In honour of Thomas, on June 1, 2012, our friend Jordan Girman will get on his bicycle and begin an epic journey across Canada to raise funds for Peloton 65. Please visit his blog, to track his progress and read what it’s like to see this huge country of ours on two wheels. And please, do whatever you can to offer Jordan your support. Chapeau Jordan!
Andy LaRose will be taking part in the Chestermere Hockey Marathon with 39 other guys over 10.5 days… and he’ll be doing it in honour of Thomas.
A great read, and a great cause. Good Luck, Andy!
-Team Peloton 65
On Sunday, October 30th, friends and family joined in the First Annual Walk for Thomas. While the official event was held in Calgary, we were overwhelmed by the number of people who joined in from their own communities.
We’re so thankful not only to the Calgary walkers, but also to those who joined from Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London, and several other locations across the world.
Together we stood tall and walked strong to remember and honour Thomas.
Walk For Thomas October 30 2011 from Alexander Viviani on Vimeo.
The Walk was a huge success, and we wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you to the 500+ participants who joined in this walk.
The emphasis of this year’s Walk was really two-fold; remembering Thomas, and raising awareness about Neuroblastoma.
And yet, through your generosity, we managed to also raise close to $10,000 in donations for The James Fund- this was completely unexpected and we thank you again for your continued generosity and support for our efforts.
This year’s Walk, as well as future Peloton 65 events, would not have been possible without the amazing donations from our sponsors this year:
Calgary Italian Bakery
Critical Mass
Earth Distributors
Majestic Tents & Events
Queen Elizabeth Elementary School
Spolumbos
Sysco Foods
Unique Blends
Todd Audio Visual
In addition to our sponsors, there were countless volunteers who eagerly jumped on board as soon as word got out about this year’s walk. We had two weeks to make this a reality, and without the numerous friends, co-workers, family-members, teachers, neighbours, and other community-contacts, it simply wouldn’t have been the success that it was. For offering up your talents and your time, we thank you and look forward to working with you again at next year’s event.
As for future events, we hope to keep in touch with you through a few channels.
In addition to peloton65.com, look for us on Facebook at our Peloton 65 page, and start following us on twitter at @peloton65.
Photos and Videos from the Walk have been posted on Facebook, and so that you too can possibly have your own impromptu kid-rave, we’ve also posted the playlist from the day on Peloton65.com 😉
We’ll keep followers updated on upcoming Peloton 65 efforts through all three channels.
Bookmark our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on twitter!
Peloton 65 thanks you immensely for your support.
-Team Peloton 65
We’re absolutely amazed at the turn-out for our first annual ‘Walk for Thomas’ today. More footage to be posted, but here’s a sneak peak:
We’re inviting everyone to participate in the First Annual Walk for Thomas to coincide with the International Walk/Run for the James Fund, which was inspired by a kindergarten teacher to mark James’ birthday. This event is now in its 6th year, has raised over $200,000 for neuroblastoma research and has funded cutting edge research projects.
This year it’s just about standing together and walking strong in our fight against neuroblastoma. We hope you can show your support by walking for Thomas.
If you will be joining us, please let us know.
If you are not in Calgary but would like to do your own walk, we’d welcome the support you show by walking in your own communities.
Sunday, October 30th, 2011
Queen Elizabeth Elementary School south parking lot located at 402 18 Street NW, Calgary
9-10am: Refreshments and Walk Warm-Ups
10am: Walkers leave the school
Upon returning we’ll have a BBQ back in the school parking lot.
It is with deep and profound sadness we announce the passing of Thomas Mueller on Friday, September 30, 2011, at the age of 7, due to neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. After a brave and heroic four-year battle against the disease, Thomas died at home in his sleep, with his parents by his side. Thomas was born on June 26, 2004 in Calgary. In his pre-school year, at the age of three, Thomas was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, but true to his character, Thomas did not let the disease define him. He lived for the moment, and quite truly loved being a little boy, whatever his age. He was a kids’ kid, with a typically goofy sense of humour. He played hard and found a way to keep fighting even during the worst of his many cancer treatments. In his stoicism and courage, he was a true “little soldier” as his great- grandfather Howard, an American WWII veteran once said. He loved sports. All of them. But especially soccer and hockey, and his favourite players, Jarome Iginla and Thomas’ friend, Trevor Linden. He was also a natural born swimmer and made the most of his trips to Hawaii, spending more time in the water than out. He also loved movies and was fascinated with and inspired by the worlds of Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean. Over the years he also became quite a prolific and advanced builder of Lego. While always a kid though, he was also mature beyond his years. He was always sensitive to the needs of others. It always felt like he took nothing for granted, and he loved his sister, mom and dad deeply, and yearned for the company of his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. And of course, his many friends. Thomas will always be remembered by his sister Anna, and parents Dianne Wilkins and Philip Mueller; his grandparents Dave and Aileen Wilkins and Peter and Pat Mueller; his aunt Sara, uncle Brett and cousins Nora and Eli Anhorn; his aunt Lisa, uncle Corey and cousins Kenna and Turner Sadlemyer; and his great-uncle Alan Meech. Thomas is predeceased by his loving and greatly missed uncle Rich Wilkins. In lieu of a Memorial Service, those wishing to pay their respects may do so by visiting our Web site www.peloton65.com to make a donation to neuroblastoma research. This disease must be stopped.
Thomas Mueller
June 26, 2004 – September 30, 2011
Every year in Canada, roughly 65 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Our son Thomas was diagnosed in 2007, and fought the disease with immense courage and bravery. Thomas died early on September 30th, in his parent’s arms.
Peloton 65 is a growing group of cyclists, family and friends united in the fight against neuroblastoma. We’ve already raised nearly $80,000 for the Alberta Ride to Conquer Cancer (2009-2011), and from this point forward, 100% of our fundraising efforts will benefit The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research. This disease needs to be stopped. Please help with your donation.
