John Balena

I am riding 400 mi for my friend, Hayden Nelson. Please sponsor me and support my challenge to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

Donate Now

I've Ridden 225.0 mi My goal is 500 mi

My Rankings

National: 148th
State: 11th in TX

I've raised $5,168 to fight kids' cancer Donate Now

I'm Riding For

Hayden Nelson

Team, It is one thing to fight Kid's Cancer in general, but since March 3rd, 2023 Hayden Nelson was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and has been fighting the cancer through prayers and support from family and friends like me. We have been given the privilege again this year of riding to fight Kid's Cancer in Hayden's name. Hayden should be living life, not fighting for it and our thoughts, prayers and ever mile we ride and every dollar we give are in his name and for his healing. May God continue to richly bless you and your family, Hayden, as we fight with you to kick cancer's butt. If you wish to be kept up to date on Hayden's progress and pray for him, please find the updates at the "Huddle Up for Hayden" group page found here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/153107400596134 John

My Story

23 Jun 2024

Once again, this September I will ride my bicycle in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer in Hayden Nelson's honor! This year my personal challenge is to again ride 400 miles or 100 miles per week.

Why am I riding this challenge on Hayden's behalf? 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."

So I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support Children's Cancer Research Fund to allow them to continue their work to develop lifesaving treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.

In March 2023 Hayden was diagnosed with Leukemia. In March 2024, after one year of life saving treatments made possible by the donations and prayers of many people like you, Hayden's tests revealed that no Leukemia cells were present.

Please consider supporting my 400 mile ride with your prayers and support at 10 cents per mile to give Hayden and kids like him the brighter futures they deserve.

Thank you!

My Legacy

Here's my personal impact over 4 years to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

100 mi Ridden

Raised

2021
125 mi Ridden

$3,303 Raised

2022
442 mi Ridden

$4,436 Raised

2023

892 mi

Ridden

$13,458

Raised

My Challenge

25.0 mi ride - Week 2 - Leg 3 - Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Logged this ride 104 days ago
25.0 mi ride - Week 2 - Leg 4 - Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Logged this ride 104 days ago
25.0 mi ride - Week 2 - Leg 2 - Sunday, September 8, 2024

Logged this ride 107 days ago
25.0 mi ride - Week 2 - Leg 1 - Saturday, September 7, 2024

Logged this ride 108 days ago
25.0 mi ride - Week 1 - Leg 5 - Friday, September 6, 2024

Logged this ride 109 days ago
25.0 mi ride - Week 1 - Leg 4 - Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Logged this ride 111 days ago
25.0 mi ride - Week 1 - Leg 3 - Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Logged this ride 112 days ago
25.0 mi ride - Week 1 - Leg 2 - Monday, September 2, 2024

Logged this ride 113 days ago
25.0 mi ride - Week 1 - Leg 1 - Sunday, September 1, 2024

Logged this ride 114 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 129 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 183 days ago
$2,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!

I just raised $2,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved LEGEND LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

Posted 183 days ago
$1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!

I just raised $1,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved WARRIOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

Posted 183 days ago
$500 raised to fight kids' cancer!

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

Posted 183 days ago
$250 raised to fight kids' cancer!

I just raised $250 to fight kids' cancer and achieved PROTECTOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

Posted 183 days ago
$100 raised to fight kids' cancer!

I just raised $100 to fight kids' cancer and achieved DEFENDER LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

Posted 188 days ago

My Sponsors

Bridget Lorenz Lemberg

“Peddle faster John!”
$3,622.50
Received this donation 183 days ago

John

“Bridget, thank you so much for your generous donation to fight Kid's Cancer in Hayden's honor. How can I not peddle faster now! Looking forward to celebrating the ride with you at the end of September at our 50th year High School class reunion!”

Bridget, thank you so much for your generous donation to fight Kid's Cancer in Hayden's honor. How can I not peddle faster now! Looking forward to celebrating the ride with you at the end of September at our 50th year High School class reunion!
The Sansone Group

“Good luck John!”
$517.50
Received this donation 183 days ago

John

“Lizz and Chris, I am so grateful for your generous donation to fight Kid's Cancer in Hayden's honor. You both have been such good friends to Janie and me over the years and your support is so encouraging. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Lizz and Chris, I am so grateful for your generous donation to fight Kid's Cancer in Hayden's honor. You both have been such good friends to Janie and me over the years and your support is so encouraging. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Donald Baird

“keep pedaling for a great cause”
$155.25
Received this donation 128 days ago

John

“Don, what an amazing surprise. Thank you for joining our 2024 team to fight Kid's Cancer in honor of Hayden Nelson. I appreciate you!”

Don, what an amazing surprise. Thank you for joining our 2024 team to fight Kid's Cancer in honor of Hayden Nelson. I appreciate you!
Steven Joiner

“John, Thank you for doing this to support Hayden and his family as they battle cancer, an unimaginable struggle. Its a special person that will commit to helping someone like this. You are an amazing friend. May the Lord bless you and keep you as you ride for Hayden. Steve”
$124.20
Received this donation 182 days ago

John

“Steve! Thank you so much for joining the 2024 team. You are an amazing friend and brother in Christ and I am thankful for your kind words and support. There have been so many people praying for Hayden and his family and that is making a huge difference. We are doing our part in prayer and giving and it is such an encouragement to the family and Hayden.”

Steve! Thank you so much for joining the 2024 team. You are an amazing friend and brother in Christ and I am thankful for your kind words and support. There have been so many people praying for Hayden and his family and that is making a huge difference. We are doing our part in prayer and giving and it is such an encouragement to the family and Hayden.
Katie LLagostera

“❤️❤️❤️”
$103.50
Received this donation 141 days ago

John

“Katie, I am so grateful for your love and support. Thank you for joining our 2024 Team! You are amazing and I love you very much!”

Katie, I am so grateful for your love and support. Thank you for joining our 2024 Team! You are amazing and I love you very much!
Claire Paschall
$72.45
Received this donation 150 days ago

John

“Claire, welcome to our 2024 Team to fight Kid's Cancer. I am so grateful for your prayers and support. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Claire, welcome to our 2024 Team to fight Kid's Cancer. I am so grateful for your prayers and support. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Dan OConnell
$72.45
Received this donation 181 days ago

John

“Brother, Dan, thank you so much for being part of the 2024 team and for your prayers and support. It is good to have a prayer warrior on the team because the prayer of the righteous are powerful and effective!”

Brother, Dan, thank you so much for being part of the 2024 team and for your prayers and support. It is good to have a prayer warrior on the team because the prayer of the righteous are powerful and effective!
Jonathan Williams

“Love your heart for this. Joining you and Hayden's family as prayer warriors on this journey. -Jonathan & Jess (for Gracie, Silas, & Elijah)”
$72.45
Received this donation 146 days ago

John

“Jonathan, my dear brother in Christ, thank you so much for joining our 2024 team and for your generous support to fight Kid's Cancer in honor of Hayden Nelson. I appreciate you.”

Jonathan, my dear brother in Christ, thank you so much for joining our 2024 team and for your generous support to fight Kid's Cancer in honor of Hayden Nelson. I appreciate you.
Anonymous
$67.28
Received this donation 129 days ago

John

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for being the donation that put us over the $5,000 goal!”

Thank you, thank you, thank you for being the donation that put us over the $5,000 goal!
Cheryl Shequen

“Your commitment and dedication is so inspiring. Hayden is so lucky to have you in his corner.”
$51.75
Received this donation 182 days ago

John

“Cheryl, so grateful for your donation and kind words. We are blessed to have Hayden to love and support and see God's faithfulness. Welcome to the team!”

Cheryl, so grateful for your donation and kind words. We are blessed to have Hayden to love and support and see God's faithfulness. Welcome to the team!
Kristy McDougal
$51.75
Received this donation 176 days ago

John

“Kristy, I am so grateful for you support to fight Kid's Cancer and for joining our 2024 team! Hope all is well with Adam, Clair, Kate and you.”

Kristy, I am so grateful for you support to fight Kid's Cancer and for joining our 2024 team! Hope all is well with Adam, Clair, Kate and you.
David Schandler

“Best wishes from David, Heidi, and Lila”
$50
Received this donation 182 days ago

John

“David, your longstanding friendship is such a blessing. Thank you for being a part of our 2024 team to fight Kid's Cancer!”

David, your longstanding friendship is such a blessing. Thank you for being a part of our 2024 team to fight Kid's Cancer!
Angie Collins

“Such a great cause!”
$36.23
Received this donation 179 days ago

John

“Angie, what a pleasant surprise. I am so grateful for your support and joining our 2024 team. You are the best!”

Angie, what a pleasant surprise. I am so grateful for your support and joining our 2024 team. You are the best!
Anonymous

“Go John!”
$36.23
Received this donation 141 days ago

John

“Anonymous, thank you for joining our 2024 Team and for your generous donation. Your support is invaluable and has got us very close to our goal. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Anonymous, thank you for joining our 2024 Team and for your generous donation. Your support is invaluable and has got us very close to our goal. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Anonymous
$10.35
Received this donation 127 days ago

John

“I am very grateful for your donation to fight Kid's Cancer. Your support of the Great Cycling Challenge is funding the Children's Cancer Research Fund to find new treatments for this terrible disease.”

I am very grateful for your donation to fight Kid's Cancer. Your support of the Great Cycling Challenge is funding the Children's Cancer Research Fund to find new treatments for this terrible disease.
John Balena

“Kicking things off with my own personal donation to fight kids' cancer!”
$124.20
Received this donation 188 days ago

John