Yes!!! Believe it or not, I am participating in the ALYN 22nd Annual Wheels of Love Charity Bike Ride!!! I feel most fortunate that I can physically participate in this year’s ride. This will be the 21st consecutive year that I am participating in this very important event!
But this ride is not about me. It is about helping the kids treated at ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel’s premier rehabilitation facility for children with disabilities. Every year, over 3,000 children come to ALYN to receive best-in-class care. This year the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significantly increased expenses for the hospital. ALYN Hospital needs your support now more than ever. Your generosity will go a long way to help the children of ALYN who are working hard toward their rehabilitation.
You can donate to the hospital and sponsor my ride right here at this page!
It is truly amazing how ALYN hospital is succeeding despite all odds, and despite the Pandemic, in helping kids that are in very difficult situations. They deserve a chance to enjoy life like all of us. To learn more about ALYN watch videos on Alyn’s Youtube page.
On a personal note, I want to wish you a Shana Tova – may you have a good and healthy year.
This year while we have all experienced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been working on my recovery from the Bone Marrow Transplant in February 2020. I have been very fortunate, and my recovery has been very good. I feel great and am excited to be participating in the ALYN ride as a full rider on the Road Plus route – 3 days of riding totaling 267 km with 1251 meters of climbing!
Just over a year ago, you and ALYN gave me the incentive to get back on the bike after not riding for a year. I could barely ride 10 minutes at an easy pace. My ALYN Challenge last year was to ride for 60 minutes by the end of November. And with your encouragement I did it!
A year ago, I still had a central venous catheter (Hickman) implanted in my chest and was still receiving transfusions of blood and platelets. Now, the catheter is out, I no longer receive transfusions, I am feeling great and doing significant biking (50-60 km rides with as much as 1,000 meters climbing!). I am still taking medications and am immunocompromised, but I am grateful that I have reached this stage. I am also extremely grateful for all the support I have received from all of you. Without family, friends, and community I could not have done this. While I don’t wish this on anyone, I have learned a lot from my experiences.
My health issues and challenges have heightened my awareness and empathy with the children of ALYN. Please help me in supporting the ALYN Hospital contributing generously.
Thank you in advance and best wishes for a great year ahead.
With immense gratitude,
Yehudah Livneh