With 300 mile bike ride
If therapy could be measured in miles and appreciation by effort, Mary Kay Goerge would be the essence of an endeavor to heal and a model illustration of gratitude.
Emily K. Goerge was born March 28, 1998. In June 1999 she was diagnosed with a form of optic nerve glioma, causing total blindness in her right eye and very limited vision in her left eye. Despite years of struggles tempered by hope, prayer, compassionate professional attention and loving care, Emily conveyed a cheerful spirit. Her expression of love for everyone and everything became an inspiration to all. But the disease was not to be denied. Emily died May, 2, 2011.
Imagine, enlisting for a 3-day, 300 mile bicycle ride without the previous experience of much more than a few turns around the confines of the village of Fowler. Up until she began a limited period of training in preparation for a trip with about 850 other bikers to raise funds for the Make a Wish Foundation, that was virtually the extent of her pedaling time. But, at the end of 300 miles, there was a profound sensation of satisfaction for the “greatest athletic accomplishment I’ve ever experienced.”
That comment was her summation of the journey along with the gratification of having given in return for the grant of Emily’s wish for a trip to Disney World in Orlando, following her physician’s suggestion
The Goerge family is pictured during the fall of 2010, one of the last group photos before Emily’s death. From left, Trent, Alex, Mary Kay, Brian and Emily, along with family pet, Sid.
The ride, under the sponsorship of Make a Wish Foundation is officially identified as ‘WAM’, an acronym for ‘Wish A Mile’ and is held each year. The 2011 run was the 24th year and significant plans are already underway for the 25th anniversary.
Encouragement to join the ride came from the creation of a “Team Emily,” spearheaded by Mary Kay’s niece, Alisha Jandernoa, who had ridden “WAM” in 2010. She recruited another of Mary Kay’s nieces, Amanda Jandernoa and friends Maria Pohl and Danielle Pline. The team was in formation.
“I had considered riding a couple of times before,” Mary Kay explained, “but the formation of the team and the support of family convinced me.” Before signing the dotted line, she talked with friend Tonya Platte about going along and without hesitancy she agreed. So there were six ladies signed on to take a 300 mile bicycle ride and only one had long distance experience! Not to worry! End of the story will show that all made every mile and each completed the commitment to “Team Emily.”
Completing a third of the distance between Traverse City and Chelsea, ‘Team Emily’ celebrated the memory of Emily Goerge by huddling together. From left, Maria Pohl, Danielle Pline, Amanda Jandernoa, Alisha Jandernoa, Mary Kay Goerge and Tonya Platte.
Emily had enjoyed a wonderful time at Disney World under the auspices of Make a Wish Foundation. “‘Em’ had such an amazing time and was thrilled with the preparations, the travel and the excitement of visiting the Disney attraction.” In addition, Mary Kay and husband Brian resolved that whatever the cost of the Disney visit, Make a Wish Foundation would be repaid. Participation in the bicycle ride would assist in achieving that purpose. Team Emily enhanced that potential.
Training was another thing, though. After setting foot to the pedal in June, shortly after Emily’s funeral, Mary Kay learned through the “WAM” website that a suggested training schedule began in March. “I should have begun then!” she commented, realizing that her time was going to be no where near most of the other riders. Her training rides averaged around 20 miles per jaunt, however as the days for the real thing drew near, she and her niece, Amanda and friend Tonya, did an eighty-miler from Fowler to Lowell and return. “I was task driven,” she said, “I only knew I must get on that bike!”
The Make a Wish ride, which ran from Traverse City to Chelsea, began Friday July 28, ended Sunday July 31 and presented an image of Michigan from the seat of a bicycle that is smoothed over and leveled off while in the comfort of an auto. “That first day was really hilly. I don’t believe we went more than two miles between hills. It was truly challenging!” While there were hills the final days of the ride, none were as persistent as those between Traverse City and Big Rapids. The later provided the first over nighter, wrapping up a total of 98 miles.
The second day – from Big Rapids to DeWitt – was spent in the heart of mid-Michigan, offering less challenging hills. Also, for Mary Kay and associates, it presented a chance greeting by a group of supporters who were aware of a rest stop located at the intersection of Wright and Price roads. A brief period of “high fives,” segmented resumes of the tour so far, then it was off to DeWitt High School for the night. A 114 mile day.
As with the previous two days, Sunday dawned with warm and humid temperatures that increased throughout the ride. However, temperature was forgotten two miles outside Chelsea when all riders observed a “Silent Mile.” “This period was overwhelming,” stated Mary Kay. “The intent of the ‘Silent
Mile” is to memorialize all of the former “Wish” children who are no longer with us, but in particular those who died during the past twelve months. There was total silence for those two miles,” she said. “I did not hear a word spoken. Very impressive.”
But the memorial period was replaced by a euphoric arrival at the fair grounds in Chelsea where a wall of people on either side of the route greeted and cheered the riders at the end. To say that the welcome – along with the completion of the trip – was not emotional would be the understatement of the event. “It is difficult to express the excitement felt upon entering that channel of people, knowing the ride has been accomplished and appreciating the overwhelming reception,” Mary Kay said. “It certainly encourages thoughts of riding again!”
Along with the sense of accomplishment, there was even greater satisfaction in knowing that the commitment of “Team Emily brought about over $7,000.00 in cash and pledges. “We believe the average wish is granted at an expense to the Foundation of approximately $5,000.00. I believe we have paid our wish back and paid forward toward another child’s wish through funding and donations over the years.”
A fitting tribute to Emily’s memory that will be shared in spirit and support for many other children whose fate in life merit a grant from Make a Wish Foundation.
Mary Kay and Brian reside in Fowler and are the parents of two sons, Alex, 18 and Trent, 16. Dad and the boys leant much support to Mom as she trained and they met her along the way on the run from Traverse City to Chelsea. All agree, the venture was but a first.