Naperville childhood cancer support group opens new space
The new home base for a Naperville childhood cancer support organization evokes heroism.
At the Bike Bald headquarters, there are police and fire badges high up on one wall, fire helmets, an oxygen tank and a Rosie the Riveter poster below it, saying "We Can Do It."
On the door are motivational phrases kids have used as mantras while battling cancer: "You are strong." "You're a superhero." "Stand back up."
At the heart of it all is the Bike Bald logo with the phrase "We ride for the kids."
Bike Bald opened its first physical location Tuesday afternoon in a professional building near 95th Street and Route 59 in south Naperville.
The nonprofit organization has been providing emotional support for childhood cancer patients since 2012, raising money mainly through community bike rides. But for its first three years, the all-volunteer group has operated out of founder and cancer survivor Debbie Mossburg's Naperville home.
"I do have a wooden floor in my living room - I found that out now that we have the facility," Mossburg said.
The space at 3380 Lacrosse Lane Suite 100B was donated by Naperville businessmen Mike Isaac and Adam Stachowiak, who own the building.
It used to be what Stachowiak called an "underused workshop." But when he and Isaac met Mossburg and heard about her work supporting young cancer patients, they were moved to help, partially by thinking how devastating it would be if either of their nearly 2-year-old sons were diagnosed with an illness.
"Life is all about giving back," Isaac said.
Bike Bald supports childhood cancer patients by giving them birthday gifts, sending them cards, helping them have dream experiences and being a more consistent resource than organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mossburg said. The new headquarters will serve as a drop-off point for community members who want to donate toys for patients. Mossburg said having a dedicated space will help Bike Bald serve more children.
This year, the nonprofit has supported 1,712 young cancer patients. On Tuesday alone, 17 more who have stage 3 or stage 4 cancers were referred by children's hospitals and other nonprofit groups, Mossburg said.
"It's nonstop," Mossburg said. "Cancer doesn't have boundaries."
A red punching bag near the 1,000-square-foot office's entrance serves as another symbol of the toughness and heroism of kids battling cancer.
"All the kids love to wear the boxing gloves and keep fighting," Mossburg said.
Located near the bike path through Frontier Park, the new headquarters will serve as a starting point for many future Bike Bald community rides. The next ride is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, along the DuPage River Trail, and it will benefit the St. Baldrick's Foundation, which supports childhood cancer research.