Yesterday, I had the incredible honor of participating in my first Cycle for Survival ride. There are no words to describe this experience. It is nothing short of inspiring. Equinox does an incredible job, INCREDIBLE JOB, of pulling together and hosting this event. There were over 500 riders who signed up to participate and ride for a great cause. 100% of donations toward this event go to Memorial Sloan Kettering. Yes, 100%!!
In 2001, I was working for Accenture in Raleigh, NC when my Dad called me in the middle of the work day to tell me that my mother had been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. I don't remember hearing anything after that. My mother was 56 years old and a walking ad for a healthy 50 year old woman. She was active in her community and church, went for long walks and hikes with my Dad every night and had the healthiest diet of anyone I knew. She was the perfect example of how to stay 'young and healthy' in your 50s.
I remember hanging up the phone, walking directly to my manager's office and saying, "I have to go home. My Mom has cancer." I could not tell you if he responded and if so, what his response was. I simply turned around, walked out of the office and got in my car. To this day, I don't know how I made it home. I remember crying so hard that I could not see through my tears. I remember thinking this is not supposed to happen to my best friend and the one person who has given up so much for me to have the best life. She's supposed to see me get married and have children.
Over the next few months, the prognosis was not good. The doctors in California were not comfortable operating or taking any action given how advanced the cancer was. Fortunately, my Dad refuses to take No for an answer. He spent months researching doctors and came across a well know Whipple surgeon at Sloan Kettering. As luck would have it, Dad had a friend who knew the doctor personally. His friend put them in touch and after reviewing Mom's charts and scans, asked my parents to fly to NY as soon as possible. They were there within days and the doctor and his team, performed the whipple on Mom the day after she arrived. That surgery, along with the post operative care and Mom's incredible spirit, are the reason she lived three and a half years after she was diagnosed. I am forever grateful to Dr. Kim and the incredible team of doctors, nurses and staff at Sloan Kettering.
So yesterday, I rode in honor of my mother. While this was possibly the MOST fun I have ever had raising money for cancer, there was a moment when I was overcome with emotion realizing how much I missed her and how my children will never know her. For this reason, I will continue to support this incredible cause and never give up on the fight for a cure.
To Learn More about Cycle for Survival, visit www.cycleforsurvival.org
