Radnor-based nonprofit to gift customized, adaptive bike to child in need at upcoming 5K

One child will be given a very special gift in the coming weeks, and he will have a Radnor-based nonprofit to thank for it.

On Saturday, May 16, the presentation will take place, and the day will “truly be a day of hope in motion”, said Emily Progin, Content Manager for Help Hope Live. During its annual 5K,  8-year-old Sy’Heem Preister and his family will be the lucky recipients of a customized adaptive bike as part of the third annual Hope Travels 5K returning to Radnor Corporate Center, benefiting the Radnor-based, national nonprofit Help Hope Live. 

“Living with autism and sensory processing disorder, Sy’Heem faces daily obstacles, particularly in his capacity to get out his energy in a healthy way and stay active,” explained Progin in a press release regarding the event. “Custom adaptive bikes can be life-changing, providing routine rehabilitative exercise, fresh air, and community interaction for kids and adults with disabilities.” 

Despite their benefits, these bikes are often not covered by health insurance, “leaving the families of kids like Sy’Heem on the hook for $6,000 or more out of pocket,” said Progin. 

But, that’s where the Help Hope Live community comes in. 

“Annual support for the national medical fundraising nonprofit fuels one-on-one assistance for thousands of patients and families, but it also enables special giveaways like this one to set hope in motion for tristate kids and young adults with mobility-impacting disabilities like Sy’Heem,” said the nonprofit spokesperson. “Dozens of kids like Sy’Heem have received adaptive bikes since the start of the ‘Every Child Deserves a Bike’ initiative from Help Hope Live and its partners.”

To celebrate the donation of the bike, and of course to raise funds for future endeavors, Help Hope Live will operate the 5K.

“Walkers, runners, rollers, and supporters will gather on May 16 alongside Sy’Heem and his family to celebrate hope and motion in all its forms,” said Progin. 

The Hope Travels 2026 event is sponsored by its title sponsors, Brandywine Realty Trust and MobilityWorks, and its platinum sponsor, the Glenmede Endowment & Foundation Management. 

The Details:

• When: Saturday, May 16, 2026
• Schedule:
  • Check-in at 9:30 a.m.
  • Adaptive bike presentation with Sy’Heem and family at 10 a.m.
  • 5K begins at 10:30 a.m.
  • The one-mile fun walk begins at 10:35 a.m.
• Where: 2 Radnor Corporate Center, Radnor, PA 19087. Virtual option available.
• What: Certified 5K race with chipped timing and 1-mile run/walk. Prizes for top 1-3 finishers and fundraisers. Medals for all finishers. No pets permitted.
• New This Year: Team Barrett Brooks Challenge. Join Help Hope Live’s Brand Champion and co-host of NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Birds Huddle to raise $555 and enjoy perks including an exclusive t-shirt, VIP post-race brunch, and a walk/run with Barrett himself. 
• Cost: $35 to register before May 9, 2026, then $45; or sponsor starting at just $500. Register by April 27 to be guaranteed a shirt.
• Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Wayne/HopeTravels5KWalkRunRideorRoll 

Help Hope Live aims to continue its work, ensuring children no matter their condition, are able to enjoy life, but does depend on the action of others to help make it work.

“We believe that a medical crisis shouldn’t become a financial crisis,” said Progin, citing the organization’s motto. “Since 1983, Help Hope Live (helphopelive.org) has helped raise more than $194 million to cover the unmet medical needs of over 25,000 individuals and families.”

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit supports community-based fundraising year-round for people with unmet medical expenses and related costs due to cell and organ transplants or catastrophic injuries and illnesses.

“Help Hope Live has the highest possible four-star rating from Charity Navigator. We are ranked nationally in the top 1% of all U.S. charities,” said Progin. 

Help Hope Live was founded in 1983 by a Philadelphia transplant surgeon and his

wife, a nurse, to help patients fund lifesaving heart transplants, then considered

experimental.

“Today, our mission spans a diverse patient community in all 50 states and Puerto Rico: people living with diagnoses ranging from long COVID to cancer to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and chronic illnesses,” said the organization’s release.  “Funds raised through donations and community events not only sustain our nonprofit’s program and services but also enable special initiatives that impact local families, from emergency needs grants to adaptive bike giveaways for children in the tristate area living with disabilities.”