WHY I RIDE

Family and Friends,

The Pedal The Cause bicycle ride is back and I'm proud to say that I've joined the WWT team again. This will be my 7th year riding and the need for cancer research has never been greater.

I believe that most of you know why I ride, but for those that don't, here's a brief synopsis:
Aunt Jean passed away in 2006 after a long battle against cancer.
Anna diagnosed in July 2015 with stage 3 breast cancer in one breast and stage 1 in the other breast. At the time of diagnosis our kids were ages 2, 5, and 8. While this was a battle that Anna and I did not expect to encounter (especially at age 37), we were up to the task. Anna handled her treatments remarkably well and her oncologist was always encouraged by how well she looked at all of her appointments. After the initial shock, sadness, and anger. Her positive and upbeat attitude carried over into the form of a "smile jar" that she created for others going through Chemo treatment at the Pratt Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital (St. Louis). The Smile Jar consists of stickers, prayers, jokes, or anything else that may bring a smile to those battling through any form of cancer. After using all the resources to battle her cancer (chemo, radiation, surgery), Anna is currently cancer free.
Aunt Dina diagnosed with breast cancer in Dec 2015. After using all the resources to battler her cancer (chemo, radiation, surgery), Dina is currently cancer free
My favorite mother-n-law, Joann, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. After a successful surgery, Joann is currently cancer free.
Anna's cousin, Erinn, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. After a successful surgery, Erinn is currently cancer free.
My favorite father-n-law, Gary, diagnosed with brain cancer (Glioblastoma) in May 2020, passed away in April 2021.
My former boss (and mentor), Mark "Freddy" Frederickson, diagnosed with brain cancer (Glioblastoma) in 2016, passed away in 2022.
I was working for "Freddy" at the time of Anna's diagnosis and his support of me as an employee and as a person were extraordinary during that time.
The Fredericksons were a great help to my in-laws, after we found out about Gary's diagnosis.
WWT'er (and a friend since grade-school) Valari Harrison in the fight against Leukemia (diagnosed in June 2022, currently in remission)
And friends of friends and distant relatives... the list keeps growing every year

Team WWT: We are proud to be joining Pedal the Cause in the fight against cancer. We know that it takes world-class research to create a world without cancer. And by participating in Pedal the Cause, we know that 100% of our donations will go directly to accelerating cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Anna will be joining me (and team WWT) again this year. We plan to ride a 30-mile course on Saturday and then I'll ride another 50-mile course on Sunday. You can contribute to either of our pages (or both), links to donate are below. I plan to ?hit up? a very large contact list, so any amount is much appreciated.
My link: https://www.mypedalthecause.org/riders_profile.jsp?MemberID=96600
Anna's link: https://www.mypedalthecause.org/riders_profile.jsp?MemberID=154540