It was at this time that the married couple received some very shocking and unwanted news regarding their toddler son, James.

According to Brice, “James came down with a fever that just would not quit. After what would be nearly two weeks of questions with no answers, irregular tests, blood transfusions, meetings with the infectious disease team, hematologists, oncologists and rounds of nurses – the young toddler received an official diagnosis of having B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with severe Myelofibrosis.”

However, Brice said that his son is a trooper and has taken everything with a grain of salt.

“Leukemia is a long haul. James is unwillingly enrolled in two and a half years of chemo (therapy) infusions, blood draws, oral medication and steroids. Fortunately, it’s a well-established and pretty predictable treatment plan, and he still has his adventurous personality and smile,” he said.

From left, Brice Dieter and his son James Dieter are pictured at the hospital prior to one of James’s pediatric cancer treatments in 2024. James suffers from B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with severe Myelofibrosis and Brice is riding in the Empire State Ride to raise funds to help combat pediatric cancer. Submitted photo

However, for the blended, bi-national family, sitting back and just doing the prescribed medical treatment plan for James has its positive sides: the American (Brice) and Canadian (Amanda) are throwing their weight behind a fundraiser designed to give cancer a punch right back in its ugly face.

“It has been my mission to encourage and equip others to “Punch Fear in the Face,” said Dieter. “The truth is, cancer isn’t going away, but our ability to triumph over its effects is something I want to be a part of; I have decided to join in the Empire State Ride; a 500 plus mile cycling journey from New York City to Niagara Falls. I will be punching fear in the face as I learn how to push my body to a physical extreme and raise money to find new ways to treat and cure cancer.”

According to empirestateride.com, the traditional Empire State Ride route covers between 60 and 100 miles each day from Staten Island to Niagara Falls. Each day’s route will vary with the shortest ride day being approximately 60 miles and the longest day covering 100 miles. Officials said riders can anticipate cycling for an average of seven hours each day with rest stops every 20 miles. Additionally, during the ride event officials stated that the following will be provided for racers no-hassle tent camping with a tent, chair, air mattress, clean towels and daily delivery of luggage to camp each day; shower truck, restrooms, bike truck and mechanics support; a central location for rider information, that has beverages, snacks, first-aid supplies, sunscreen and cue sheets; catered breakfast and dinner with consideration for dietary restrictions; charging stations for devices; nightly mission-based programs; hammocks and lawn games; wellness support, including first-aid and physical therapists.

Dieter said that for every dollar that he raises for Roswell Park, the organization can leverage the funding and double, triple, quadruple, and multiply each dollar by $20 or more.

“For every dollar I raise for the Empire State Ride, Roswell Park can leverage an additional $23 from external grants to bolster cancer research. Your impact goes a long way,” he said. “There are no small gifts because even $5 has the impact of $115.”

The National Cancer Institute reported in 2024 that in the United States, an estimated 9,620 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed among children from birth to 14 years, and about 1,040 children are expected to die from the disease. Although cancer death rates for this age group have declined by 70 percent from 1970 through 2020, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children. The most common types of cancer diagnosed in children ages zero to 14 years are leukemias, brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and lymphomas.

Additionally, the types of cancers that occur in children are often different from the types that occur in adults. The most common childhood cancers are listed here from most frequently occurring to least frequently found in children.

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children. The most common types of leukemia in children are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML.); brain and spinal cord tumors are the second most common cancer in children. There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors, in children, most brain tumors start in the lower parts of the brain, such as the cerebellum; Neuroblastoma, is a cancer of immature nerve cells. It is the most common cancer in babies. Sometimes this cancer develops before birth and might be found during an ultrasound. It is most common for babies and young children under five- years old; Wilms Tumor, (also called nephroblastoma) starts in one or both kidneys. It is most often found in children about three to four years old. The first sign is usually swelling or a lump in the belly (abdomen). Sometimes it can also cause fever, pain, nausea, poor appetite, or other symptoms; Lymphoma starts in immune system cells called lymphocytes. It is usually found first in the lymph nodes, or sometimes in the tonsils or thymus. Symptoms depend on where they start and can include weight loss, fever, sweats, tiredness (fatigue), or lumps around the neck, armpit, or groin and rhabdomyosarcoma, (RMS) can develop almost anywhere in the body, but the most common areas are the head, neck, bladder, reproductive organs, arms, legs, chest, or belly. Depending on where it is, rhabdomyosarcoma can cause pain, swelling, a lump, or other symptoms.

Brice said that he’s raised about $4,000 of his $10,000 goal. For more information email bricedieter@gmail.com. To donate visit give.roswellpark.org/goto/Punch-Fear.