Janet Banks
- National: 126th
- State: 5th in OH
- My Team: 1st
I'm Riding For
my son Sean Strother and in honor of those impacted by cancer.
My Story
In June of 2022, I lost my only child, Sean, to Glioblastoma, an aggressive, treatment-resistant, and incurable brain cancer with a poor prognosis. This disease is devastating in children and adults.
Today, 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. Sean, granted, was not a child, but at 38 years of age, was committed to the Great Cycle Challenge initiative and during 2020 and 2021, rode his bike over 500 miles, raising $14,000!
To carry forward Sean’s legacy of kindness and being a part of a solution to end childhood cancer, I will continue to take the baton and pedal on my bike 100 miles throughout September to honor his memory, honor those who are battling cancer, and support a cause close to his heart and mine.
All funds raised through my site and the Sean Scott Strother Family & Friends team will stay local, supporting cancer research at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Center for Pediatric Immunotherapy.
UH will also host our memorable community ride on Saturday, September 20th, at 9:00 am, followed by a roll-out at 10:00 am.
Location: University Hospitals of Cleveland
2065 Adelbert Road
Cleveland, Ohio
I am thrilled to announce that the St. Ignatius 5th - 8th-grade REACHing Magis scholars will join us on this ride. We welcome our young scholars.
An update will be posted as we finalize the details soon.
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
Please support us by donating to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.
Your support will change little lives.
We’re in this together!
Thank you.
~Janet
Sean’s mom
My Legacy
-
64 mi Ridden$6,109 Raised2022
-
62 mi Ridden$6,405 Raised2023
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76 mi Ridden$7,031 Raised2024
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36 mi Ridden$5,199 Raised2025
My Challenge
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6.2 mi ride - Saturday, September 20, 2025
Logged this ride 2 days ago -
7.2 mi ride - Relaxing ride along MetroParks Lakefront with view of Cle East Entrance Lighthouse - Thursday, September 18, 2025
Logged this ride 4 days ago -
5.3 mi ride - Beautiful evening ride and admiring the 🎃🎃🎃displays! - Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Logged this ride 6 days ago -
$2,500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $2,500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved SUPERHERO LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 12 days ago -
$2,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $2,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved LEGEND LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 12 days ago -
$1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $1,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved WARRIOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 12 days ago -
8.7 mi ride - Enjoyable day for a lakefront ride in the park! - Saturday, September 6, 2025
Logged this ride 16 days ago -
8.7 mi ride - Inaugural GCC ride thru Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens to the Cancer Survivor’s Plaza. - Monday, September 1, 2025
Logged this ride 21 days ago -
$500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved GUARDIAN LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 129 days ago -
$250 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $250 to fight kids' cancer and achieved PROTECTOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 172 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!”
$2,048.90Received this donation 12 days ago -
Jaci Traver
“Janet, you are amazing! Go get 'em!”
$621Received this donation 12 days ago -
Mary Gerber
“Dear Janet, I am sure that Sean is looking down with a big smile…and filled with pride and gratitude for his Mom❣️ Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this important cause that will benefit so many children and their families. Enjoy the ride! Mary”
$274.28Received this donation 12 days ago -
REGINA STROTHER
“Go Team Strother!!!”
$250Received this donation 12 days ago -
Anonymous
“Proud to support you, Jada and Sean's legacy”
$103.50Received this donation 129 days ago -
Pauline Fong
“In honor of Sean, whose courage, tenacity, humor, and kindness still remains in my heart. Your fight against cancer is still our fight too.”
$103.50Received this donation 12 days ago -
The Unsealed
“Inspired by Jada's strength and courage.”
$103.50Received this donation 172 days ago -
Wanda Whitmore
“Ride on, Janet! Sean is at your back.....gently pushing those pedals.”
$103.50Received this donation 12 days ago -
Rachel Grady
“Sean’s legacy lives on. A champion! Janet you are a champion mother. Thank you for your generosity supporting the brain 🧠 tumor community. Much ❤️ love my friend.”
$72.45Received this donation 7 days ago -
Rozlyn Grant
$72.45Received this donation 171 days ago -
Aja
“Love you, Auntie!! I'm so proud of you ❤️”
$50Received this donation 10 days ago -
Sharon Lave
“Good luck on your community ride! Sorry I can't join you this year, but I'll be in Florida cheering for you.”
$36.23Received this donation 12 days ago -
Bill Goodman
$7Received this donation 146 days ago
Janet
“Dear Bill: Thank you for your generous donation. Your gift fuels transformational research to bring better treatments and cures to children with cancer. Thank you again for your support. ~Janet”
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Andrew Banks
“Congratulations to Janet on four incredible years of leadership in this amazing bicycle ride to raise money for children’s cancer. Your dedication, passion, and teamwork inspire so many and make a real difference in the lives of children and families facing cancer. Thank you for your unwavering commitment, leadership, and compassion. Your perseverance and behind-the-scenes guidance have driven incredible momentum, rallying supporters and pushing all riders a little farther, encouraging givers to give a little more. Your work embodies courage, generosity, and hope. To the Sean Strother family and our remarkable friends: Your continued support and outstanding results show what we can achieve when we come together for a meaningful cause. Each mile covered, each donation made, and each smile shared along the route speaks volumes about your spirit and resilience. May we keep pushing for brighter futures for every child fighting cancer,”
$1,035Received this donation 12 days ago -
Janet Banks
“Today, February 14th, in memory of my son Sean, and on his Valentine's Day birthday, I am jumpstarting our campaign to raise funds and create awareness for children's cancer research. As a Great Cycle Challenge rider, Sean was passionate about helping to advance pediatric cancer research. To continue his legacy, I will pedal 100 miles this September to work towards "a future without cancer."”
$214Received this donation 220 days ago -
Sean Strother Pediatric Immunotherapy Fund
“Dear Matt Step of Heights Swedish Solutions: Thank you for your generous donation to support children's cancer research. Know that with your gift, children with cancer get one step closer to a cure - and to safer treatments, without lasting side effects. With much gratitude, Janet”
$103.50Received this donation 12 days ago