Getting local sarcoma research spurred support for Courage Ride

KALONA - The Courage Ride was personal for Marty Bunge and his wife, Cyndi.

Heading into its 10th year on Aug. 22, the annual bike ride through Amish countryside around Kalona is a fundraiser for sarcoma cancer research. The Bunges participated in the first two Courage Rides, in 2005 and 2006.

'I know first hand the feeling of having no research to help you decide what to do,” said Marty Bunge, 57, of Williamsburg.

Cyndi Bunge was battling sarcoma at the time and died eight years ago. The disease is a rare form of cancer that forms in bones and connective tissue.

The body of research and resources were scant when Cyndi Bunge needed care.

She had to travel to Texas for medical care, Bunge said. Bunge said the opportunity to make a local impact is what drew the couple to the Courage Ride.

Sarcoma was so rare, and attention to the disease so minimal, ride organizers struggled at first finding where to donate.

'We had always wanted to keep it local because we feel the money is coming from the local community, we wanted to get it back into the local community and we can also keep better track of it,” said Jackie Bailey, who started the ride with support from the Bicyclists of Iowa City bike club in honor of her son, Seth.

Seth Bailey, of rural Riverside, died in 2003 at age 25 after battling sarcoma for eight years. Bailey played basketball his senior year of high school on a prosthetic leg, and was training to be a para-Olympic swimmer when cancer returned in his college years.

Bailey said the ride raised $35,000 the first year, and $25,000 of it was sent to Stanford University, but the goal was to keep it local.

The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has become the primary beneficiary. The ride has raised $300,000 raised over 10 years.

The ride honors his courage, and she is glad to see it have a lasting legacy.

When Cyndi Bunge was battling cancer, one UI doctor was researching sarcoma and there were no clinical trials, Bunge said. That has increased to at least three doctors and 11 clinical trials, he said.

Bunge continues to raise awareness about the ride as a member of the Courage Ride planning committee, as well as photographer.

This year there are six paved route options from 16 to 110 miles, and five gravel options from 20 to 105 miles, with refreshments and live music at several rest stops en route.

The ride draws about 500 people, and the hope is to attract new participants with the new gravel options, Bunge said.

The ride begins at Iowa Mennonite School in Kalona on Aug. 22, around 7 to 8 a.m. for longer routes and after 8 a.m. for shorter route options. The cost is $75 for adults and $15 for youth.

More information about the ride and registration is available at CourageRide.org.