Throughout my life, I’ve seen people very close to me have cancer, one being my Grandma. She really was the sweetest person I knew. The only memories I have of her are of her high-spirited attitude, which is why when I found out she had cancer, I was taken by surprise. It could be the darkest day, and she’d still be able to bring it to life. Losing her to cancer truly left a hole in my heart, but all the memories I had with her keep me whole.

Another victim of cancer was my brother. When he was diagnosed, all I remember was the feeling of disbelief and shock. I vividly remember being at the hospital before and after his surgeries, feeling only fear of what was to come. Fortunately, my brother was able to beat it, and I’ve been incredibly grateful to still be able to see him. But there was always one thing that stuck with me, the type of cancer my brother had been diagnosed with was primarily found in children. Just the thought of little kids having to go through life with cancer shakes me to the core.

Which is why, when I found out about the Great Cycle Challenge, I instantly wanted to be involved. My love for biking and my desire for a different outcome with cancer can finally be put toward something meaningful. By participating in this challenge, I hope to help raise awareness and support research that can give children and families affected by cancer a brighter future. I may not be able to change what happened to my Grandma or erase the fear my family experienced, but I can do my part to help make sure that fewer families have to experience the same pain.