Here's How it Works:

Cycle for Hope is a virtual, month-long cycling event to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois (RMHCCI). Participants are challenged to ride 100 miles in the month of October while fundraising for RMHCCI. You can rack up those miles by cycling indoors (perhaps with your favorite Peloton instructor!) or safely on the road in one day, a weekend, or throughout the entire month. You can create a team of 4 to ride and fundraise together, or you can do this on your own.

Each participant who raises $100 or more will receive a custom RMHCCI and t-shirt.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois wants you to participate in Cycle for Hope by sponsoring a participating individual or team! Together, we can raise the necessary funds that provide comfort and care for families of sick children to stay while receiving medical care at a nearby hospital.

Ronald McDonald House Charities is a home away from home for families who have children receiving medical care. Families who stay with us have a private room and bathroom, access to free laundry services, meals and snacks, and the comfort of knowing they are close to their children when they are staying in a hospital or other facility. Families are never asked to pay to stay with us, therefore every single dollar raised is used to sustain the house and our programs. Below is a story about Collins and her family.

JaLee and Derek had an unexpected stay at the Peoria Ronald McDonald House when their daughter, Collins, was born at 27 weeks two-day gestation. Collins ended up spending 111 days in the NICU at Children's Hospital of Illinois due to her extreme prematurity and a heart condition. Jaylee was aware of the RMHCCI, but the nurses in the NICU were the ones who provided them with the information to request a room at the House.

When asked about her favorite part about staying at the Peoria House is, Jaylee said:

"My favorite part of staying at RMHCCI was having a place where I could truly feel comfortable and "at-home" in a while, still being so close to the hospital to access my daughter at all times. The staff were so caring and made coming back from long 12+ hour days in the hospital not feel so lonely. My husband had to stay at home and could not take as much time off work, so knowing that I still had someone to come back to every day and talk to, really helped on some of the especially difficult days. The convenience of being less than 5 minutes from the hospital was the most helpful part of staying in the House and the comforts of home. Having meals provided and laundry facilities were a huge help!"