Top fundraiser motivated after losing wife to rare cancer
Aron Kuch is riding in LOWVELO22 for his wife, Heather, who passed away from thymic cancer earlier this year.
Aron Kuch is currently the top fundraiser for LOWVELO 2022, with over $11,000 already raised for cancer research at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. On his fundraising page, he shares that he rides for his wife Heather. Heather was diagnosed with stage IV thymic cancer in January 2021 and passed away from the disease on March 1, 2022. Thymic cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the cells that cover the outside surface of the thymus — a small organ above the heart and under the breastbone. About 400 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer each year in the U.S.
Aron wants to increase awareness of thymic cancer and improve the outcomes for patients through funding research for better treatments and earlier detection. In this Q&A, he shares why LOWVELO is so important to him and how to fundraise with success.
How did you get involved with LOWVELO?
I heard about it a couple years ago but was reminded last year as I visited Hollings Cancer Center a lot with my wife. I started training for last year’s ride but crashed two months out and visited MUSC’s emergency room. With my wounds mostly healed, it was time to get back into the fight for this year.
Why is this an important cause for you?
My wife was a patient at MUSC for a year before passing away in March. After her diagnosis, I read numerous journal articles with the results of clinical trials. Many of those greatly improved the prognosis for this particular type of cancer (thymic). That made me see the benefit of research and how it can lead to the next family having a better experience.
What fundraising tips do you have for others?
Ask! So many people have been impacted directly or indirectly by cancer. They are willing to help. The donations don’t have to be large, $25 or $50 from many people is very helpful. Ask via email to friends, coworkers and family. Post on social media, including LinkedIn.
What are you doing to “train” for the ride day?
After I finished the Cooper River Bridge Run, I started a weekly “long” ride; I’m up to 40 miles. I am doing a varying intensity ride weekly and two casual rides of about an hour each.
Most importantly, I’m going to get instructions on how to ride a road bike, so that I don’t send myself to the ER again!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Please visit and share my website, irideforheather.com, and follow my LOWVELO journey on Instagram: instagram.com/irideforheather.
