'Pedal Partners' Ride To Support Kids With Cancer
BUZZARD'S BAY (CBS) -- On a hot August day, sure the cheers and the cowbells are nice, but the real motivation for Pan-Mass Challenge riders are the kids.
One of them is Dillon Pray.
Being healthy enough to give Wally the Green Monster a hug is no small thing.
At just five years old, Dillon has already had quite a ride.
At two years old, Dillon was diagnosed with autism.
And then just a few moths later on New Year's Eve in 2012, he was diagnosed with leukemia.
But his parents, Chris and Keri Pray, part of the "Dillon's Defenders" team, are thankful he's able to witness the event dedicated to making him a survivor.
"It's so fortunate. I mean, every day that he's happy and with us. It's perspective," Chris says.
Karen and Jeff Packman know all too well what the Pray's are going through.
Their daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed with cancer at three years old. But she is now thriving as a 16-year-old.
"This is nothing compared to what they go through," Karen said. "Our job is easy. They have the hard job."
Riding as Team Hannah's Bandanas, they've found a new Pedal Partner in Dillon to provide motivation.
"It's incredibly gratifying and at the same time brings us back to that moment," Karen says, "And I feel like we got to do more because I don't want to see any more pedal partners."
"People will watch this story on Channel 4 tonight and be reminded of cancer in everyone's lives," Chris added. "This is a real thing for everybody for a lot of people every day."
In 12 years of riding, Hannah's Bandanas have raised more than $1.8 million for the PMC.
On Friday night, Dillon got his last treatment and learned that he is now cancer-free.
