InSync Cycle Studio Raising Funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

InSync Cycle Studio is raising money for Team Sophia McCaul to participate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night walk. 

Starting 1 p.m. July 21, the studio will host a ride to benefit the cause, said owner Spook Hilgartner. Up to 60 participants can ride for up to three hours with each hour-long block costing $30. 

Hilgartner said refreshments, raffles, giveaways and an after party will also be part of the event. 

For more information, call 443-722-5433.

The Light for Night walk is on Oct. 19 in Annapolis. 

Below is Sophia's story as told by her parents Jane and John McCaul: 

"On Monday, April 23, 2012 we took Sophia to our doctor because she looked very pale and had been feeling tired. Her doctor performed some tests and suggested we go for blood work that afternoon. The next day, Sophia stayed home from school again and we had just finished planting flowers in our garden when our doctor called with the results of the lab work. She said it did not look good, that Sophia was severely anemic and we needed to discover why. Our doctor told us she had called Johns Hopkins and they were waiting for us in the ER. Sophia was given a blood transfusion and more blood was taken. On Wednesday morning, April 25, we were told that Sophia had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She endured another day of agonizing blood draws and more testing. The following morning Sophia received a bone marrow biopsy, lumbar puncture and began her chemotherapy treatment. We spent 11 days in the hospital before Sophia was allowed to continue her treatment at home. Her treatment was moving along fine until September 14 when Sophia spiked a fever. We went to the ER and discovered that she was severely neutropenic. She ended up back in the hospital for another 11 days.

Throughout this journey, Sophia has amazed everyone with her strength and positive attitude. She has become a role model to countless people. Sophia began maintenance on January 2, 2013. We expect there will be bumps along this journey, but we are certain that it will be Sophia's spirit that helps us all persevere."