In one week I will bike from Central Jersey through Upstate NY to support kids suffering from pediatric illness. This is no ordinary cycling event; it’s an exhilarating ride ending at Camp Simcha, a remarkable overnight camp that provides seriously ill children with a vacation from sickness, restoring their spirits and renewing their determination to fight.

The ride won't be easy; neither is life for a child with cancer or other serious illness. Camp Simcha and its sister camp, Camp Simcha Special, are Chai Lifeline’s flagship programs. Every year these two camps offer 430 children a chance to forget about illness and just be kids again. To learn more about Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha special, visit campsimcha.org.

I am biking in memory of חיה בת צבי יוסף, Chayala Teitelbaum. I remember meeting her years ago when I moved in across the street from her. She always had a bright smile on her face that lit up the room and warmed hearts where ever she went. As her sister wrote, Chayalla had "No words, but she didn’t need them. Chayala’s smile is (was?) her most famous, most defining characteristic.
She was gracious in the face of incredible pain; hooked up to tubes/monitors/feed/meds, she’d summon the strength to greet us all with her contagious, joyful smile. Chayala was both a lover and a fighter; she shined the brightest light and beat unbeatable odds over and over again. Chayala is no longer inhibited by the trappings of her body - a body that served as the fragile, temporary home to a rare neshama."

The world lost a beautiful neshama this year. It is my honor to ride in Chayala's memory. We will never forget you Chayala, and we will keep the "brightest part of you with us always."

I will be biking to camp on Tuesday, July 16th, 2019. My objective is to raise $3,600 by then, and I hope you will help me reach this goal. Every dollar counts! All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Please contribute by clicking on the donate button now.

Thank you for supporting me and, in doing so, helping children and their families cope with the diagnosis, treatment, and aftermath of serious pediatric illness.

Best regards,

Esther Ehrman
PS. For more info about the bike ride please visit tourdesimcha.com