Ricardo Andreu
- National: 4th
- State: 1st in FL
- My Team: 1st
I'm Riding For
#Joestrong
Joe was your average 3rd grader. He loved video games, the WWE, and hanging out with his friends and family. And then, in an instant, everything changed. A lingering illness turned out to be Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (or ALL). Cancer. The words no parent ever wants to hear. He loved spending time with his family, friends, and his two dogs Emma and Gary. Joe had a love for life and enjoyed taking rides in his go cart, playing outside, watching Youtube and playing video games. He enjoyed cheeseburgers and pizza, sour skittles and pickles. Joe had a love for helping those less fortunate than himself. He had a contagious laugh, a bright smile, and a kind spirit. Over the nine months Joe fought leukemia, he was still your average kid in so many ways. Still loved video games, the WWE, and hanging out with his friends and family. He earned his way to being so much more than your Average Joe. He is a Fighter, a Hero, an Inspiration. We are #joestrong.
My Story
This September, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!
Why? Because right now, cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the United States. Over 15,700 children are diagnosed every year, and sadly, 38 children die of cancer every week.
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
So I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support Children's Cancer Research Fund to allow them to continue their work to develop lifesaving treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.
Please support me by making a donation to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.
Your support will change little lives.
Thank you.
Ricardo
My Legacy
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1,529 mi Ridden$10,390 Raised2019
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466 mi Ridden$4,357 Raised2020
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435 mi Ridden$22,630 Raised2021
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404 mi Ridden$27,675 Raised2022
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400 mi Ridden$18,384 Raised2023
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508 mi Ridden$25,613 Raised2024
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399 mi Ridden$28,314 Raised2025
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Ridden$25,146 Raised2026
My Challenge
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3rd Day of Torture
26 Aug 2026I was unable to stay as long today, but I went and I trained in the time I had available. DAY III.
Today I rode with my favorite "classmates"
Thank you to those who have stepped up and made a donation today.
Posted 15 days ago -
SPIN CLASS OF HORRORS
25 Aug 2026OK, sotry time. But this story deserves at least a $1 donation.
I'm trying to get myself in shape for the Great Cycle Challenge USA that starts next month (Why I need donations). I'm in the middle of intensive work training (IYKYK), In far, far away from my bike, helmet and other gear. SO, I've got a temporary membership to a Health Club in town where they have Spun Bikes (better than gym stationary bikes, more representative of a road bike). I started sneaking in 1hr training sessions since yesterday, it wasn't bad.
Today, my goal was to do the same thing, go on, pedal for 1hr, go back to studying. 35 minutes into my session, a bunch of younger folks (except for one gramma that looked 80) started coming in, LONG story short, I got trapped in a spoon class, and for the last 20-25 minutes of my hr, I tried keeping up and doing the class.....💀
Needless to say, I don't belong in there. And at the end of my hr I left, but it was W I L D!
FISH OUTTA WATER. Now, drop me a donation for my efforts and willingness to give it a try.
I'LL DO ANYTHING FOR THESE KIDS. 💛🧡
P.S. I don't need you to tell me how creepy it was that I took pictures, but nobody would belive that story otherwise, not even myself 24hrs ago.
Posted 16 days ago -
#Joestrong's Story - Part II
7 Jan 2026Joe was terrified just like the rest of us. He was very silent and hardly spoke for the first month after diagnosis. Not typical of Joe. He asked both David and me, on multiple occasions, if he was going to die. Can you imagine, 8 years old and asking that? Or as a parent, trying to field it? My answer always, always was, "not on my watch, Joe. Not on my watch". A promise I could not keep.
Turns out Joe's leukemia was a very rare and aggressive subtype called Hypodiploid Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia that made him resistant to virtually every form of treatment (there are not a lot-which is why what you are doing is so very important) available.
Joe would be treated at home, here in Jacksonville. When that treatment proved to not be effective, we were sent to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for CAR-T cell therapy. Joe and I lived there for 6 weeks. He ended up intubated in the ICU for over a week only to be told at the end of the six weeks again "I'm sorry it didn't work. We still some options, but the list is very short" Again, WTF. We were sent home to Jacksonville on a trial chemo and two weeks later, got "I'm sorry, it didn't work. You should take Joe home and make memories". Well, we operate on the philosophy of "If you're going down you may as well go down swinging".
David and I had already been doing extensive research for other clinical trials. It so happened that I found one at St.Jude in Memphis that accepted us. On October 23, 2019 we flew to Memphis. Joe had an awful time holding onto platelets and was a huge bleed risk because of this so flying was a very high risk. But, we made it and started treatment right away. Fast forward to mid-November, Joe again responded for the first two weeks and we thought we were on our way. Then, he started getting sick. Sicker and sicker. He couldn't eat or hold anything down. He lost 10 pounds in a matter of roughly 2 weeks. Upon taking him to the hospital, he was admitted to ICU, yet again. I'm sparing you from the details but to say it was difficult would be the greatest understatement ever. On November 23,2019, the ICU doc came in and told us that Joe's odds of survival were very low and they were moving us to hospice. Our worlds crashed down again....
We lost Joe on November 26, 2019 at 10:12a.m. in Memphis at St.Jude. He drifted out of this world in my arms. My hand was on his heart and I felt it stop beating. David and John sat next to him. Our worlds crashed yet again but in a way that no parent or sibling should ever have to experience. In a way that will never be rebuilt. We all died that day- forever changed. I will grieve Joe's loss until the day comes when I drift away to be with him for eternity.
Posted 246 days ago
My Sponsors
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Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation
“Here's your matched donation from a group of wonderful Children's Cancer Research Fund supporters. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$10,149.47Received this donation 4 hours ago -
Robert Hill
$5,175Received this donation 23 hours ago -
Karen Putzke
“So happy to support you in this important endeavor! - Brian and Karen”
$5,000Received this donation 1 day ago -
Gary Chartrand
$1,035Received this donation 3 days ago -
Marshall Hill
“Keep up the great work, Ricardo! Proud to see you getting after it once again.”
$517.50Received this donation 1 day ago -
Clark ODonnell
“Keep pushing and have fun for Joe! ❤️Emma and Clark”
$399Received this donation 12 hours ago -
Facebook Fundraiser Donation
$250Received this donation 2 days ago -
Alfredo Cruz
“Keep the fight on kicking cancer’s butt!!!”
$103.50Received this donation 19 hours ago -
Angelo Pereira
$103.50Received this donation 2 days ago
Ricardo
“Angelo, thank you so much fir your generosity and kindness. Your contribution will better the lives and chances of many kids.”
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Anonymous
“The skies the limit in what we can do for others in their journey!”
$103.50Received this donation 8 days ago
Ricardo
“It truly is, thank you for your unwavering support, I'll keep pushing, and reaching for the sky!”
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Frank Simon
$103.50Received this donation 15 hours ago -
Jeff Martin
$103.50Received this donation 13 hours ago -
Anonymous
$103.50Received this donation 18 hours ago -
Patrick Everson
“F cancer!”
$103.50Received this donation 15 days ago
Ricardo
“Pat, I couldn't agree more; F Cancer indeed. Thank you for being my ally and supporting this effort. I hate that we're united in these ugly ribbons. But your generosity will make a difference in the life of children. ”
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Robert Minahan
$103.50Received this donation 9 days ago
Ricardo
“Robert, thank you for allowing me to do a memorial ride for AJ, he sounds like an outstanding young man. I hope this little gesture brings you a little bit of comfort, knowing he is remembered. Thank you for your Support.”
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Shaun Mouzakis
“Keep up the good work brother”
$103.50Received this donation 7 days ago
Ricardo
“Shaun, You're an absolute legend. Thank you for the support, know your support will have an impact in life lives.”
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Anonymous
$103.50Received this donation 18 hours ago -
Facebook Fundraiser Donation
$102.53Received this donation 2 days ago -
Eric Hoogeveen
“Kick cancer’s ass! Good luck!”
$100Received this donation 16 hours ago -
Facebook Fundraiser Donation
$100Received this donation 10 days ago