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Ochsner Children’s invites community to benefit bike ride and celebration

Ochsner Children’s partners with the McLindon Family Foundation to host a benefit bike ride and celebration to gift adaptive bikes to children with special needs

NEW ORLEANS - Ochsner Children’s and the McLindon Family Foundation invite community members and local media to attend the ‘These Bikes Change Lives’ Fest. This community celebration will honor the resilience of long-distance cyclists and, most importantly, empower children with special needs through the gift of mobility. The event will take place on Saturday, October 18 at the Michael R. Boh Center in New Orleans, marking the conclusion of the inspiring ‘These Bikes Change Lives’ Ride.

In attendance will be previous McLindon Family Foundation bike recipients to lead the long-distance cyclists across the finish line. Five children that attend various Ochsner therapy clinics in New Orleans and Baton Rouge will be receiving brand new adaptive bikes during the post-ride ‘These Bikes Change Lives’” Fest.

Event details

  • Saturday, October 18, 2025
  • 1 – 4 p.m.
  • The Michael R. Boh Center, Ochsner Children’s
    • 1319 Jefferson Hwy, Jefferson, LA 70121
  • Post-ride party to include:
    • Post-ride speech
    • Multiple bike deliveries to children with special needs
    • Refreshments
    • Local pop-up vendors

These Bikes Change Lives

This annual benefit bike ride supports the McLindon Family Foundation's mission to provide adaptive bikes for children and young adults with special needs. The bikes are tailored for individuals with conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, genetic disorders, traumatic brain injuries, Down syndrome, developmental delays/intellectual disability, hydrocephalus, autism, and more. So far, the foundation has delivered over 700 adaptive bikes, empowering children to strengthen their core muscles, build confidence, and foster friendships—key elements that help them reach their full potential and actively engage in society.

Andrew McLindon, McLindon Family Foundation chairman & founder says, “We are very proud of our long-term partnership with Ochsner Children’s. There’s nothing greater than finishing the ‘These Bikes Change Lives’ 75-mile ride and then presenting adaptive bikes to children with special needs.”

Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development

The Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development at Ochsner Children’s is committed to enhancing the lives of children and adolescents with developmental disorders. As Louisiana’s only comprehensive pediatric developmental center, the Boh Center provides expert care for neurodevelopmental disorders through collaborative, specialized evaluations and treatments grounded in the latest scientific evidence. Recognizing the vital role of families, the center actively involves parents as key team members, offering personalized education and resources tailored to each child’s needs.  

“At the Michael R. Boh Center, we are dedicated to empowering children with developmental challenges to reach their full potential,” said Robert Voigt, MD, system medical director of the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development at Ochsner Children’s. “The ‘These Bikes Change Lives’ Fest is a beautiful celebration of resilience, community, and the transformative power of mobility. We are honored to partner with the McLindon Family Foundation on this event, which will not only bring joy but also foster independence, confidence, and inclusion for children with special needs.”  

To learn more about this benefit bike ride and celebration, visit These Bikes Changes Lives. To learn about the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development, visit www.ochsner.org/boh/.

Media RSVP is required to attend this event and receive parking instructions. Contact: pr@ochsner.org.  

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About Ochsner Children’s

Ochsner Children’s is part of Ochsner Health, the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 47 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. Ochsner Children’s has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for five consecutive years. For the ninth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Ochsner Children's Hospital among the Top 50 Children’s Hospitals in the country. In 2025, Ochsner Children's Hospital ranked in cardiology and heart surgery and gastroenterology and GI surgery by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, Ochsner Children’s Hospital is honored to be recognized by Newsweek as America’s Best Children’s Hospitals ranking in pulmonology and neonatology.