cycling for survival

cancer.

those two syllables could be the glummest two combinations in the dictionary.

who hasn’t been personally affected with the evil of cancer?

the insidiousness of the disease, the frustration with lags in treatments and cures, and the devastating toll this beast takes on bodies, minds and souls; cancer knows no boundaries in its methods to rip your heart wide open.

i’ve shared my personal heartbreak watching my dear aunt bravely fight and BEAT cancer this past year.

two other, beautiful friends, battled just as fierce, but unfortunately lost their crusades against this menace a few months ago.

and of course my truman.

it’s easy to feel helpless and bitter; tears of fury form now as i try to type. but i know it’s best to put my energy into more productive, contributive uses.

this coming saturday an amazing event is taking place across the united states: cycle for survival.

an indoor cycling relay event held in equinox fitness clubs across the country, and in some satellite locations around the world, cycle for survival was created to generate money for rare cancer research at memorial sloan-kettering cancer center, the largest cancer center worldwide.

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the funds go directly to rare cancer research.

we have an incredible group of riders representing the best of orange county’s equinox, many of them are my beloved students from spin class.

i am so sad i will not be able to ride in person, but i will be there in spirit and donation.

so often i am moved to help with various causes and issues, but never know where to turn or what organizations to trust. and this is the first time i think i’ve written about a charity on “the blog”…i feel rather washy about that kind of thing….

but this is a cause i back with both feet, legs, heart & soul, and i invite you to check it out.

and if you’re so inclined to donate to the amazing team on saturday…..here is their link.

i definitely encourage you to read about the amazing work happening at memorial sloan-kettering cancer center.

go team. keep up the fight.

all my love,

katie

Similar posts:

nuts!

are we there yet?

where'd you go, katie?

off i go

4 Comments

mary jo on February 2, 2012 at 5:18 am

someone should clone you like a million times katie. i spent almost every afternoon of my last year in grad school at sloane kettering with someone who died in the most painful way of cancer. i don't think there's anyone who hasn't experienced this in some form. i'm glad you wrote about it.
xo mary jo

Hogger & Co. on February 2, 2012 at 9:27 am

🙁 What a devastating disease.

ann on February 2, 2012 at 9:43 am

I'm happy to hear your Aunt is well and my condolences for your brave friends. I just got back from NYC on Friday. I was there on business and last minute changed my flight on Wednesday from a Thursday flight to Friday – so I could visit a colleague who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer three years ago – it later spread to her bones and lungs. She temporarily in the hospital to have fluids drained and had been a little weak so they kept her in the hospital – she was laughing and joking around Tuesday so I thought I would visit with her as we had bonded. Little did any of us know that it was her last day on earth. I made it to the hospital to give her a kiss and tell her I love her two hours later she (a beautiful 39 year old women) departed this earth leaving behind a fiance, a six year old daughter, a mom, and friends. It was beyond heartbreaking. As you know, i'm very out of shape slowly making my way back to excercising but it's a great cause what you are all doing. I think your post was perfect.

Jody Brettkelly on February 3, 2012 at 1:14 pm

I'm so glad you wrote about it too. Increasingly, more women and men I know are getting cancer in all its forms and it has no bounds, young or old, healthy or no.

mary jo on February 2, 2012 at 5:18 am

someone should clone you like a million times katie. i spent almost every afternoon of my last year in grad school at sloane kettering with someone who died in the most painful way of cancer. i don't think there's anyone who hasn't experienced this in some form. i'm glad you wrote about it.
xo mary jo
Hogger & Co. on February 2, 2012 at 9:27 am

🙁 What a devastating disease.
ann on February 2, 2012 at 9:43 am

I'm happy to hear your Aunt is well and my condolences for your brave friends. I just got back from NYC on Friday. I was there on business and last minute changed my flight on Wednesday from a Thursday flight to Friday – so I could visit a colleague who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer three years ago – it later spread to her bones and lungs. She temporarily in the hospital to have fluids drained and had been a little weak so they kept her in the hospital – she was laughing and joking around Tuesday so I thought I would visit with her as we had bonded. Little did any of us know that it was her last day on earth. I made it to the hospital to give her a kiss and tell her I love her two hours later she (a beautiful 39 year old women) departed this earth leaving behind a fiance, a six year old daughter, a mom, and friends. It was beyond heartbreaking. As you know, i'm very out of shape slowly making my way back to excercising but it's a great cause what you are all doing. I think your post was perfect.
Jody Brettkelly on February 3, 2012 at 1:14 pm

I'm so glad you wrote about it too. Increasingly, more women and men I know are getting cancer in all its forms and it has no bounds, young or old, healthy or no.