The fight is not over and every dollar raised brings us closer to finding a cure.

• I ride in support of those close to us that are currently fighting cancer.

• I ride in celebration of those close to us that have won their fight against cancer.

• I ride in honor of those close to us that have lost their fight against cancer.

• I ride in memory of My Brother who passed away at age 4 from neuroblastoma.

• I ride in memory of My Dad who passed away at age 61 from ocular melanoma.

• I ride in memory of Bailey Buell who passed away at age 9 from rhabdomyosarcoma.

This will be my 13th year riding the PMC and I can't help but reflect on my reasons for riding and how cancer has impacted me. In 2019, because of my family history, I took a genetic test that changed my life. I learned that I was BRCA2 positive. While my initial instinct was to avoid, I asked myself, how could I commit to getting on my bike year after year to raise money for cancer research, when I wasn't taking the necessary steps toward prevention? In 2020 I entered into a high risk program for close monitoring and this year, I decided it was time to listen to my doctors and take a more aggressive approach. In March, I underwent a salpingectomy, the removal of my fallopian tubes, which is the first of three recommended surgeries. While this is only the beginning of a very emotional journey, I am proud of myself for having the courage to take the necessary steps towards minimizing my own risks of developing cancer.

What does this mean and what is the BRCA gene mutation? Risks of developing breast and ovarian cancer are markedly increased in people who inherit the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. BRCA risks: 45-85% chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime, compared to about 12% for the general population; 10-46% chance of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime, compared to less that 1% for the general population. These risks increase with age, beginning in your mid-thirties to early forties.

Genetic testing is crucial, especially in families like mine, in our pursuit of preventing and eradicating this horrible disease.

Knowledge is power.