Why I Ride ...A Team Called Sue
Many of you know me as a runner, to date 18 marathons and over 100 half-marathons, but this summer I am hanging up my running shoes and clipping into a bike for a 200 mile ride in an effort to support cancer research.Many of you may ask, why am I putting myself in the position to possibly fall off a bike, all while my feet are clipped in? To put the boniest of butts in a saddle for two days? All because of my dear friend Ken and his sister, Sue.I have know Ken Duckworth for more than a decade...Ken was my "work husband", walking side by side with me while treating folks with severe and persistent Mental Illness. He was, and is, someone who I look up to, admire, and deeply care for. Ken was not only the psychiatrist at my work, but he was (and is) the National Medical Director for NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) and often we would have to travel across the country for conventions and such. At these conventions, I was honored to meet Sue, Ken's sister. Sue was the warmest and kindest person. She always volunteered to watch Ken's daughters at these conventions and made me feel as though I was part of the family. Sue always remembered me, my kids, my job, and made me feel important. I looked forward to seeing her on these trips.Sadly, Sue passed away from cancer, after an extraordinary and courageous battle, leaving a gigantic hole in her families lives. When Ken asked me to participate in a PMC team in her memory, I GLADLY jumped at the chance. Please help support me in my first ever PMC 200 mile bike ride! I promise there will be many photos of me with a helmet on backwards, tales of me unable to un-clip my feet, and large tubs of salve for my bum.Please support A Team Called Sue!
I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge
to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went
directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's
tireless commitment to finding a cure.
