WHY I RIDE

Dear Friends, Family and Fighters:

On April 7th, 2017 I was diagnosed with stage 3C Colon Cancer. It is when we heard those 3 devastating words?? YOU HAVE CANCER? that the greatest fight of my life began. We are fortunate to live in St. Louis with phenomenal medical choices. We of course, were relying on GOD, our medical friends and family to direct us to the very best doctors and treatment available. Lucky for us Siteman Cancer Center is a leading Cancer Center in the world and is right here in St. Louis.

I had surgery to first to remove the tumor and then we received the devastating news that the Cancer had crossed the colon wall into my lymph system. The best way to arrest the Cancer from spreading further was with intensive Chemotherapy treatment. May 2017, I began my Chemotherapy treatment at Siteman. After 12 grueling rounds of Chemo with nauseating and sometimes painful side effects, I was given the awesome news that I had ?NED?, No Evidence of Disease (January 2018). My type of Cancer was very aggressive and therefore I am continually being watched very closely, having blood tests and scans every 3 months for the next 4 or more years.

August 2018 I was given the disappointing news that my colon cancer had Metastasized to my lungs. After several months of watching the spots in my lungs it was decided I needed surgery - a Lower Lobectomy on my right lung. I had my surgery during Covid on May 15th. It was a grueling recovery process and I am currently pain free!

After the pathology report came back, I sadly have been upgraded to STAGE 4 Colon Cancer. I have started Chemotherapy treatment again and hoping to finish 8 rounds by the end of the year. My doctors will assess my situation at that time and more scans will follow to ensure that it does not spread again!

Do you know of someone in the fight or who are losing or have lost the fight to Cancer? Can you Imagine a World Without Cancer? The brilliant doctors and research teams at Siteman are finding amazing advancements, cures and helping people with Cancer live longer and with less side effects.

Brian and I are very passionate about this local fundraising opportunity and we need your help. On Sunday, September 27th we will be biking 50 miles with TEAM: Powered By HOPE for Pedal the Cause! We would love your support in this effort to raise funds to further the possibility of a World Without Cancer. 100% of your generous donation STAYS IN ST LOUIS and will directly help people like me. Any amount is appreciated, especially in these Covid times.

In addition, we can ride in memory of or for those loved ones who are still in the battle or for those who have beaten this devastating disease. Please add their names to our growing list and we will honor them throughout the Pedal weekend. I live each day by Faith not by Fear and I am Powered by HOPE!

H(ow) O(rdinary) P(eople) E(ndure)

Thank you for praying for us and for your consideration for this AWESOME cause.

Ann and Brian

We ride in memory of: Art, Jeff, Summer, Lucy, Todd, Sydney, Jan, Sheila, John, Bill, Connie,Kristi, Katie, Beth, Julia, Denise, Stubby, Dave, KK.
We ride for: Lucille, Jeannie, Tara, Tammi Jo, Mary, Mike, Bob, Brian, Kevin, Lou, Jim, Rosemary, Dennis, Brenda, Eric, Ann, Ruth Ann, Angela, Mark, Amy, Carol, Stacey, Helen,
Teri, Jan, Allison, Judy, Terri, Nina, Maureen, Julie.

( Read more about Ann?s Cancer story on www.caringbridge.com )