Emily Progin, Content Manager
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Release: Immediate
LIFE AFTER THE GIFT OF MOTION: MEET 8-YEAR-OLD ANGELO
Why Family Is Still Fundraising After Flyers Adaptive Bike Surprise
WILMINGTON, DE—On June 15, the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Association and the nonprofit Help Hope Live gifted a customized adaptive bike to 8-year-old Angelo Murphy, who is living with multiple complex medical diagnoses. While the bike is a life-changing gift for Angelo, his family has had to continue to fundraise with the nonprofit for critical medical costs insurance doesn’t cover.
The community has raised over $2,300 since 2025. Donations are tax deductible at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/25409/
Angelo is living with multiple complex medical diagnoses, including cerebral palsy and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. He uses a wheelchair for mobility.
He’s come a long way since he was born, weighing less than 2 pounds. “Angelo is thriving,” explained grandmother and legal guardian Heather Holveck. “He makes wonderful daily progress with an assistive communication device, some verbal words, and sign language. He brings endless joy to our family. He is smart, energetic, loving, and determined.”
Like many children with disabilities, Angelo is unable to ride a traditional bike. That makes fresh air, outdoor play, and time with his community harder to access safely.
All that changed on June 15 when the Flyers Alumni and Help Hope Live presented Angelo’s family with a Flyers-themed Freedom Concepts adaptive bike during the Flyers Alumni Charity Classic in Wilmington.
Customized bikes for kids like Angelo can easily exceed $5,000, and they are not covered by insurance despite their proven therapeutic value.
Captured on video, Angelo’s bike surprise was a moving moment for all present: “Seeing the joy on his face as he experienced this new freedom was a moment our family will never forget”: https://youtu.be/DhKXIZaTcCk?si=NheZ04cQW94kNT1I
Heather says that in addition to enabling the simple joys of childhood, the bike “will help him improve his leg strength and allow him to use his legs more.”
Angelo will enjoy a healthier and brighter future with his new wheels. However, the family is still forced to fundraise with Help Hope Live due to the wide range of medical costs and related expenses that insurance will not fully cover.
Totaling more than $25,000 out of pocket, these critical costs include specialized medical and mobility equipment and ongoing therapies that can drastically change Angelo’s life.
Angelo and family have lived in Wilmington for the past 7 years. Angelo receives his specialized medical care and therapies from Nemours and receives speech, occupational, and physical therapy from Delaware public schools Special Education Services, including adaptive technology and assistive communication support.
The fundraising campaign in Angelo’s honor is more important now than ever as he prepares for a major orthopedic surgery. Following the procedure, he will require extensive, months-long rehabilitation, specialized physical therapy, and intensive recovery support to help regain his mobility and hip alignment.
Donations are tax deductible at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/25409/
Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be administered by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $194 million to pay patient expenses, assisting more than 25,000 patient families. ###
