! A Special Ride for Leukemia & Lymphoma!



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Greetings,

We did it! I peddled, you donated and together we helped raise over $5,000 to fund a cure for blood related cancer. Illinois cyclist raised over $470,000 and nationally, 1,900 riders raised $6.5 million dollars for LLS in America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride. It is easy to remember that our lives are priceless when just one mile of our 100 mile journey was worth $65,000.

This year’s ride was much different for me. A few weeks before the ride a cardiologist had suggest that I not participate in Tahoe and to discontinue endurance riding. However, my heart was in the ride for more reasons then just my health. It was a memorial ride for my friend Dave and 27 patient heroes represented on my jersey. Also, my friend and close family member, Fran, was losing her battle with cancer and she was receiving hospice care. Fran’s courage and perseverance had gotten me through most of my training and she believed in her heart that one day we would find a cure.

In a two-week time span I evaluated many facets of my life and it often came back to one thing, the Gift of Faith. It is in the journey that we learn we can ask for help and at times depend on the spirit world to guide us in our life decisions. The gift of faith helps us through the seasons of life as we face many challenges in the road ahead of us. It is in climbing the mountains that we are reminded that we are not alone in the journey. I knew I needed to go to the mountains, the mountains that cradle the water of Lake Tahoe.

With my continued follow-up, and some persistence, my doctor agreed to a shorter distance around the lake and to limit the vertical inclines by getting sagged. I had to ask for help. This was a new experience and one that I was not familiar with. During the ride I thought of our patient heroes and how hard it must be to adjust their lifestyle and depend on help from others to battle through their disease or to simply get through one more day. As I rode I was more aware of my own body and mind. My mind believed I could do more and my heart told me I could only do so much. It was in listening that I found the blessing that we all fight for…..one breath and one heartbeat, then another and another. As my lungs filled with pine scented fresh air, I knew that the patient heroes (who were with me in spirit) enjoyed the ride even at a shorter distance.

It is truly a blessing to be in a position to interact with all creation and know you are a part of a greater plan. My journey brought me to the mountains and your support brought me up the mountains. Like so many of us I find Peace in nature. Looking over my shoulder at the calmness and serenity of the water I could hear the future in one word…..Believe. On July 10, 2004 Fran passed away Believing.

Whether you donated a garage sale item or merchandise to the raffle, bought or sold raffle tickets, sold candy, wrote a note of encouragement, sent in a monetary donation or prayed, I Thank You. For it is in giving that we receive and it is through great friends, family and prayer that we Believe. Thank you for your support, spiritually, emotionally & monetarily.

Peace & Blessings,

Kathleen

A special Thank You to my sister in law Nancy who memorialized our patient heroes by embroidering their names on my jersey.