What inspires me to ride each year!! This will be my 18th ride but this year I will be creating my own ride. In the past I have written as a caregiver but this year it will be as a cancer survivor. Last July they found a sarcoma in my foot that required radiation and surgery to remove it and surrounding tissue. A follow up foot surgery this past June will prevent me from riding during PMC weekend but I will reimagine my own ride later on this year. So thankful for all the doctors, nurses, friends and especially my family that supported and guided me through this. Your donation has a special meaning to me this year.
In 2003 my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer at the young age of 38. One surgery and some minor radiation we were told until they found it had metastasized to his liver. Our children were young when he was diagnosed being 2 and 4 and I couldn't imagine what the future was going to hold for us. A clinical trial for chemotherapy, a major surgery and one year to get back on his feet my husband Gary beat the odds and he is now 20 years out, cancer free. I will now fast forward to 2007, something unthinkable happened!!! Our son Nicholas at eight years old was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Major surgery and 1 1/2 years of chemotherapy. Nick is now 25 years old and living his best life. Each year more and more people fight cancer in one form or another. I feel that my family has been blessed and that riding my bike to raise money and help in some small way is the least I could do. I thank all who donate to the PMC each year and it is because of you that life saving research is funded and that cures for various cancers are advancing so rapidly.

Tina Aswad