Oakland, CA – Three members of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis, the top professional cycling team in North America, will visit patients at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland on February 14 at 2:30 p.m.

Riders Matt Crane, Roman Kilun and John Murphy will be on-hand to visit with patients at the hospital. All three are part of the Health Net Presented by Maxxis squad for the Amgen Tour of California, which begins Sunday, February 17.

“Riding for a team sponsored by Health Net, part of our mission as cyclists and representatives of the sponsor is to promote health and wellness,” said Kilun, who lives on the Berkeley-Oakland border, just a few minutes from the hospital. “But with a situation like the kids at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, it’s a bit different. Many of them have serious illnesses that you really can do nothing to prevent.

“We know they go through a lot of difficulty in treatment and recovery,” he added. “As pro cyclists, we endure our share of pain and suffering on the bike, but it’s nothing compared to what these kids go through. They’re incredibly strong and brave. They give us a bit of perspective. And hopefully we can share stories with them and make them feel a bit better.”

About Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, CA
Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland is Northern California’s only freestanding and independent children’s hospital. Children’s is the leader in many pediatric specialties including neonatology, cardiology, neurosurgery and intensive care. The hospital is a designated Level 1 pediatric trauma center and has the largest pediatric critical care facility in the region. Children’s Hospital has 190 licensed beds, 201 hospital-based physicians in 31 specialties, more than 2,611 employees and an operating budget of $312 million. Children’s research arm, Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), has approximately 300 staff members and an annual budget of more than $49 million. The National Institutes of Health is CHORI’s primary funding source. The institute is a leader in translational blood diseases, developing new vaccines for infectious diseases and discovering new treatment protocols for previously fatal or debilitating conditions such as cancers, sickle cell disease and thalassemia, diabetes, asthma, HIV/AIDS, pediatric obesity, nutritional deficiencies, birth defects, hemophilia and cystic fibrosis.
Rider Information

Matt Crane
Matt is the youngest member of the Health Net Presented by Maxxis squad at 22 years old. He proved to be a tireless worker for the team in 2007, contributing to numerous stage and overall race wins. He’ll be looked upon to work for Health Net Presented by Maxxis team leaders Rory Sutherland and Phil Zajicek during the Amgen Tour of California.

John Murphy
Though just 24, John brought a lot of experience racing in Europe to the team in 2007. Using his big engine, he worked diligently to help the team succeed in 2007. He also found his way onto the podium on a number of occasions, including winning the time trial stage of the Tri Peaks Challenge. Look for John to put in a strong performance at the opening prologue of the Amgen Tour of California on Sunday, February 17.

Roman Kilun
Roman started off 2007 by passing the California BAR exam following the end of his studies at the prestigious Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. On the bike, he was instrumental in helping to deliver several stage race wins for the team last season, including the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic and the Tour of the Gila. He’ll also be an integral support rider for team leaders Sutherland and Zajicek during the Amgen Tour of California.

Feature photograph: Casey Gibson