Category Mount Ephraim
By Bill Bates
NEWS Correspondent
According to the American Cancer Society, there were 556,902 cancer deaths in the United States in 2003, the latest information available on their website. Most likely you or someone you know has been affected by cancer. My close friend's aunt, Kathy Muendel, died 4 years ago from cancer on August 2, 2003. I had a childhood friend's father, another Mount Ephraim resident, Denny Kerper, die from cancer 7 years ago on August 10, 2000.
One of my supervisors at my full-time employment battled cancer for several years and successfully beat the disease and is now healthy.
PHOTO BY CHARLIE MUENDEL
RIDING FOR A GREAT CAUSE - Members of "Team Twin Rose" pose for a quick picture shortly after 6 a.m. as they were loading a box truck with
their bikes that would be dropping them off in Philly to complete the 70 mile bike route for the 35th Annual ACS Bike-A-Thon.
Pictured (from left standing) Jason Lindsley, Neil Brooks, Pat Bocchicchio, Maria Bates, Bill Bates, Eric Pedersen, and Paul Frantz. Seated in middle are Patricia Frick (Kathy's "twin" sister), & Robin Muendel (one of Kathy's daughters).
Missing from the photo is Team Captain Charlie Muendel (taking the photo) who works diligently with his daughters, family members and close friends to put Team Twin Rose together every year to ride in honor and memory of his wife.
Three out of five people know someone who has cancer. We all have heard stories that are encouraging an uplifting while others are discouraging and tragic. That is the case hears a wonderful wife and mother of three, surrounded by loving family and friends lost her battle to this disease.
Members from the "Team Twin Rose" rode in loving memory of the Mount Ephraim resident, Kathy Muendel, during the 35th Annual American Cancer Society Bike-A-Thon that was held on Sunday, July 15. The race started at 7 a.m. at the base of the Ben Franklin Bridge and proceeded through South Jersey where it eventually ended at the Buena Vista Camping Park grounds.
Members from the team met at the local Guiseppi's Bar & Restaurant, one of the team sponsors, to load their bikes and head over to Philly to the start of the race. The race was a 70 mile route which winded its way through Cherry Hill, Shamong, Hammonton, Elwood, Estell Mannor, and eventually ending up in Buena.
One of the biggest challenges that many of the riders were faced with was trying to beat the heat as the temperature reached a very sunny and humid 94 degrees. Thankfully, there were several rest stops that were set-up by the American Cancer Society along the route that were well stocked with water, oranges, bananas, and energy bars.
The Team Twin Rose had a total of 10 riders who took part in this year's race and five support staff that met the riders at each designated rest stop to cheer them on and to help if they needed anything.
PROUDLY DISPLAYING - The Support Staff of Team Twin Rose
proudly displays a homemade sign in loving memory of Kathy Muendel that was displayed for all riders to see as they entered each rest stop during the race.
A special THANK YOU goes out from the entire Muendel Family to all of the riders who participated this year and for all the money they helped raise to donate to the ACS.
A special THANK YOU also goes out to the sponsors who helped purchase team shirts for the riders and support staff.
This years' team sponsors were Brooks Hydraulics of Mount Ephraim, Guiseppi's Family Restaurant & Bar of Mount Ephraim, Winner Ford of Cherry Hill, Freeride Bike Shop of Haddonfield, John's Barbara Shop of Audubon, and Designer T's of Cherry Hill.
Team Twin Rose together helped raise $3,055.00 for the American Cancer Society which goes to research, advocacy, and education, but also for vital programs and services that give people hope and answers. A grand total of 1.7 million dollars was raised this year during the ACS Bike-A-Thon according to their website and over 4,600 riders rode for a cure last year, with this year's number unavailable at this time.
The team looks forward to the race next year and as usual, will start training several weeks in advance for the race.
Team Twin Rose enjoyed an after party at one of the support staffs residences where everyone enjoyed great food, drinks, and conversation around the pool. Most importantly, they socialized and remembered the life of a wonderful person who may no longer be with us, but will never be forgotten as long as Team Twin Rose is around.
