A Toms River mom helped raise money for childhood cancer, all while sitting on a stationary bike.

Christine Doviak pedaled on a stationary bike for 24 hours to help raise money for children fighting cancer. She said that if children are going through chemotherapy on a regular basis, she can sit on a bike for 24 hours to raise money for them.

“Our daughter Carina, when she was 8 years old, she was diagnosed with leukemia. And that’s just something as a parent you never expect to hear – that your child has cancer,” Doviak says.

Carina was the inspiration for Doviak to participate in the Infinite Love 24-hour Pedal-thon.

“There was no not doing it for me. There was no option of ‘Will I make the 24 hours?’ I just did it. It was mind over matter,” she says.

Carina was diagnosed in December 2017 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She is in remission now and has a positive outlook on life.

“Because of all the good things that happened. I didn’t really focus on the bad things, because that’s kind of how you have to be – think positive,” Carina says.

Doviak was not alone during the bike-a-thon. Carina and her sister Gia were both there for the ride cheering on their mom. And two hours away in Connecticut was a dad who lost his little girl to cancer who also participated. Doviak and Jim McAffery crossed the finish line together.

They have never met, but bonded over a common experience and the Invite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer organization.

“It was just incredible to have the comradery throughout the ride and I feel like we got through it together,” Doviak says.

Doviak and McAffery rode from 9:30 a.m. Saturday to 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Their ride has raised about $85,000. The goal is $100,000 and they are still taking in donations.