‘Literally the coolest thing’: Motorcycle rally planned to celebrate 2-year-old cancer survivor

Oliver Olinger loves motorcycles, so dozens of bikers will rally and take the 2½-year-old on a ride from Sycamore to St. Charles to give him a one-of-a-kind experience.

Oliver was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer, on his first birthday and spent the next eight months living in hospitals.

After five rounds of chemotherapy, 75 blood transfusions and countless other treatments, Oliver went into remission and came home June 28, 2024.

On Sunday, June 22, at least 50 motorcycles will meet outside the Sycamore Public Library at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate Oliver and ride to support him in his battle. The ride will take off at noon.

The ride will be escorted down Route 64 by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with a motorcycle is welcome to join. Participants should arrive by 11:30 a.m.

Oliver and one of his parents will ride in a sidecar from Sycamore to the St. Charles Motorcycle Museum, where owner Andy Koczwara will take the family on a private tour.

The Olinger family lives in Sycamore. Oliver’s mother, Sami, is from that town. His father Nathan is from St. Charles.

Sami Olinger said Oliver always has been amazed by loud cars and motorcycles, even before he could talk. Now, she said, pointing out “bikes” when they go by is his favorite thing.

The event was organized by St. Charles resident Shawn Campbell, who has followed Oliver’s story through social media.

Although Campbell doesn’t have a personal connection to the family, she was moved by Oliver’s story and felt a celebration was in order. Campbell connected with Sami Olinger to organize the event, but she has yet to meet the Olinger family face to face.

“I’ve never met Oliver. I just want to give him a hug because I cried so hard connecting with his story,” Campbell said.

Campbell was assisted by local biker safety advocate Chris Hansen.

Hansen is president of the DuKane Chapter of ABATE of Illinois (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) and said getting his fellow bikers together was easy.

“It’s really not that hard to get bikers to turn out to help a kid,” Hansen said. “Especially when it’s a younger child that’s obsessed with motorcycles. That’s awesome because usually they’re obsessed with video games.”

Hansen said that although his organization has organized several fundraiser events, this rally won’t be collecting donations.

“This is just for him to have a day where he doesn’t have to worry about anything and he gets to be around motorcycles,” Hansen said.

Sami Olinger said she always is amazed by the support her family receives from the community, especially from people she has never met.

“It’s literally the coolest thing to see how much people care and want to help. I think about it every day,” she said. “I’m just excited to celebrate Oliver and see the look on his face when he gets to see all the motorcycles.”