Trumbull mom and 9-year-old son beat cancer, prepare for 10 mile Closer to Free ride

In 2024, Jacqueline was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Just two months later, her 9-year-old son, Owen, was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. They both received treatment at Smilow Cancer Hospital and were supported by Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital.

Now, they’re not just survivors, they’re riding together in this year’s Closer to Free Ride.   

For Jacqueline, the ride carries an especially powerful meaning. In 2024, while undergoing chemotherapy, she watched from the sidelines as friends and family rode in her honor. In 2025, she returned as a survivor. And this year, she’ll ride alongside her two boys, with Owen joining her for his very first ride in a full-circle moment.

Watch their story: HERE