Why I support the American Cancer Society:

Cancer touches nearly everyone—through someone we love or through our own lives. For me, it became deeply personal in early 2020 when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.

I never expected it. I had no family history, lived a healthy lifestyle, and rarely dealt with illness. I had even skipped a routine mammogram the year before, thinking it wasn’t necessary. That one missed screening changed everything. By the time my cancer was discovered, it had spread, and I was suddenly facing an intense and overwhelming climb.

My journey included a unilateral mastectomy, lymph node removal, seven surgeries, 37 rounds of radiation, months of physical therapy, and years of medication with difficult side effects. It was one of the hardest climbs of my life—physically, emotionally, and mentally.

And through it all, I kept moving forward… often on my bicycle.

Riding became my way to cope and regain a sense of control. I rode to treatments, appointments, work—everywhere I could. I cried on that bike, celebrated small victories on that bike, and on my final radiation day, I wore a Superman cape as I rode there. It reminded me that even in the hardest moments, I was still strong.

In February 2025, I reached my 5-year mark and am now considered in remission. I am incredibly grateful—for my care team, for advances in treatment, and for the chance to keep climbing forward in life.

Now, I’m taking that strength and putting it toward something bigger.

I’m participating in the Climb to End Cancer to support the American Cancer Society, whose work helps fund life-saving research, improve treatments, and support patients and families through every step of their journey.

If my effort—and my story—can help even one person get diagnosed earlier, face treatment with more support, or survive and thrive, then this climb is worth it.

Please join me in making a difference. Every step, every dollar, and every bit of support helps us move closer to ending cancer.