Great Cycle Challenge USA on track to earn nearly $3 million for cancer

Arden Virnig pedaled an emotional 700 miles on a tandem bike last June — with the rear seat vacant to symbolize the loss of his daughter to cancer — and raised $9,200 for the Children's Cancer Research Fund.

This June the Onamia physician is cycling 900 miles on his own bike, raising $14,500 in memory of his daughter Mary, who died in 2010.

He's among more than 26,000 cyclists across the nation who spent this month raising money for Great Cycle Challenge USA, one of Minnesota's most instantly successful nonprofit fundraisers. In just its second year, it's on track to raise nearly $3 million — up from $1.7 million last year — thanks to dedicated cyclists such as Virnig and the power of focused social media.

"Since I started riding, about 141 children have died from cancer," said Virnig, referring to national statistics. "I want people to understand what this is about."

Last year, said Virnig, "I cried just about every week I rode." This year was no different.

The Great Cycle Challenge USA offers a new twist on the fundraisers that are popular in Minnesota. Instead of a group ride to a specific destination, participants bike whenever they want, wherever they want, and raise as much money as they want — in the month of June.

They take pledges and donations from family and friends but aren't crossing any finish lines. Instead of the camaraderie of fellow riders, they have Facebook and Snapchat followers.

The cycling fundraiser was launched a year after Glamorama, a signature fashion show fundraiser for the Children's Cancer Research Fund, closed its runways in 2014, said Leighton. That event's sponsor, Macy's, now is the lead sponsor for the cycling event.

"The timing was perfect," said Leighton.

The Children's Cancer Research Fund had been in contact with the Great Cycle Challenge in Australia, which was looking for a U.S. partner, said Leighton. Using Facebook tools, the cancer fund targeted its outreach to bikers with ties to cancer or cancer research.

Leighton expected to raise about $800,000 that first year, not $1.7 million.

Virnig was the second-highest fundraiser last year, and is likely to be in the top three this year. He's a man on a mission. Before his daughter died, they had talked about him biking to raise money to fight cancer. Mary was going to come along on a group ride. She never was able to do that, and he wasn't able to muster the emotional energy to do it on his own.

With one more day left for the Cycle Challenge, its website shows near-final statistics: $2.8 million raised, 1.7 million miles cycled, 26,000 riders, including 750 from Minnesota.

"I'm under a little pressure to get in my miles," laughed Leighton earlier this week. "Forty miles left by Thursday."