Five firefighters from the Caldwell Fire Department in Nampa, Idaho, are cycling 900 miles with a goal to raise $30,000 to help pediatric heart disease. On Friday, those firefighters stopped in Winnemucca on their journey from Boise to San Francisco.
The Cycling for Hearts event was founded by the Jayden DeLuca Foundation (JDF), which was started because Jayden DeLuca, a little girl born with a pediatric heart condition when she was two and a half years old, was set to travel to San Francisco to receive a heart transplant, but she was never able to make that journey. Now five firefighters have picked up where Jayden left off. They are riding their bicycles from Boise, Idaho, to San Francisco, CA, to honor Jayden's memory and help other children and their families fight cardiac diseases.
"We set up the nonprofit and began raising money and creating awareness for children's heart conditions because we knew that if we helped even one kid, or just one family, that our loss would not be in vain," said Karalie DeLuca, founder of JDF. "My husband and I firmly believe that all things happen for a reason an even if we don't understand it, we trust it. I believe now that Jayden's life, and her death, was for this reason, so that we could make a change and we could help others. So through us, and in extension, through all of you, Jayden lives on."
Firefighter and cyclist Marc Maiello said the strength of Jayden DeLuca and her family inspired the group of firefighters to do something to help.
"We decided to finish Jayden's journey for her," he said.
Maiello said he first had the idea to give back to his community when he was suffering from a back injury and was told he would be pulled out of the line of duty. It was a hard time, he said, but working with children with severe medical problems showed him that his suffering paled in comparison. Maiello said he jumped on his bike and started riding and a month later he was back on the line of duty.
Shortly after, he met the DeLuca family and was inspired to act.
The group stopped at the Winnemucca Port of Subs Friday morning at 9 a.m. Port of Subs is a sponsor of the event.
Mayor Di An Putnam attended the event and proclaimed June 6 Jayden Riley DeLuca Day.
"The city of Winnemucca truly is grateful to have you stop here," Putnam said. "It truly is an honor."
Putnam went on to say that Jayden's memory continues to inspire everyone who hears her story.
At selected Nevada Port of Subs locations a fundraiser will be conducted from 2p.m. to close with 20% of the total sales donated to the JDF organization and the Boise location donating a check in the amount of $1500.
"We are thrilled and honored to be helping this amazing foundation," said Mike Powell, President of Port of Subs, Inc. "Port of Subs is a community centered business so this event is right up our alley."
Every town the riders stop in Nevada will also have a local fire department at each restaurant in the morning for a fire engine escort and Mayoral Proclamation. A list of the Nevada Port of Subs Restaurants is below.
For more information, contact Gabriella McGill at (208) 409-6482.
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