Most 10 year olds use their bicycle for trips to friends’ houses or maybe the Wawa around the corner. Cameron Humphreys is using his to honor a family member and fight cancer.
For the second consecutive year, Cameron participated in the American Cancer Society’s Bike-a-Thon. The Bike-a-Thon, in its 41st year, is an annual event that begins on the Ben Franklin Bridge and ends at the Buena Vista Camping Park in Atlantic County. There are various starting points throughout the route in Cherry Hill, Shamong and Hammonton to allow for riders of all different skill levels to participate. This year’s event had more than 3,000 participants and raised more than $1.2 million for cancer research.
In spring 2012, Cameron’s grandfather, Bill Williams, passed away after an eight-month battle with lung cancer. Cameron’s father Dave said Cameron’s relationship with his grandfather was a close one.
“Cameron was really close with him. We’d take trips out on his boat, the first time he fished it was with him. It definitely hit him hard,” Dave said. “What’s been amazing to watch is how Cameron took that negative experience and is making it into a positive one by helping people.”
In hopes of preventing other families from losing a loved one to cancer, he began to look into ways to raise money for the ACS. A combination of his love for cycling and goal to fight cancer led to the Bike-a-Thon being a perfect match.
Last year, Cameron rode the last leg of the trip which totals 21 miles, and raised $1,040 in the process. A 21-mile bike ride is a daunting task for anyone, let alone a then 9-year-old boy, but when David asked if he was sure he wanted to do it, Cameron’s response was simple.
“If Pop-Pop Bill can fight cancer, I can ride my bike 21 miles,” Cameron said.
After last year’s success, Cameron told Dave that he wanted to complete the entire 65-mile ride and raise even more money. Dave couldn’t help but be motivated by his son’s drive.
“To see him getting up at 6 a.m. every day to go ride for two hours is just an incredible inspiration. He’s what got me back onto my bike and riding again,” Dave said.
To help prepare for the ride, the Humphreys began riding with a nearby bicycle club, Team Evesham. The captain of the team, Sandy Student, said seeing a rider as young as Cameron is awesome to watch.
“His legs are a bit shorter than everyone else’s but he’ll keep up with the team. He’s just a great kid, extremely articulate and bright and a really accomplished rider,” Student said.
Dave credited Team Evesham for helping develop Cameron’s love of cycling.
“They are top notch, just a group of quality, selfless people. It motivates him to join the group for their weekly rides on Sundays,” Dave said.
True to his word, Cameron participated and completed the entire 65-mile Bike-a-Thon ride on July 14, averaging just less than 15 mph for the length of the course.
“At about the 55-mile mark, he tired a bit. The heat was getting to him but he pushed through it and finished strong,” Dave said.
Most importantly for Cameron, though, was the fact he raised more than $2,700 for the ACS.
“He’s really taken to the idea of helping others. He’s seen firsthand how volunteer work can help a greater community,” Dave said.
Donations can be made for Cameron’s cause until Aug. 31. Visit http://main.acsevents.org/goto/poppopbill for more information.
