Von Ketelsen has been affected by cancer.

His brother Jack, whom he never knew, died of leukemia just days after turning 18. Ketelsen’s father and uncle, both farmers, had skin cancer. And most recently, Ketelsen had his own cancer scare when doctors detected a lump on his lymph node.

But, as Ketelsen discovered on a recent journey, he is just one of many in the web of those affected by the disease.

Beginning on Sept. 24, Ketelsen set off from Anamosa on a solo bike tour that would take him to Rochester, Minn., and back, all in the name of a brother he never knew and to raise awareness for a planned Hope Lodge in Iowa City.

Ketelsen, ISU alumnus and former president of Adelante fraternity, said he was surprised at the magnitude of the effects of cancer.

“I’d be talking to all these people in these small towns along the route, and I’d always get the same reaction,” he said. “Everybody – every single person – had the same response in the fact that they all knew someone who was affected by cancer.”

Cancer’s effects triggered Ketelsen’s journey in the first place. While he waited for doctors to diagnose the lump on his lymph node, he underwent a change in perspective.

“I made a promise to God and myself that if I didn’t have cancer that I was going to breakaway with my life and do this bike ride . and dedicate it to all the people who’d survived,” he said.

The lump was not a problem, and not only did Ketelsen dedicate his ride to those impacted by cancer, but also to a facility that assists them, the Hope Lodge.

Hope Lodges are free, temporary housing facilities for cancer patients undergoing treatment and their caregivers, said Marcia Holley, capital campaign director for the Iowa City Hope Lodge.

“Hope Lodge is like a Ronald McDonald House for adults,” Holley said. She is responsible for raising the $8 million needed to build and start up a facility in Iowa City, Iowa’s first. There are currently 22 in the nation, and the closest one to Iowa is in Rochester, Minn., Ketelsen’s destination on his journey. The University of Iowa has already donated the land for the building in Iowa City, which will be next to the Ronald McDonald House, Holley said.

Holley said the lodge has raised $4.7 million thus far, which includes a $2 million challenge grant from Russ Gerdin and his wife, of Heartland Express. The Gerdins put out the challenge after Russ and his wife spent time in the Rochester lodge while Russ was treated for cancer, Ketelsen said.

Ketelsen said he learned a lot about life while on the road.

“When you’re out on a bicycle, you see life as it’s really flowing. You can see life a lot more easily at 5 to 10 mph on a bike than you can in a car on I-80 going 60 mph,” Ketelsen said.

He said he learned about humanity also.

“This trip taught me human nature is basically good. People want to help, people want to be kind and do the right thing. Everywhere I went people would find out what I’m doing and want to help me out, take me into their home for the night, buy me lunch or a cup of coffee,” Ketelsen said. “It’s really reaffirmed my faith in humanity. There’s no better way to see the world and see Iowa than on a bicycle.”

Ketelsen said the trip, the people and the stories he heard made a lasting impression.

“I may not have taken pictures of everybody, but those are snapshots I’ll have in my mind for the rest of my life,” he said.