One of the greatest things about the world is that we can find unity in all sorts of places; music, books, and even language just to name a few. It’s truly amazing that if you’re looking for a tie to others, you can find so many big and small. While there are all these amazing connections we have with each other to celebrate, there are also the ones we wish we didn’t have. Like cancer, the largest reaching and saddest tie of all. Personally, i’ve known cancer to be a destructive force for as long as I’ve known how to read and write. Ovarian cancer took my Aunt Joan, breast cancer threatened both of my grandmother’s lives, while pancreatic ultimately took one of them. Bone cancer took my Uncle Pal, and esophogeal cancer took my Auntie Kathy. I’m sure the role cancer has played in my life is very similar to the role it has played in yours or someone you know. I am fearful that any day, cancer can walk into my life again, as it does to others every minute of every day. Yet, I have hope, because far greater than the unifying bond that cancer forces us to have, is our united fight. Whether you are a patient, a doctor, a researcher, or a family member being supportive in the face of tragedy, we fight together.

I was inspired to volunteer on PMC weekend to support my best friend, Chelsea who along with her mother is a FOUR time PMC rider (yeah, I know a lot of badasses). Then, I thought more about the mission of the PMC and about the impact cancer has had on my life and on the ones I love, so I opted in for a 50 mile segment. My greatest memories of those I ride to remember, are almost always followed up with memories of their fight and their unwillingness to throw in the towel to a disease that didn’t deserve what it took from them. I remember watching my family put their fists up against a disease that didn’t deserve what it took from us. So while I am not a cyclist by any means, I know that I still have the fight in me, not just for my loved ones and family, but for yours and for future generations that I hope never have to experience a shred of the pain we have. When I am tired, and sore and don’t think I have any gas left in the tank, I’ll be thinking of our fight and giving it my all for those who cant, so that someday, we win.

I hope you’ll help me and thousands of others that will be putting the pedal to the pavement in August!

if you do make a donation please leave a message or send me a note if you’d like me to ride in memory of someone! I will be incorporating my reasons to ride on my gear so a name and/ or a particular symbol you’d like me to use would be great!