There’s a local bike bandit who may be in possession of more than just your average bicycle. Over the last week, a one-of -a-kind mountain bike with a history of helping cancer patients was stolen from inside a Wichita garage.

The bike was stolen from a group who calls themselves TNT, or “team in training”. They’re training for a 100-mile bike ride and fundraiser this summer. The Fundraiser will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Kevin O’Connor is a Sedgwick County Deputy District Attorney; he’s also a cancer survivor and knows others facing the battle. This year, he was given the honor of riding a mountain bike that’s known as the “hero bike”. However just this last week, the bike was stolen. Whoever took it is completely unaware of the bike’s history.

With the bike came specific instructions that it be used to raise awareness and funds to fight leukemia and lymphoma. Over the years, riders have raised more than $25,000 on this bike alone. To ride it is a very special honor.

An anonymous donor had already replaced the missing hero bike, but nobody can replace the history or emotions that go with the stolen bike. Teammates say they’d love to have the bike back, but more than anything they want more riders to join their cause, and give, because that is what the bike was all about.

For more information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, go to www.lls.org