Las Vegas man diagnosed with prostate cancer continues gifting bikes to kids in need

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Robert Crane, founder of Bob’s Bikes for Needy Kids, is fighting an aggressive form or prostate cancer.

Crane dedicated more than a decade of his life giving away free bikes to children in Southern Nevada.

“In 11 years I can’t remember how many smiles, I get mores smiles than Santa Claus ever got,” he said.

The idea came after he had an extra bike for his grandson.

“Put it on Craigslist in the free section and within two hours I had 80 replies on it so that’s when the bulb when off in my head, kids need bikes,” he added.

Since then, Crane has gifted more than a 1,000 used and new bikes to valley children.

“It is just a good feeling in my heart when I see a kid come here, see some kids come here, they don’t care what the bike looks like, they just want a bike,” Crane said.

But life has been challenging lately.

“I had just lost my son a little over a year and a half ago, you’ll never get over it, but that was enough pain and then I turn around and they say I am going to die of cancer, doctors only gave me one of two years to live,” he added.

Crane was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer.

“Everybody thinks this is going to be my final Christmas, it might be, I don’t know,” he said.

This year he’s raised nearly $4,000 online to buy new bikes to give away this Christmas season.

Crane says he doesn’t plan to stop running the nonprofit, but if his health declines, his daughter will likely step in.

“Hopefully I am not going away from a while,” he said.

Those interested in a free bike can message Crane online. He also accepts bikes and money through his GoFundMe page.

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