Ri d in

Local bicyclists honor the memory of
Alex Graham, making other kids' dreams come true.

his wife on a recumbent
tandem, a low-seated
bicycle built-for-two.
When the couple
Every Thursday, participants received
SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
learned a young girl who
a
group
e-mail
from
a
team
member
let-
Staff Writer
lived on the bike route
ting them know where that Sunday's
had received her wish of
ride would be.
n her final days, 17-year-old Alex
a computer the day
On July 26, the group met at Camp
Graham was granted a special
before, they wrote her a
Dearborn
in
Milford
and
bused
with
wish — to produce a public ser-
song,
went to her house,
other
teams
to
Cheboygan
to
begin
the
vice announcement asking those
sang it and let her sit on
14th annual Wish-A-Mile ride back to
who see a kid with cancer to smile.
the tandem with them.
Milford. Team members include both
Knowing the impact granting her
Brandvain describes
nonriding volunteers and bikers.
wish had on Alex, some of her friends
Team Alex as "27 people
and family are honoring her
— almost every single
memory by helping the orga-
one of whom is a mitz-
nization that made her wish
vah
maniac — commit-
come true.
ted
to
helping others."
Through the Make-A-Wish
A young man gets some help playing the strum stick
"At Alex's funeral, we
from Dr. Mark Sinkoff
Foundation of Michigan,
encouraged people to do
Graham created the 1999 TV
Susie and Billy," Brandvain says,
a good deed to make the world a better
spot. It was one of more than
referring to Alex's parents of West
place," Susie Graham says. "Beth and 26
300 wishes granted by the
Bloomfield,
also
team
members.
others accepted that challenge. Through
foundation to children with
"We
had
no
idea
how
powerful
this
events such as this, we preserve Alex's
life-threatening illnesses in the
could
be
in
terms
of
gathering
memory and the valuable lesson she
year 2000.
funds to donate for kids."
taught us when she decided to make her
Last month, Team Alex,
She says what began as a tribute
public service announcement. In addi-
formed in memory of the
to Alex became a relationship with
tion, hundreds of children with life-
young woman who died of
other children who have received
threatening illnesses can see a dream
bone cancer in 1999, partici-
wishes as well.
come true and, even more important,
pated in its third Make-A-
"Everyone
who
rides
with
us
has
each individual can elevate their own
Wish, Wish-A-Mile Bike Tour. Beth Brandvain takes a break from riding to visit with a
been
completely
overwhelmed
by
lives."
The money they collected
young girl
the kids," Brandvain says.
"To us, participating in the event is
funds the "wishes" granted
The month before the ride, par-
tikkun olam, [repairing the world]," says
other young people.
ticipants attended a party with kids
Alex's dad Bill. "It means accepting the
The hope is for combined team col-
"This past Shabbat's Torah portion
whose wishes have been granted and
past and then doing something positive
lections to exceed last year's record
includes the phrase, 'Before you, I have
were given a bracelet with the name of
with our lives to honor her memory. It
amount of $267,000, says Carrie
placed a blessing and a curse,"' says
one
child
to
wear
while
riding.
Many
of
means turning lemons into lemonade
Dlugas, development manager for the
Susie Graham, Alex's mother. "I suppose
the
children
attended
a
picnic
at
the
end
and
not letting life's lemons turn us bit-
foundation regional office in Livonia.
in some way that's what the bicycle ride
of
the
ride,
presenting
medals
to
those
ter."
❑
Not
all
the
money
has
been
collected
is all about.
who wore their names while riding.
yet.
"You have this terrible tragedy of a
Members of Brandvain's team each
Dlugas says last year Team Alex
child losing her life — the effects ripple
wore two bracelets. "We wore those we
"raised enough funds to help grant six
throughout the community. But instead
received before the ride and we also all
wishes, with last year's average wish cost-
of shaking your head and saying 'Why?'
wore
one with Alex's name on it," she
ing $5,000."
you say, 'What can I do to preserve the
For information on the Make-A-
says.
With only five members required to
memory of another human being and
Wish Foundation of Michigan, call
make a team, Beth Brandvain, team cap-
thereby give meaning and purpose to
(888) 857-9474 or access the Web
Kid Connection
tain, of Farmington Hills, attributes the
one's own life?' This is how I see the
site at:
First-time
team
members,
husband
and
commitment of her 27-member team to
inception of Team Alex."
wvvw.wishmich.org
wife, Drs. Ruth Lerman and Mark
bringing in $46,000 so far this year.
To make a tax-deductible dona-
Sinkoff of West Bloomfield made a spe-
Contributions are solicited by all team
tion,
send checks to: Make-A-Wish
cial connection with many of the kids
Getting Ready
members, whether they complete the
Foundation
of Michigan, 37727
because
of
an
unusual
bike
and
a
unique
Aside from soliciting donations, the 27-
entire 300-mile ride or hop in "sad wag-
Professional
Center Drive, Suite
musical
instrument.
member team spent much of the sum-
ons" to be driven to that evening's rest
135D,
Livonia,
MI 48154. Make
The
two
gained
attention
as
Sinkoff
mer training for the three-day, 300-mile
stop.
notation:
"For
Team
Alex." ❑
played
a
strum
stick,
a
small,
three-
ride.
"When we started out, we did it for
stringed instrument, while riding with

I

„

8/24
2001

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