Angel Ride helping kids with cancer

West Hartford (WTNH) - Keith Knowles knows despair. His five year old daughter Taylor died from a brain tumor.

"For us to have those moments with her meant so much," Knowles, of West Hartford, said. "Right now, to give back, to give families a happy normal life even if just for a little, it feels good to do that."

Giving back means raising money through the Angel Ride, a 130-mile trek from the Northwest corner of Connecticut to Ashford, and down to Mystic on a bike. The donations go to Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camp, where kids with cancer can be kids.

"They treat kids like they are one hundred percent healthy. It means so much," Knowles said.

As if losing his daughter Taylor wasn't bad enough, Keith was also diagnosed with a brain tumor in October of 2007.

"I don't look at myself as being sick, but rather as being healthy," he said.

A scar behind his right ear is the only visible sign of Keith's tumor. He had 90-percent of it surgically removed. He lost hearing in that ear and balance is difficult, especially on a bicycle, but mirrors on the handlebars keep him steady.

A picture of Taylor in a plastic sleeve attached to his handlebars is his motivation.

"I look at the picture and think about the kids," Knowles said. "Would I rather have radiation and chemo or get through the five miles up hill? I keep pedaling."

His shirt reads 'I have a brain tumor', but Keith will tell you it's about awareness and there's no time to be sorry.

"Every day I wake up and give thanks that I can see my family," he said.

And that family will be at the finish line cheering him on.

This is the sixth year for the Angel Ride. Last year bicyclists raised $425,000 for the Angel Charitable Trust. This year's goal is $600,000.

To learn more about the ride and how it all began visit www.angelride.org