“W

e’ve had enough hurt 
in our lives already, so 
the next time you see a 
kid with cancer or even someone who 
looks a little different, try a smile — we 
could use it.” 
Those were the words of Alexandra 
Graham — spoken in a public service 
announcement as part of her wish 
granted by Make-A-Wish Michigan — 
shortly before she died of bone cancer 
in 1999 at the age of 17 following a 
courageous battle. 
At Alex’s funeral, her family request-
ed that instead of flowers or tributes, 
people do a good deed in her memory. 
This year marked a quarter century of 
doing good deeds in Alex’s memory.
Team Alex, the team of differ-
ence-making cyclists formed to advance 
her wish and support wish-granting, 
celebrated its 25th anniversary from 
July 28-30 in the 2023 Wish-A-Mile 
(WAM) Bicycle Tour, Make-A-Wish 
Michigan’s top annual fundraiser.
Team Alex raised more than $360,000 
this year, helping to grant more trans-
formational wishes to Michigan chil-
dren with critical illnesses. 

This year’s 300-mile, three-day 
trek started in Marshall at the Eaton 
Proving Grounds, with stops in 
Holland, Kalamazoo and then back to 

Marshall. The 25th anniversary cele-
brations for Team Alex included a pizza 
party and cake. It was also the 25th 
anniversary for Team Alex’s captain, 

TOP: Team Alex members stopped for a drink a few miles out from the day three finish line before finishing the trek together. A rider wearing 
the Team Alex 25th anniversary T-shirt, given out to all Team Alex members.

The team has raised millions of 
dollars over the years, leading 
to hundreds of wishes granted 
for Make-A-Wish children. 
Team Alex Celebrates 
25th Anniversary

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

18 | AUGUST 31 • 2023 

OUR COMMUNITY

LEFT: Team Alex members riding between Marshall and Holland on day one of the ride. 
RIGHT: Team Alex riders relaxing at the finish line in Kalamazoo at the end of the second 100-
mile day.

