ALYN Hospital's Wheels of Love Bike Ride Brings Healing and Hope
The annual Wheels of Love charity bike ride concludes at ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem, uniting hundreds of cyclists worldwide to support pediatric rehabilitation and honor inspiring young patients.
The 27th annual Wheels of Love charity bike ride, organized by the ALYN Hospital Rehabilitation Foundation in Jerusalem, kicked off on Sunday in Eilat. The four-day event concludes on Thursday at ALYN Hospital, drawing hundreds of cyclists from Israel and around the world to raise vital funds for the institution, which is Israel's only specialized pediatric rehabilitation center.
Among the participants is Meir Bruder, a volunteer with the Fast and Brave therapeutic cycling group at ALYN. Bruder's connection to the program was forged in the wake of the October 7 attacks. As a legal advisor for the Ministry of Health, he was part of the dedicated team at the Abu Kabir National Center for Forensic Medicine, where the grim task of identifying victims of the massacre took place.
"I witnessed harrowing scenes and the absolute embodiment of evil," Bruder shares, noting that the trauma continues to impact him. "I was in a very dark place and felt I desperately needed to breathe. I found that breath through an activity that introduced me to a different kind of challenge." Every Monday, Bruder volunteered with the children at ALYN, supporting young patients undergoing intensive physical rehabilitation.
A Journey from Darkness to Light
Despite facing personal and professional hardships over the past three years, Bruder made it a priority never to miss a training session. The annual Wheels of Love ride aims to support ALYN's comprehensive care programs. At the conclusion of the event, cyclists from across the globe receive medals from hospitalized children in a moving ceremony.
"When you arrive at a place where children face severe physical limitations, yet you watch them push through adversity to conquer steep hills and ride long distances, it gives you immense strength," Bruder reflects. "These children teach you that the sky is the limit. Moving from the darkest place imaginable to a space filled with light and goodness has been transformative."
