What is the Race for Life all about?

It all started in 1981 when an avid 12 year old BMX racer from Michigan discovered he had Leukemia. Todd Kingsbury

was his name, and like many BMXers, he had dreams of someday becoming a top pro in the sport. Unfortunately,

this dreaded disease would keep Todd from fulfilling his dream. When Todd’s friends and the American Bicycle

Association learned of his diagnosis, it was decided that an organized effort should be made to help in Todd’s “Race for Life.”

The Todd Kingsbury Story

Like most kids his age, 11-year-old Todd Kingsbury lived and breathed bicycle motocross (BMX) 24 hours a day.

In the early part of 1980, he was the leader in the American Bicycle Association’s BMX district points competition.

However, as the year went on, Todd went from winning the district-wide events to just barely qualifying for local BMX

championship events. Something was wrong.
 

At a Michigan state championship race in July 1980, Todd crashed and had to get his arm checked out. Like

most BMX accidents, everything checked out fine but Todd’s arm continued to hurt the following week. After

getting bumped at school, his arm swelled up to the size of a grapefruit. The Kingsbury family became very

concerned and decided it was time for a thorough examination.

Todd would spend the next nine days in and out of the hospital, enduring many tests and exams, while

at the same time dreaming of someday becoming a BMX Pro. Finally, the doctors completed their diagnosis

and explained to Todd and his parents that Todd had leukemia. Todd was now faced with the biggest race: his race for life.

In July 1981, when the American Bicycle Association (ABA) staff learned of Todd’s diagnosis, the organization and

the “family-like” sport of BMX decided to pitch in and help by launching the “Race For Life” series, with all the

proceeds going to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s efforts to help find a cure for kids such as Todd. An amazing

$223,000 was raised that first year, with 130 ABA tracks putting on Race For Life events. Although weakened by leukemia,

Todd continued to ride and worked harder than anyone to support the Race For Life event at Waterford Oaks, MI BMX track.

Todd was to be the honorary race director for that race and told a reporter, “This (event) might help other people from

getting (leukemia).” Todd passed away on Sept. 13, 1981 and was laid to rest in his Powerlite BMX uniform, taking with

him a part of the sport he loved. In his 12 years of life, Todd touched many parents and racers. He is remembered in

the hearts of all BMXers each year, as every USA BMX track holds a Race For Life in the hope that someday, there

will be a cure for leukemia and a deserving boy such as Todd can live a full life.

Each year, every USA BMX track holds a “Race For Life”, with all proceeds going to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

At these special events, racers can win a ton of cool prizes depending on how many donations they bring in from a wristband

or a T-shirt, to a $500 travel stipend, one FREE hotel room, entry fees for the Race of Champions and Grand Nationals

in Tulsa, Oklahoma over Thanksgiving weekend.