This is my 6th year riding with Heidi's Heroes.  My reasons for riding have not changed but different from my first ride is the appreciation of the thousands of riders and volunteers who dedicate themselves to the purpose of funding research that may someday lead to a cure, and if not a cure, help individuals live full lives despite their cancer.

I am fortunate to have a friend like Heidi Fischer. She leads the PMC fundraising for research into Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer. Heidi introduced me to ophthalmology when I became her office manager in 2008. Working with her I learned about courage and compassion. While caring for her own patients, she fought her own battle with neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer. If she could manage that, then I want to do my part in helping her raise money to fund research that may someday lead to a cure.

You don’t have to look far to find someone close to you whose life has been forever changed by cancer. Our personal relationships are often shaped by cancer, in all of its forms.  I am asking you to do what we all should do. Contribute in some way to help others who have a cancer diagnosis or to help those who someday may have the conversation with their physician—“Yes, it is cancer and this is our plan to deal with it.”

A small donation, a large donation, makes no difference, as long as you can say, “I did something to help”. I know you can do this and I thank you.