists can discover better solutions for the kids and their families.

Sunrise, Sunset

Song by Perry Como

Lyrics

Is this the little girl I carried

Is this the little boy at play?

I don't remember growing older

When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty

When did he grow to be so tall?

Wasn't it yesterday that they were small?

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as they gaze

Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

Posted 7 days ago
11.0 mi ride - Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Logged this ride 7 days ago
11.0 mi ride - Y 1 - Friday, September 4, 2026

Logged this ride 11 days ago
$2,500 raised to fight kids' cancer!

I just raised $2,500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved SUPERHERO LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

Posted 11 days ago
11.0 mi ride - Powderhorn 1 - Thursday, September 3, 2026

Logged this ride 12 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 5 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 6 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 24 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 6 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 6 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 16 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 19 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 12 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 5 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 7 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 6 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! ❤️🙏
Erin Johnston

“Go Geeber!”
$103.50
Received this donation 25 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 12 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 19 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.
Kathleen kimple

“Way to step up for kids. You are amazing ! J&K”
$103.50
Received this donation 17 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 35 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 6 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 27 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.
Anonymous
$103.50
Received this donation 5 days ago

Connie

“Thank you for your contribution. These kids and their families need better options. These donations will help Researchers continue their discovery of new treatments”

Thank you for your contribution. These kids and their families need better options. These donations will help Researchers continue their discovery of new treatments
Southern Maryland Dredging, Inc.
$103.50
Received this donation 6 days ago

Connie

“So appreciate your contribution for this important work. Kids should be living life, not fighting for it!❤️🙏”

So appreciate your contribution for this important work. Kids should be living life, not fighting for it!❤️🙏