Local girl Grand Marshall for Pedal the Cause

7 months, 3 weeks ago By Denise Donley

One local little girl is getting the opportunity of a lifetime by taking part in the Pedal the Cause fundraiser.

The third annual Pedal the Cause will be held October 7th on the streets of downtown St. Louis, where bicycle riders will commit to ride for cancer research.

Six-year old Sierra Miller of Quincy will get to take part in the fundraiser by being the Grand Marshall for the first race.

Sierra will get to ride her bike to lead the participants in the first race, work at check stations, attend the banquet and make appearances during other parts of the fundraiser where she'll promote cancer research.

You may be asking why Sierra is involved with so much with Pedal the Cause when she sounds like such an active girl. On October 7th, 2011, Sierra was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia called T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Her mother, Amanda Liesen-Miller says, "Her bone marrow doesn't produce mature white blood cells."

Sierra's grandmother, Cheryl Liesen, says "Sierra went through nine months of intense chemotherapy and, of course, suffered all of the side effects. She's now in maintenance for two years, takes chemo by mouth daily and goes to St. Louis once a month to see her doctor."

Sierra was picked as the face of the Chill Frozen Yogurt riding team for this year's race.

"These three girls chose Sierra to be who they ride for, and they are riding for her and getting employees and friends to ride in her honor to raise money," Miller said.

Chill, in St. Louis, also put Sierra's picture on the back of the menu.

Liesen says, "Sierra is a trooper. She's an inspiration to anyone that meets her. She has a really good outlook on things."

Sierra also achieved part of a future dream of hers when she was crowned the 2012 Little Miss Adams County Fair Queen in July. Liesen says, "Sierra has always wanted to be Miss Adams County, so her mother entered her in the Little Miss pageant."

Pedal the Cause is October 6-7 in downtown St. Louis. If you'd like to donate, visit pedalthecause.org.

All the money raised from Pedal the Cause will stay in St. Louis for cancer research at St. Louis Children's Hospital.