On April 21st, Steve was doing what he loves best, biking, then suddenly his life was in danger. He slammed into a car at a very high speed and unresponsive after the accident. He has suffered significant trauma to his brain. He fractured his neck, back and shoulder. He punctured both of his lungs, suffered a bleeding liver laceration and now has a blood clot in his leg. He is currently at Stanford Hospital in a coma that doctors expect him to come out of in weeks to months.
The financial burden of this tragedy is just one of the many challenges facing the Pelaez family. Fortunately, it is one that we can come together as a community and attempt to lessen the pain. Many people have reached out with offers to contribute so this site has been set up as a response to the generous outpouring of support that is surrounding Steve and his family. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated, as it will allow the family to focus their energies on healing Steve
For updates on his condition, please check in with his Caring Bridge site. www.caringbridge.org/visit/stevepelaez
Help spread the word!
(Copied from https://www.gofundme.com/steve-pelaez-medical-fund)
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As many of you know our friend Steve Pelaez was involved in a serious cycling accident on April 21, 2017. He's still fighting for his life in the Stanford ICU. Now, more than ever, he and his family need our support.
The accident has had a much bigger impact on me than I would have anticipated. I realize it's because of our close friendship, and he, like me has a family with young kids....I could have easily been him that morning. Life is so precious and these things can happen so quickly. We live in a time and society where it's easy to become distracted, decreasing our chances of getting to our destination safely. The accident drove home to me the importance of always being present, focused and obeying the rules of the road, whether when riding a bike or driving a car.
I thought to myself, 'is there anything I can do in honor of Steve, his amazing wife Jenna Miller Pelaez and their kids, that will keep these important factors at the forefront of my mind? Something that can bring all of Steve's friends' love and energy together to support them?'. The result is the symbol/photo of this post.
With the help of my friend (and graphic designer), Peter Smith, I had 1000 of these symbols produced as a 1.25'x1.25' sticker. I call it the 'Super Steve sticker'. The yellow sun, three stars and color scheme are from the Philippines flag, his home country. The sun symbolizes unity and freedom...very relevant to what Steve and his family need now, but also what cycling means to him and the surrounding community. The three stars surrounding the 'S' represent his wife and two kids, as they are closest to him. The 'S' is for Steve (of course), safety, support, and spirit, and is a play on the Superman logo. It's to represent not only the superpowers of the Steve we know and love, but also all of the superhero powers those surrounding him, and those who don't know him, have the ability to possess. We can all make a difference.
The rays of light from the sun are meant to connect all of us. My hope is that the sticker is placed somewhere as a reminder to always be present, focused and safe. (I put one on the top tube of my bike and the center console of my car.) The more stickers out there, the stronger our support and awareness.
Some questions you may want to ask:
1. How do you get a sticker(s)?
2. How is Steve and his family doing?
3. Is there anything else I can do?
Answers:
1. I'm planning to drop them off at some local businesses in Marin this afternoon and tomorrow morning. I want to make sure they are there before I announce the locations. Keep an eye on this post, or simply make a quick comment like 'following' or 'I am a superhero' and you will be alerted when I post a comment tomorrow that includes the locations.
2. Visit their CaringBridge site for the most recent updates: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/stevepelaez
3. Share this post on your timeline if you feel appropriate to make others aware. Additionally, it's obvious the medical bills and other financial requirements of this accident are going to be hefty. Any contribution you can afford will be greatly appreciated via their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/steve-pelaez-medical-fund
Are you a superhero? I believe and know 100% you have the power to be one. It's a choice...will you join me? #iamaStevesuperhero #iamasuperhero
Dana Williams
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Some of you knows him, some might be not, Steve Pelaez is a true Pinoy Power who still fighting for his life, he got into accident while riding his bike. Please help in any amount if you can and include him in your prayer.
Thanks.
Mimi Rozel Tupaz
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So who is Steve Pelaez? I believe there's a few of you who still remembers this man. He raced for the Philippines in the late 2000 during the Southeast Asian Games and probably the Asian Games also. He also raced on a few occasions at UCI Elite Track World Cup events. The photo below shows him with Philippine Superstar Victor Espiritu being awarded Certificates of Appreciation from Adobo Velo Fil-Am Cycling Club President Jesse Santamaria after all the racing both did at 2008 UCI Elite Track World Cup. Steve also raced on another UCI Elite Track World Cup event in Copenhagen, Denmark a few months after.
Besides racing for the Philippines, he also had numerous local rides and races in Northern California, sharing some unfortunate crashes and injuries but this previous one is just too much to bear. He is known also at Hellyer Velodrome in San Jose, California for his track racing strengths and tactics. He also raced Northern California Nevada Cycling Association (NCNCA) State Championships and also United States Cycling Association's (USAC) Elite National events. Here he is with Pinoy Pride Wilson Blas during one of the track events in Los Angeles.
Here's one of the collections he wanted for my keepsake after he earned this bronze medal from the finals of the Scratch Race of 2011 Elite Track National Championships, held at Los Angeles' Velodrome now called Velo Sports Center.
I think it's time to return the favor for his contributions to California Cycling and especially to Philippine Cycling and help him and his family as much as we could. Yes, that's him, our profile pic at Pinoy Fixie's Facebook Group and Page.
Hopefully this helped us get to know him better and why he and his family needs your help now. You can check Jenna's post in Facebook for more details of the accident.
Dana mailed me 25 Super Steve stickers for distribution. Please ask me for one if you get a chance. You know where to find me and message if needed. Proudly display this sticker on your bike, your helmet, or where ever you can show it. If you're not close by, we can make arrangements with Dana to request more stickers and have it mailed it out to someone who can be in charge of distributing them. Just let me know.
Dana mailed me 25 Super Steve stickers for distribution. Please ask me for one if you get a chance. You know where to find me and message if needed. Proudly display this sticker on your bike, your helmet, or where ever you can show it. If you're not close by, we can make arrangements with Dana to request more stickers and have it mailed it out to someone who can be in charge of distributing them. Just let me know.
Maraming salamat.
Arden Arindaeng
