In memory of her Forever bloom
IN HONOR OF EMMA
IN HONOR OF EMMA
Meet Emma
Emma Charlotte was a spunky, vibrant, and deeply loving four-year-old girl. She had a gift for lighting up every room she walked into—and made it her personal mission to have everyone laughing by the time she left. Almost always dressed in whichever Disney princess costume was closest, Emma was the true life of the party.
We lived a slow, intentional life in sunny Oceanside, California. our days filled with beach trips, hiking, kayaking in the harbor, spontaneous trips to Disneyland or the zoo, and winding coastal drives that led to tent camping in Yosemite. It was just Emma and me, side by side. Our own little world—full of joy, wonder, and love.
THe FIGHT
Emma was diagnosed with cancer just shy of her 4th birthday. In an instant, our sunny days turned into hospital rooms, scans, and the kind of conversations no parent should ever have to face. But even through the fear and chaos, Emma stayed Emma—bright, brave, and endlessly kind. She faced every MRI, every needle, every round of chemo with a strength far beyond her years.
There were good days—days when we were allowed to leave the hospital to go to the annual county fair, days when friends were allowed to come visit and even the day we got to celebrate her fourth birthday in our own home. There were even moments we believed we were on the other side of it. But cancer has a way of rewriting stories, even the ones told with so much love and fight.
The bad days came quickly. The kind where time blurs, and all you can do is hold your child close. Watching Emma’s light dim while she fought so hard was the greatest heartbreak of my life. She passed away just after turning four, wrapped in love and surrounded by the people who adored her.
Emma’s battle with cancer was unfair and brutal—but she met every moment with grace and grit. She taught me what true courage looks like. And while cancer took her life, it could never take her spirit.
IN loving memory
Emma’s story isn’t just ours—it’s part of a much bigger and more devastating reality. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States, yet it receives only a fraction of federal cancer research funding. That needs to change.
In Emma’s memory, we’re sharing not just her light, but the truth about pediatric cancer—because awareness leads to action, and action leads to hope.
Every day, 43 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer
1 in 5 of them lose their battle
Of those who win their battle, over 95% will face long-term health effects from the very treatments that saved them
Only 4% of federal cancer research funding goes toward all of pediatric cancer. Just 4%.
Our children, the future, deserve more than that.
Emma fought with everything she had, and she deserved better—just like the thousands of kids still fighting today. This fundraiser, and this beer, are about honoring Emma, but they’re also about demanding better for the next child, the next family, the next fight.
Because love like Emma’s doesn’t disappear. It grows. It blooms. It becomes action.
HELP US RAISE FUNDS!
Save the date for year two!
Saturday, 9/19/26
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Our Mission
forever bloom is emma’s legacy. her strength and endurance through treatment fuel our efforts for good. We raise money to help support the children and families in our local community going through the same battle she faced, and to ensure we continue to fund pediatric cancer research.
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Our event
Join us on Saturday, September 19th, 2026 for a day filled with friends and loved ones celebrating the life and memory of our beloved, Emma.
A pre-event bike ride departs the brewery at 10am, and taproom doors open at noon. Food, live music, and silent auction anchor our celebration of life throughout the afternoon, so please save the date and help us raise money for pediatric cancer research and support programs.
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our give back
Your generosity stays in our local community!
All net proceeds will be donated to Pediatric Oncology at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. In partnership with Lurie Children's, they offer specialized oncology services to young patients of all ages, and as a part of the Children's Oncology research Group, NMCDH patients get access to the latest in clinical trials and treatment methods.
Single rider registration; includes group ride, a beer ticket, and two raffle tickets. Light snacks & coffee provided pre-ride.
There will be two routes (Bloom & Blossom) to choose from, day of the ride.
BLOOM ROUTE - https://www.strava.com/routes/3514637134726796616
34-Mile Route: This route is intended for more experienced riders and will naturally split into two groups based on pace:
● A Group: Faster pace, averaging 17–20 mph
● B Group: More social/“party pace,” averaging 13–15 mph
We’ll support each other along the way, but this route is not designed for long waits for riders to catch up. There’s no need to decide which group you’ll ride with ahead of time—we’ll sort that out naturally once we’re rolling. This will be a multi-surface ride covering road, crushed limestone, and a short section of non-technical single track.
BLOSSOM ROUTE - https://www.strava.com/routes/3514637134738310472
10-Mile Route: Designed for more casual riders, this route averages 9–10 mph over approximately 10 miles. This ride is designed to be more “family-friendly” and will be a multi-surface ride covering road and crushed limestone. Please note that it does cross a few main roads, so everyone should stay alert and ride safely through those intersections.
** Please note that you will not receive a physical ticket. Check in will begin at 8:30am on Saturday, September 19th 2026. Wheels up at 9:30am!
Hub House is the official sponsor of the Forever Bloom charity ride and will be on site for any bike repair needs or assistance.
Single rider registration; includes group ride, a beer ticket, and two raffle tickets. Light snacks & coffee provided pre-ride.
There will be two routes (Bloom & Blossom) to choose from, day of the ride.
BLOOM ROUTE - https://www.strava.com/routes/3514637134726796616
34-Mile Route: This route is intended for more experienced riders and will naturally split into two groups based on pace:
● A Group: Faster pace, averaging 17–20 mph
● B Group: More social/“party pace,” averaging 13–15 mph
We’ll support each other along the way, but this route is not designed for long waits for riders to catch up. There’s no need to decide which group you’ll ride with ahead of time—we’ll sort that out naturally once we’re rolling. This will be a multi-surface ride covering road, crushed limestone, and a short section of non-technical single track.
BLOSSOM ROUTE - https://www.strava.com/routes/3514637134738310472
10-Mile Route: Designed for more casual riders, this route averages 9–10 mph over approximately 10 miles. This ride is designed to be more “family-friendly” and will be a multi-surface ride covering road and crushed limestone. Please note that it does cross a few main roads, so everyone should stay alert and ride safely through those intersections.
** Please note that you will not receive a physical ticket. Check in will begin at 8:30am on Saturday, September 19th 2026. Wheels up at 9:30am!
Hub House is the official sponsor of the Forever Bloom charity ride and will be on site for any bike repair needs or assistance.
join the fight!
