Seneca Valley senior pedals 100 miles for charity
A Seneca Valley senior honored his grandparents and raised funds for cancer research by pedaling from Cranberry Township to Grove City and back for his senior project.
Noah Peterson, of Cranberry Township, made the 100-mile trek in April to show support for his grandparents, who have battled cancer, and to raise $1,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Noah exceeded his goal and raised $1,300.
He began working with a trainer over the winter, when he set up a fundraising website and started promoting his project to family and friends.
On April 17, he hopped on his bike and headed north.
“I went to bed early the night before and found it hard to fall asleep,” Noah said. “When I woke up, I ate a big breakfast, packed some food and water bottles and set off.”
The ride took nearly six hours, with his father tagging along in a vehicle he used to provide Noah with additional sustenance during the trip.
Noah said his parents, coach and grandparents served as his inspiration as he made the trip across the hilly Western Pennsylvania geography.
“We finished together,” Noah said.
Dan Tobin, the American Cancer Society’s director of regional integrated marketing, said Noah could have chosen any entity for the project, but chose to show his love for his grandparents and raise funds for cancer research.
“I am extremely humbled by this young man and his effort to show support for his grandparents, while also supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society,” Tobin said.
Noah said he watched his grandparents struggle through chemotherapy and radiation treatments during the past several years, and was inspired by their grace and courage.
“My grandparents are special to me, so I wanted to do something special for them,” he said.
