Oli Trelenberg cycles for hope: 4,500 km for people with cancer!

Oli Trelenberg cycles for hope: 4,500 km for people with cancer!

An impressive example of commitment and perseverance can be seen in the person of Oliver Trelenberg from Hagen. The 57-year-old cyclist has committed himself to a very special mission: He puts his passion for cycling at the service of people suffering from cancer. He has already covered an incredible 4,500 kilometers on his fundraising tour through Germany, and his ambitious goal is to end his journey in Hagen on August 7th in order to collect more donations by then.

On June 22, 2025, Trelenberg made a stopover in Freising. On this occasion he was welcomed by Mayor Eva Bönig and oncologist Dr. Christoph von Schilling presented a check for 300 euros. These donations will benefit those struggling with the fight against cancer - an issue that is particularly close to Trelenberg's heart. Every year, around 500,000 people in Germany are diagnosed with cancer, and almost every second German is affected in the course of their life. Over 200,000 people die from this disease every year, which makes Trelenberg's commitment all the more important, as WDR reports.

The personal story

Oliver Trelenberg has an eventful past behind him. Born in Schwerte in 1965, he struggled with alcoholism and violence until 2003. His turning point came when he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2013. After long treatments, he was able to beat the cancer and decided to reintegrate cycling into his life to sort out his thoughts and strengthen his body and mind.

Despite the serious health problems he suffers from cancer, such as shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing, he does not allow himself to be discouraged. Trelenberg has learned to manage his symptoms by slowing down and paying attention to his breathing. He plans his routes without a navigation system, just with traditional maps, and has developed a preference for the Ammer-Amper cycle path, which not only brings him joy but also gives him new impressions.

The goal of the fundraising tour

To date, Trelenberg has collected over 70,000 euros for people with cancer. This year, a large part of these donations will go to the Cologne association “Wünschdirwas”, which fulfills the wishes of sick children. On his website oli-radelt.de He regularly provides information about his planned routes and the small and large successes of his tours. The German Cancer Aid, which Trelenberg supports, is financed exclusively through donations from the public and has been committed to cancer research and supporting people with cancer in Germany for more than 50 years. It rejects any funding from pharmaceutical companies and other industries in order to be able to act independently, as Krebshilfe explains.

Despite all the challenges he faces, Oliver Trelenberg has the unshakable will to continue his fundraising tour as long as his health allows. “I’ll keep driving until I can’t go anymore,” he says determinedly. His story shows that even after difficult fates, you can get up again and help others. It's an inspiring message that goes far beyond the boundaries of cycling.