The video Funeral For Man Who Biked For Charity shows the massive support by the community for the man who biked for Make a Wish and Multiple Sclerosis Society of Michigan. Kevin Degen raised thousands of dollars for the charities even though he suffered from cerebral palsy. He passed away on August 10, 2010.
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He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana but spent most of his life in Michigan where he helped countless amounts of people and inspired even more with his journey. At the age of four, he began his schooling as the youngest special education student ever to attend Oak Park school district. During his working career, Kevin showed his low for biking and raised money for charity. He biked about 3,000 miles each other using his adapted tricycles so he could raise funds and awareness for the charities.
Kevin was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age and lost the use of one arm and one leg. His doctors had no hope that Kevin would be able to live an active life. However, this didn’t stop Kevin. He still biked hundreds of miles for charity to show his support to the foundations and serve as a beacon of light during tough times.
Kevin believed in what Make A Wish and the MS Society of Michigan did and wanted to support them. Even though it was difficult for Kevin to ride his bike, he never used it as an excuse. His goal was to show others that anything can be accomplished and they shouldn’t let the barriers in front of them stop them from doing what they love. Kevin once over a six-week period, biked from Los Angeles to Washington DC to raise $60,000 for the Kenny Foundation.
Truly, an incredible feat. Over his life he raised over $100,000 for the Kenny Foundation as well as more for others. Kevin was an annual rider for the Multiple Sclerosis Society MS 150 as well as the Wolverine 200. For the Make A Wish Foundation, Kevin raised nearly $100,000 in the five years he participated. On July 24, 2010 he received special recognition and an award for his accomplishments.
200 bikers followed Kevin’s hearse to his funeral service. It showed a visible and powerful sign of the amount of people he touched throughout his journey. Bicyclists near and far came to show their support during his funeral service. Kevin will be missed by his community and everyone he made an impact on.
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