Willow Watson was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Sarcoma when she was 14 years old. While undergoing 19 rounds of chemotherapy and 31 days of radiation, Bike Bald was there to help keep her spirits up.
Now, Watson is four years cancer free and she’s on the board for Bike Bald, helping others through similar situations to hers.
“We have therapy to get the anxiety of our kids’ illnesses off of their back – that burden, that anxiety,” said Watson. “But we also have education because we have kids who are losing school hours, school time. They’re getting behind on their homework.”
Besides that, Bike Bald also grants wishes, provides gift boxes, and helps support families of children with cancer.
Watson and Bike Bald are now looking for a new home for their non-profit.
They’re currently based out of a converted garage on Route 59. But with their lease terminating at the end of July, the board is hoping to find a more professional space.
“I would really like to see us turn the corner and not just have a place to store stuff but also have an office,” said board member Ron Hume. “Have a place that when a donor comes in, when a student comes in that needs tutoring, when somebody just comes in looking for information, that they’re coming to a place that looks more like a non-profit business.”
Their current set up is as much a storage unit as it is an office. Bins of toys and costumes stack up to the ceiling and therapy artwork covers the walls.
But if Bike Bald wants to find the right space for its mission, it will need help from the community.
“I just don’t think that folks realize how much this community and this organization we support and we give back and we need help,” said Executive Director Debbie Mossburg. “We’re not too proud to say we need help.”
More information on Bike Bald is available on their website, www.Bikebald.com.
Naperville News 17’s Casey Krajewski reports.
