Saxton on his way to setting world record with his cancer support bike ride through Delaware

FENWICK, Del. – One Delaware man rode his bike through the entire state of Delaware on Sunday, and it was all for a good cause. Sean Saxton took on the 146-mile bike challenge from the top of Delaware, all the way to the Delaware, Maryland state line in Fenwick. “We are just amazed he could accomplish anything he has so many high goals and he just goes for it,” says Sean’s mother, Cindy Saxton.

We’re told Sean isn’t just riding a bike for fun either, he’s helping raise money for cancer research. “We had a lot of people along the course throughout the state of Delaware which again gets my adrenaline going and just kind of carried us all through,” says Sean. His mother Cindy adds, “The support out here from everyone was so amazing. So many people out cheering him on it just I think encouraged him to just keep going faster and faster.”

Nicole Pickles, Executive Director with Cancer Support Community Delaware tells 47 ABC, normally they see 1,100 to 1,200 people and in the last 18 months, they saw 15,000 people and have provided 30,000 visits to the state of Delaware. Pickles says, this year showed just how much their services are needed. “So the mental anxiety and the depression that the pandemic has brought to our cancer patients caregivers and families in Delaware is tremendous, and the money that we raise goes directly towards bottom line and Kent and Sussex County,” says Pickles.

Sean tells us, he lost his aunt to cancer back in 2018, the woman who supported him his whole life and even bought him his first carbon fiber bike. In his efforts on Sunday, Sean was able to honor her.

However, Sean tells us he wasn’t just raising money for cancer research and honoring his late aunt, he was also trying to set a world record. “I couldn’t do it without all my crew and my parents and all my supporters and everyone that has donated so I want to deliver on the day and do it for them,” says Sean.

After cutting off almost 53 minutes since last year’s challenge, officials joined the ride to officially time Sean, who cycled from top to bottom in 7 hours, 4 minutes, and 30 seconds. “Now this year that we have a racing season and things are getting back open, I just think the energy was there and now with this record I think there’s a lot more to build up from last year and kind of build upon it and we’ll see where this goes,” says Sean.

Now he also tells us, he not only has a chance of getting his name in the books, he’s making his aunt proud. “I know my sister is smiling down and looking down from heaven just so proud of him, he did this for her,” says Cindy. She adds, “It’s just such an amazing feeling that he could do something like this because not very many people can. He just has such big dreams we’re just so proud of him.”

Sean and those with cancer support community Delaware say, this year is just the beginning. Through all of their efforts, they want this event to grow, involve more cyclists, and continue the fight against cancer. “During this time, it gives a lot of people a lot of hope and a lot of courage and a lot of courage and we saw that today,” say Pickles. Sean adds, “I’m just very blessed and happy, so let’s keep it rolling.”

Sean and his team also tell 47 ABC, it’ll be about two weeks before he knows if he set the world record for the cross state cycling record.

To find out more about Cancer Support Community Delaware and other efforts Sean does, just visit their website.