Hundreds from across the Bismarck area came together to cycle for good at the Great American Bike Race (GABR), the region’s largest one-day cycling event benefiting local kids and families who count on Sanford Children’s Hospital and clinics.
The event, held on Saturday, May 3, at the Bismarck Event Center raised over $88,000 for Sanford Children’s.
Led by instructors from CycleBar, teams of participants took turns cycling relay-style — pushing their legs, their strength and their endurance to the limit in support of better health and brighter futures for local kids of all ages.
100% of every dollar they raised will stay local to fuel lifesaving equipment and meaningful programs like these:
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- The region’s only Child Life program, designed to bring pediatric patients and their families comfort and reassurance through education and therapeutic play
- Family assistance for treatment-related costs not covered by insurance, such as meals, lodging, travel and more
- Direct assistance for qualifying local kids with childhood onset conditions to help with specialized therapies, adaptive bikes, wheelchairs, orthotics and more
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From our sponsors, to our donors, to every participant who showed up with passion, perseverance and purpose — we can’t say thank you enough. Every mile, every drop of sweat, every donation — they all speak volumes about the heart of our community and our shared commitment to give local kids the healthy futures they deserve.
Vice president for the Sanford Health Foundation in Bismarck
Local kids like Madelyn and Elliott, the 2025 Sanford Children’s ambassadors. Elliott’s father, Matt Ferderer, spoke at the event and shared his appreciation for GABR’s mission, every participant and Sanford Children’s.
There is no way to explain how it feels to be “a mother or a father or a sibling that loves and cares for a child with special needs, complex medical needs or a chronic illness —unless you live it,” Matt said
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There’s a saying that says the strongest battles are given to the strongest warriors. Elliott is a warrior and forever will be. Madelyn is a warrior. The kids that you ride for are warriors. Thank you for everything that this organization does for our family and all the families that are supported by your actions and donations. Thank you for the people that love Elliott enough to embrace her, empathize and help.
Elliott’s father
Give for Children. Give for Good.
Each year, thousands of kids from across central and western North Dakota — and beyond — turn to Sanford Children’s Hospital and clinics in Bismarck for extra or unexpected care, close to home. But many more are waiting for hope.
As the region’s largest nonprofit pediatric health care system, it takes all of us to give every child the hopeful, healthy future they deserve. If you’re inspired by this story and want to join our work to further transform pediatric health care for our region, we invite you to Give for Good today.
100% of your gift through the Sanford Health Foundation will help advance world-class pediatric care and specialty programs to surround local kids with everything they need to thrive.