More than 100 Durango Derailers bicycle club members are training for a July ride to raise money to cover the travel expenses of Southwest Colorado children who are treated at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora.
It will be the sixth year that Derailers ride the three-day Courage Classic, which last year raised $2.3 million for Children’s Hospital. The race is marking its 24th outing, which this year will be centered around Copper Mountain along Interstate 70.
Dr. Kelly Miller at Pediatric Partners of the Southwest is the Durango Derailers team captain. The goal is to exceed the $58,900 that 80 riders collected from donors last summer, she said.
It should be easy because the club already has commitments from 125 riders, Miller said.
“The goal is to help the hospital, but it’s inspiring and so much fun,” Miller said.
Participants who raise at least $50,000 can designate how it’s used, Miller said.
Derailers earmarks its money for travel, lodging and meals for families who take youngsters to Children’s Hospital for outpatient or inpatient treatment.
Miller’s practice maintains close ties with Children’s Hospital, which regularly sends specialists in neurology, cardiology, pulmonology, diabetes, genetics, orthopedics and rehabilitation to Pediatric Partners.
Durango Derailers riders face a $95 registration fee and are expected to raise at least $300 each, Miller said. Early birds get a break because Mercury, which has 10 to 15 riders, pays the registration for the first 100 people who sign up.
“Our money pays for gas cards, meals and lodging,” Miller said. “But we don’t pay any medical expenses or co-pays.”
Forty families have availed themselves of financial aid in the first quarter of the current year, Miller said. Their expenses have totaled about $12,000.
Families are eligible to receive funds repeatedly but not more than once a month, she said. The aid helps relieve stress from driving to the Front Range and missing work.
Durango Derailers doesn’t manage the money raised through the Courage Classic, Miller said. Patients deal directly with Children’s Hospital social work department at (720) 777-6975.
Information about requesting travel funds or making a donation is found at www.durangoderailers.com.
daler@durangoherald.com,
