It all started with a school report. Brodie Wisniewski, a third grader at the time, gave a presentation on his idol, Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey. And at the center of his poster was the St. Jude logo, a cause that the motocross champion has been supporting for years.
After Brodie’s mom shared the photo on social media, it was only a matter of time until St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — and Ryan Dungey — reached out to thank Brodie for spreading awareness of the fight to end childhood cancer.
Brodie followed the footsteps of his idol and began to raise money for St. Jude, traveling from Illinois to Minnesota to join Ryan for his annual St. Jude ride event.
“We were at the event and Ryan walked around the corner. I was star struck,” said Brodie. “We went over and talked with Ryan, and we just hit it off. Now whenever we see each other, we talk and share advice on fundraising and racing.”
Since that first ride event benefiting St. Jude five years ago, Brodie has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital.
“I think of fundraising for the St. Jude as a competition. There’s another rider — Glen McGuire — that also raises a lot. We battle to see who can raise more. I know I’ve got to beat him.”
When Brodie and Glen first met, Glen was the top fundraiser for the ride, with Brodie in second. Brodie confidently told Glen that next year he would beat him the following year to which Glen replied "Game on."
“Brodie is just an amazing young man,” said Glen. “I think about what I was doing when I was his age, and I promise you that I was not spending a ton of my time raising money for a great cause like St. Jude. I have so much respect and admiration for him.”
The next year, Glen and Brodie battled it out for the top fundraiser seat for the ride event.
“It was great competition,” Glen reflected. “One week I would be ahead and the next week I'd check the board and see that Brodie was back in front. A few days before my flight to Minnesota for the event, I checked the board, and I had a comfortable lead. The last thing I did before leaving for the airport was to check the board one last time. And there it was, somehow at the last minute he went roaring into the lead! He got me! And that's how it went for the next few years. I beat him that first year, but he beat me every year afterward”
Amidst the friendly competition, Brodie and Glen both stated that they really were on the same team with a goal of ending childhood cancer.
“The more we push each other to raise more money, the more we help the children” commented Glen. “And that's what it's all about.”
To achieve his leader board status, Brodie and his family fundraise with their community year-round to raise awareness and funds for the kids of St. Jude.
One way Brodie has encouraged all the kids at his school to get involved is by asking them to “bury the motorcycle” through penny wars. Brodie placed a toy motorcycle into a jar and asked his classmates to drop change in the jar covering the motorcycle with donations for St. Jude.
“Every penny counts. No matter what someone can give, it all matters. When you donate, that’s helping a St. Jude family, who doesn’t have to worry about hospital bills. They can focus on saving their kid’s life. Our donations make that possible.”
On that occasion, Brodie and his classmates raised over $500, one penny at a time.
“I like that I’m able to help out the kids of St. Jude. I wake up every day and do all sorts of average things. They wake up in the hospital. I’m grateful for what I have, and I love going to the St. Jude events. We get to meet people that are part of the St. Jude community and get to help spread awareness for the mission.”
Brodie’s parents, Angie and Joe, share Brodie’s passion for St. Jude and activate their employers and network of family and friends to continue to support Brodie’s commitment.
“It’s really cool to have my parents’ support. It shows that they care — and I knew that they would. If I was a patient at St. Jude, they’d want people to donate to help me.”
The family traveled to Memphis, home of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, last year to celebrate Christmas and Brodie’s birthday. Instead of toys, Brodie asked for donations to the hospital and purchased toys for the patients.
“Being at St. Jude was an eye-opener. Walking up to the hospital seeing what the money I have raised is doing, it gives me even more motivation. I can’t wait to one day tour the hospital.”
Brodie hopes to continue to follow in Ryan Dungey’s footsteps of one day going pro in motocross. Until then, he will continue to practice and share the story of St. Jude.
“A lot of the motocross community really cares about St. Jude. Never be afraid to ask for donations, especially if you are new to fundraising. Because every penny counts.”
