Kids raise approximately $52,000 for pediatric cancer research as part of Trike & Bike

BRUNSWICK — More than 100 Brunswick area kids came together to help raise about $51,000 for pediatric cancer research as part of Trike & Bike. Trike & Bike consists of kids between the ages of 3 and 12 raising money for Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital and then going on a group bike ride together. Brunswick held its annual event on Friday at the Brunswick High School stadium. Brunswick City Manager Carl DeForest said a few years ago Patricia Kaszar asked to bring Trike & Bike to Brunswick because of her grandson Collin Nemet, who was diagnosed with cancer at nine. Collin had the No. 1 Trike & Bike fundraiser in 2020, and he died two months before his 12th birthday in 2021. "I went to his funeral at St. Ambrose," DeForest said. "I made a promise to myself that I would do what I could to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research." Brunswick's ride has raised about $188,000 over the years. He said two pediatric cancer research projects were funded solely by local kids. The top five individual fundraisers this year were: Gabriel Napoli raised $2,790. Griffin Mayan raised $2,105. Stella Wambsgans raised $1,530. Harper McClain raised $970. Grady Ray raised $700. "I'm so happy for the funds that you raise for kids like you who cannot ride bikes right now," Kaszar said. "There is a future for them and you guys." Dr. Rabi Hanna is the chair of pediatric hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplantation at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. He said cancer is still the leading cause of death from disease for children. "With the money you are raising today, you are going to help me and help the team at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital find a better way," Hanna said. "We cannot let cancer kill our kids. We can't let it steal their life, so we have to find better treatment." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.