A retired Florida Highway Patrol officer returned to Jacksonville Beach on Tuesday after a 5000-mile bike ride from Western Canada, through California and across the United States to support children’s cancer research.

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. Jacksonville Beach Elementary and Neptune Beach Elementary Schools are remembering one of their students who passed away from cancer last year. Joe and his family spent months battling Joes cancer with experiential and clinical trials in 2019. Those treatments were in part due to work spearheaded by the Childhood Cancer Research Fund. RELATED: Bicyclists raise money to end childhood cancer in memory of 9-year-old Jacksonville BeachAll the proceeds from Saturdays event go the Childhood Cancer Research Fund. The event starts at 2 p.m. at Jarboe Park in Neptune Beach under the pavilion by the basketball court.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. A group of bicyclists, family, friends, and people who never even knew Joe DeWaele are raising money in his memory. DONATE: Support Childrens Cancer Research Fund in honor of Joe DeWaeleJoe DeWaele was 9-years-old when he passed away from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (or ALL). Andreu is one of more than 90 riders who are pledging miles to raise money for Childrens Cancer Research Fund. The goal of the nonprofit and every rider under Team #JoeStrong is to find a cure and end childhood cancer. Andreu who met Joe during his cancer treatment has pledged to ride 399 miles, every mile represents something significant in Joes life.