John - a husband, father, son, brother, friend, volunteer, bike buddy, cycling coach and all around great guy - left us far too soon. He brought love and joy into all of our hearts. John’s kind spirit, compassionate nature, bright smile, incessant encouragement, lies about the existence of hills on bike rides, and witty banter will be missed.
The world is a little darker without John’s light in it, but let’s all come together and remember and celebrate John and his love for cycling and giving back to the community by making a contribution to Team In Training, an organization with a mission that was near and dear to his heart.
In 2010, John wrote the following Mission Moment about why he continued to ride 100 miles on the bike (in one day!!) and raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
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“Good Morning, Team. As I thought about what to write this week for the Mission Moment, I reflected on the TNT experiences that I have had over the last seven years. It hasn't always been easy, but being involved in this organization is without a doubt one of the best decisions that I have ever made. The most amazing people in the world are people I now call friends; they wear purple and green, they are inspiring, and they will give until they can't give any more - and then they give you more. My friends and teammates are selfless heroes who give their most precious commodity to find a cure for blood cancer - their time.
I ride in memory of Cameron McClain, Cameron was born on July 4, 1997. He had a normal life - enjoying Lilo & Stitch, Spiderman, and Nintendo. He and his younger brother, Conner, were the best of friends. On November 4th, 2003, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Philadelphia Chromosome positive (Ph+). His young parents watched him go through chemotherapy and receive a bone marrow transplant from Conner. In April 2004 he was able to go home, symptom free. Cameron's family seemed as if they were back to normal. I remember calling Cameron at the Seagull finish line to thank him for giving me the strength to pedal 100 miles and he said thank you and that he was very glad that I called - he stayed inside on a beautiful fall day waiting for me to call and wanted to go out and play! Sadly, in August 2005, Cameron's PH+ ALL returned. The next four months were filled with joy and pain. Sister Emma arrived in September, as Cameron was seemingly doing better. The community rallied behind the McClain and held fundraisers to help with the unending medical bills that were accompanied by loss of income. At such a difficult time during the end of Cameron's short life, the real beauty of humanity shown through.
You've heard countless times that what you are doing makes a difference - it really does! You are slowly stopping this cancer by raising crucial funds that are used to find better medicines to cure this disease. Getting up early in the morning to drive to training is hard. Climbing hills is harder. Coming out of your comfort zone to ask friends for money is really hard. Recommitting is scary. Doing 100 miles on a bike in one day is borderline crazy. Thank you for taking these challenges head on and being part of the team to cure blood cancers. I hope that you, too, will also find that riding with Team in Training is one of your better decisions in life.
Go TEAM!”
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OYL, JP3KIR (On your left, John Philibin III, Keeping It Real) ← This is how JP would sign his TNT emails
To make a donation in John's memory, please click the Donate Now button on the right.
All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. They'll not only support LLS research but patient services, advocacy, public and professional education, and community services as well.
On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere we thank you for your support!
For more information about LLS, please visit lls.org