When you hear that your loved one has cancer your world stops. You go through a wide array of emotions ranging from fear to sadness to anger. You push hard to find answers, loopholes, positive statistics, or anything that will bring you closer to an answer and shed light on this dark time.

This summer when my grandmother was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer I felt gutted and lost. My grandparents have always been by my side, my best friends and biggest support system. The thought of losing them always terrified me and I did not expect to lose her this fast. My grandmother had been healthy her whole life and “deemed medically boring” just 6 short months before. Although I wished desparetly for a a different outcome I am grateful for the advancements in treatment that allowed her to have a peaceful end and give us 9 wonderful months together. I am grateful we got one more birthday and pushed to make as many memories as possible together.

I have spent the last 17 years raising funds for cancer specifically Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) through St Jude and Jimmy Fund. My grandparents have always been a huge part of my fundraising insanity. They have walked alongside me, bought gallons of charity lemonade, helped assemble 100s of gingerbread houses and have cheered me on at every finish line. Even when we had very little they have taught me that if you CAN help you SHOULD and that the greatest thing you can do for someone is show up for them. They showed me that the smallest acts of kindness (which they did daily) can make the biggest impact. When my grandmother was diagnosed to I knew I wanted to do something big for her, for my family, and for anyone who was feeling as gutted as we were.

This year I will be riding PanMass Challenge for the first time with Team Beach Comber. I will ride close to 90 miles in her memory and for all your loved ones. I hope to carry on her legacy of doing good for those in need. I have used this time training to think of her throughout each mile. I know this won’t bring her back but it keeps keep her close.

Our team has taken on a pedal partner Calista Scribner who is an incredible 4th grader in our town in treatment at Dana Farber for ALL. Having been intimately involved with both St Jude and the Jimmy Fund Clinic, I wanted to find a way to help and connect them with the supportive community I have grown to know. All of the funds our team raises will specifically go to further advancement of ALL treament. My grandmother shared in the belief that no one should ever have to hear the words your child has cancer. She heard it too many times between her mom, her sisters and some of her closest friends. She wore a bracelet proud up until she left us that said F Cancer like a badge of honor. We did not win our battle together and on March 17th she was taken too soon from me, but I hope we can help other families win theirs.

Over the next few months, I will share details on the ride. If you or a loved one has fought or lost their battle to cancer please share their/your story with me and I will wear their name on my jersey with honor. I hope you will come along for the ride with us. You know we always put the FUN in fundraising.

If you are able and would like to donate or share my efforts, I would forever be grateful.

Thank you with all my heart!

Susan

#teamcalista #ridingfornanagigi