WHY I RIDE IN PELOTONIA

When I was around 10, I was told my best friend had Hodgkins Disease. I had no idea what this was. It was the first time I remember hearing the word, "cancer." This was my first, but not my last experience with how cancer affects us all in some way. Since then, I lost another friend to leukemia, a grandparent to Multiple Myeloma, another to esophageal cancer, an uncle to colon cancer, have three family members who faced breast cancer, one of which is my Mom who also beat thyroid cancer, and others who also faced esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer. These are just to name a few...

I have watched the bravest of fighters fight and win, while others were not quite as lucky. I have watched families and loved ones support one other with tremendous strength, while crying in fear behind the scenes. Mostly importantly, I have watched as cancer research has made tremendous advancements and breakthroughs in treatments, prevention, and care. ...even for the rarest forms of cancer.

On January 23, 2023, my husband Charlie turned 50. On this same day, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Thymic Carcinoma, one of the rarest cancers in the world. I will never have words to describe that day or the days that followed. The intensity of emotions would have likely killed me if it weren't for the intensity of love and support we received in the longest year of our lives.

We spent the majority of the year at The James Cancer Hospital, the third largest cancer hospital in the country where they are pioneering cancer prevention, detection, treatment and research. Their expertise, care, and treatment was, and continues to be, a critical component of why Charlie is with us today cancer-free.

This year marks my 13th year riding in Pelotonia, a multi-day event centered around cycling where 100% of funds raised goes toward innovative cancer research at The James. Since it began in 2008, the over $300 million has been raised and I hope you will help me raise a little bit more....