Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Help the Bender Family




Local cycling family hits some serious trouble, so cycling community pulling together to assist.  The Bender family - Mark and Sarah and their four boys - well known here in the Seattle area.  I'm not personal friends with the folks, but have chatted with them over the years at various races.  My son Ian has raced with their two older boys many times.  Sarah also coaches one of the student league mountain bike teams.  Very nice people indeed, a cool cycling family.

Apparently, while vacationing in Hawaii to celebrate their 15th anniversary, Mark suffered a serious spinal cord injury while body surfing.  They hope to have him stabilized enough to fly home in two weeks or so.  Serious stuff.  People now assisting with financial issues via fund raisers...

Doma Coffee Company donating profits on sales through April 30th.  Order online here.

Donations via their church here.

Facebook info here.

Life can change instantly, a reminder to never take anything for granted.  Super nice folks, buy some coffee - do some good - or donate direct. On my agenda for sure.

To put some faces to the names, dug through some of my pics.  That's Sarah above from a 'cross race this season.





Ian sandwiched between the Bender boys, Titus and Gidean.  Mountain bike race a few years ago.





Gidean putting the hammer down a few 'cross seasons ago.



I'm sure the Benders will pull through this.  There's a few thousand cycling family members pitching in to help.  Heal quick.


3 comments:

  1. Geepers tough times. Hope all improves. Sounds like a wonderful family with wonderful local support.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Best of luck to Benders. We also had a local rider who got hurt with a spinal injury and the cycling community also dig deep and supported him.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, positive attitude - gut wrenching stuff ...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NreVR-c90BA

    ReplyDelete