The 2nd Annual Bike for Batten fundraiser, organized by Bekah Murphy, a CLN2 Batten aunt, featured bike rides in Nampa, Idaho on Saturday, September 17th and Colville, Washington on Saturday, September 24th. Others participated in bike rides in their respective hometowns. The $3,275 raised will go to the BDSRA Foundation for research. Read Bekah’s experience at this year’s event below!

Above: Murphy bikes alongside family friend, Dan, outside of Colville, WA. 

“Overcoming together.”

These two words sum up my experience with this year’s Bike for Batten fundraiser.  Together, as a family, as friends, and as a community,  we overcame. We overcame flat bike tires. We overcame exhaustion. We overcame loneliness. And working through these obstacles, we experienced the most beautiful fall days to ride the countryside. We experienced hope and joy in the very presence of grief and heartache. And we experienced community coming together to raise $3,275 that will go straight to Batten research!  Great things happen when we overcome together. Strength and hope will emerge.

Right: Murphy’s bike crew participated in the first bike ride in Nampa, ID (From left: Bekah Bowman, Murphy’s sister-in-law and Batten mother, Jeremiah, Murphy, and son Colby).

I’m so thankful for the ability to work with the BDSRA Foundation and for their work to make Bike for Batten happen! And a huge thank you to all the donors and supporters. See you next year!

-Bekah Murphy, CLN2 Aunt