Cancer. It is a scary word and something almost all of us have been touched by in some way. Unfortunately, my family is no exception.
My husband Glenn was diagnosed with cancer in September and has been undergoing treatment since.
Your life quickly becomes a schedule of appointments and meetings, each one taking you farther on a rollercoaster ride you never wanted to get on in the first place. The ride has its ups and downs, but not knowing what is around the next corner is what keeps you awake at night.
Glenn has received excellent care partly due to research that has helped advance diagnosis and treatment of this ugly disease.
As a support person, I realized I needed a way to get back my own sense of control and had heard of the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a two-day bike journey from Vancouver to Seattle on June 16 and 17.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer raises millions of dollars that helps to accelerate the eradication of cancer, and the more I read, the more I felt like I could be part of the solution.
I would not call myself an athlete, but I am in decent shape. Regardless, this will be the hardest physical challenge I have ever done. I signed up without even owning a road bike, so I needed to get from novice to rider at lightning speed.
I have since purchased a bike and shoes (the scary kind that clip you onto your bike pedals) and have the required bike shorts and helmet. I have been properly bike-fitted in an effort to give me every advantage I need for success.
And I am doing the fundraising, the most important part of the process. Each rider must raise $2,500 in order to participate. So I am pedaling for my husband and all those who have been or will be touched by cancer - two of five people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, so that is many of us.
Stay tuned and I will let you know how I am doing on my journey. I have fallen off my bike on every single ride so far, so my goal right now is to stay upright and learn how to get out of the shoe clips a bit faster!
To support Lori Chalmers and donate to the cause, go to www.conquercancer.ca/goto/lorichalmers2012
