Page 44 July 2014 Arcadia family keeps fundraising dream alive for their son By Sarah Stecko On April 18, 2014, at only 20 years- old, Arcadia resident Kyle Claffey lost his four-year fight with brain cancer. And now, the Claffey family is dedicated to fulfilling his last wish. The Claffey family runs the Grey Matter Foundation (GMF), which Kyle had envisioned to raise awareness and funds for brain tumor research at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. The GMF Bicycle Shop, a large piece of the foundation, celebrated their grand opening on May 31 after months of hard work and dedication from both Kyle and his family. The bicycle shop services and sells new and used bicycles, and although it has some new items, focuses on donated bicycles that can be refurbished and sold. The landlord donated the space for the bicycle shop to the Claffeys for three years. After Kyle’s passing, his fraternal twin David took on the responsibility of president and owner of the full-service bike shop. David and Kyle had been avid bike riders since they were about 10 years old. In June 2013, Kyle was part of an eight-man team for Race Across America (RAAM 2013) from California to Maryland. David plans to ride next year’s race, on the bike Kyle used. Coincidentally, Barrow Neurological Institute opened their new facility at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center the same day Kyle passed away. A portion of the proceeds from GMF bike shop will go to fund brain tumor research at this center. “You hear about the American Cancer Society and breast cancer, but there’s a lot of people [brain cancer] has happened to,” said Mike, father and active member of the bike shop. Kyle was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 17. Four years later, David recalls the memory vividly. Their father, Mike took the twins to a bike show in Las Vegas the weekend before it happened. The next morning at Arcadia High School, in the middle of math class, Kyle suffered a seizure. “I was in my dive class and I kept feeling my phone go off in my pocket. I had no idea what it was,” David said. The ambulance arrived and took Kyle to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. The family had no Kyle Claffey and his brother (not pictured) frequently competed in bicycle events, such as The Ride Across America. previous history of similar medical issues. David justified that it could be sleep deprivation or dehydration from their weekend. Still, the hospital referred Kyle to a neurologist. Before his appointment, Kyle had another seizure. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) found a golf- ball sized mass on the back right side of his brain. It was removed in about four and a half hours, but there was bad news: It was malignant. From then on, Kyle was in and out of surgical rooms until his very last day. The family didn’t hold a funeral, but rather a Celebration of Life for him at the bike shop on May 17. Over 300 people attended, so they had to clear the bikes out of the shop for more room. “Everyone knew Kyle. Not just of him. They knew him,” Mike said. David couldn’t think of just one word to describe his brother, but the words active, outgoing and vibrant all come to mind. Donations in the form of money or bikes and accessories are graciously accepted at 5836 N. 16th St. in Phoenix, or on the website: www.gmfbikeshop.org. GMF Bicycle Shop has already received many donated bikes. Do you want your children on the path to college? Enroll in EMPOWER COLLEGE PREP! Ranked in the Top 3% of all Arizona Schools Call 602-283-5720 or visit empowercollegeprep.org for more information “My experience at Empower College Prep has overachieved my hopes for Gabriel. He’s brighter, he’s happier. Empower College Prep does that. Empower College Prep was hope for Gabriel.” –Parent of a 6th grader n “A” RATED SCHOOL! n University Field Trips- Harvard, Stanford, ASU, Georgetown, U of A, NAU n FREE tuition, breakfast, lunch, and transportation n Sports, robotics, and arts classes n Small, safe school environment located at North Phoenix Baptist Church n College-prep curriculum grades 3-12 n Most effective teachers from across the country n Values-based education n State Charter School of the Year Nominee 5757 N. Central Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85012 602.283.5720

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