Newtown’s Jeremy Estes and friend Travis Tietjen will depart from and return to Dickinson Park as part of what stands to be a challenging, nearly seven-hour, 100-mile bike loop that will take the cyclists up into scenic Litchfield County on Saturday, April 22.

While this may seem like a lot to undertake, that is the idea and, Estes points out, it is meant to bring attention to what someone very special in town is facing at a young age.

Leah Mangino, 11, and a Middlegate Elementary School classmate of Estes’ daughter, Allison, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in early March. Estes is optimistic that this cycling outing will bring attention to Leah and a Go Fund Me page, designed to assist the family, organized by Erica Venezia.

“This devastating diagnosis has come as a shock to Leah and her family, who are now facing an uncertain future,” according to the summary on the Go Fund Me Page, “Help Leah Mangino Overcome Leukemia.”

“It’s not easy to do what she’s doing. So we didn’t want to make this easy for us, and hopefully gain some extra attention,” said Estes, adding that he is hoping this proves to be an “impactful journey.”

The ride is planned rain or shine. Estes — who does sales for Merck Corporation — and Tietjen — who owns Gardenfolk, an organic gardening business in town — generally try to ride 100 miles per week, around Newtown and in surrounding communities. Estes, 43, has done rides for good causes, including supporting Dylan’s Wings of Change.

The longest ride he has taken on was a 165-miler from the Flag Pole to Vermont. The ride will feature a cumulative elevation gain of about 8,534 feet, including an approximate 1,000 climb in one of the course’s most hilly sections.

Each mile, Estes hopes, will go toward extra attention for Mangino and her family, including her siblings Jason and Carly, and parents Karen and Ryan. Estes said Paul Ribeiro will accompany them to provide support with such things as extra water and gear in event of a flat, for example, and will live stream the ride to keep the word out about the event.

“It’s definitely a sport that brings people together from all walks of life,” Estes said of cycling.

The reason Dickinson Park serves as the starting and end point of this journey leads us to another significant aspect of Leah’s life. Her brother, Jason, has special needs — including cognitive delay and gross motor delay.

A couple of years ago, Leah, recognizing that there was a need for much more playground equipment for her brother and others with special needs, wrote to State Senator Tony Hwang (Fairfield), First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, and The Bee advocating for special needs equipment for her brother and other children with special needs.

“She thought, how can I change this and make it better for him and people like him,” Estes said. “She’s a good kid. It shows what kind of person she is.”

Leah’s grandfather, Walter Schweikert, who has long been an active member of the Lions Club, chaired a committee to raise money for the playground.

Parks and Recreation also contributed to the efforts, which totaled close to $200,000 and came to fruition in June of 2022 when a ribbon-cutting celebrated the achievement that allows Jason and others who previously had significantly limited playground options in town many more opportunities to join in the fun.

“We go frequently because it’s something all of my children can use in different ways,” Karen said.

“It’s so meaningful to Leah,” Estes said of the reason the ride will depart from and return to Dickinson Park. The cyclists will leave at 9 am and ask guests who want to be there for the start to arrive no later than 8:15 am since guest speakers will share their thoughts at 8:30.

Rosenthal, Hwang, and Middlegate School Principal Chris Geissler plan to be there, Estes said.

Compassionate Girl

Leah has been knitting since December, her mom said. Born three months premature, she has a soft spot for and is knitting hats for babies in the Danbury Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Karen said her daughter recognizes that everybody has different needs. “We are so proud of Leah,” she added. “She’s very sweet, very compassionate.”

Leah is a lover of animals, including her dog, and enjoys cooking. Like many children she enjoys riding her bike.

Between Jason’s appointments at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford and Leah’s visits to Yale New Haven Hospital, “it’s a lot,” Karen acknowledged.

According to the Go Fund Me page: “Our goal is to raise enough money to help Leah and her family cover the cost of her medical expenses and treatments. As she begins this difficult journey, she will need all the support she can get. Your donations will go directly towards Leah’s medical expenses, including hospital stays, chemotherapy, and other treatments. It will also help her family cover the cost of living expenses, such as mortgage, utilities, and transportation.”

Karen had to take leave time from work to care for her children. Estes noted that the family has much more to deal with than it should and helping out with the expenses is the goal.

“The intent is just to make that go away as a concern,” Estes said.

Leah’s treatment has just been ramped up from once weekly to almost daily.

According to an April 8 update on the Go Fund Me page: “Phase 1 was a success! Leah’s leukemia is in remission. Now comes the fight to keep it there as she starts phase 2 of increased chemo to stop any new mutations from forming. One mountain down, two to go. We are so proud of our girl and ready to take on phase two. Keep the prayers coming as this round is expected to be tough.”

And that is why Estes and Tietjen are doing what they can to help.

“I am so overwhelmed by the generosity from Jeremy, from his family, from the whole town. It’s really been a bright spot on this whole situation we’re in,” Karen said.

Those interested in learning more or making a donation can web search GoFundMe and Mangino.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.