You never know when you’re going to need some help. Whether it’s something simple like changing the tire on you bike, or something complicated like navigating a health issue with your child, it’s great to have someone you can depend on.

That is why I ride the courage classic every year to help fundraise for Children’s Hospital Colorado. As most of you know, we lost our daughter, Martha, after a nearly seven-year battle with cancer. Children’s was there for Martha and the Riedel family from the very beginning to the very end. Martha never let statistics affect her ability to stay hopeful that there was a path to a cure, and the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s in Aurora was there throughout the battle providing options and supporting Martha’s desire to live.

For that, the Riedel family is eternally grateful. Despite being in treatment much of those years, and going in and out of remission multiple times, Martha had a good life. Because after her initial diagnosis she essentially grew up overnight, she then spent the years between age 13 and 20 getting sh*t-done. Martha enjoyed being outside as much as possible and at an early age fell in love with snowboarding and cycling. She raced mountain bikes for the Boulder Highschool mountain bike team for all four years she was there. Martha was an artist, she took 4 years of ceramics classes—becoming an exceptional potter— at Boulder High as well. She honed her artistic skills in numerous other mediums like watercolor, stamp carving and drawing to name a few. During the pandemic she became an extraordinary foodie who cooked her mom and dad healthy meals after all her siblings had gone away to college. You name it, if Martha could find a video on YouTube about some cool craft or project, she would do it.

Without the help of Children’s Hospital Colorado, she couldn’t have done all that. And… without that help, our family wouldn’t have witnessed Martha’s growth from a 13-year-old girl into a 20-year-old, say it like it is woman. Again, we are very grateful.

So, please help me thank Children’s Hospital Colorado for everything they do to help kids stay healthy, recover from an illness, or in Martha’s case fight for their lives. 

Ned Riedel, Martha’s dad.