Video - Early Years
for the Lobo Cancer Challenge
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2021
A story of strength, pain and resilience
At 14, Kyle Stepp was diagnosed with stage four osteosarcoma. Doctors replaced part of his leg with a steel rod and he went through massive amounts of chemotherapy. Over the years, the doctors and staff at UNM Cancer Center and the other kids going through treatment became part of his family. In Fall of 2020, a mountain biking accident required the removal of his leg. "That pain has given me a perspective on the world and that perspective for me is a privilege. I get to view the world from such a deep, beautiful place. It's become a calling," he said. He brings the inspiration of his outlook to his support of the Lobo Cancer Challenge.
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2020
Giving Back through the Lobo Cancer Challenge
A three-time cancer survivor is giving back through the Lobo Cancer Challenge. From a nurse to now a fitness coach, she wants to make sure all of you battling cancer have a friend who knows exactly what you are going through.
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Presenting Sponsor and staple of the community
Dr. Cheryl Willman proposed the idea of a cancer-fighting fundraiser with a bicycling component to the owner of Blake’s Lotaburger, Ron Rule, as they shared an enthusiasm for cycling. He was “to the moon” about this, as he saw it as a way to help prevent what happened to their family from happening to others. Lannie Ziemann of the family says the Lobo Cancer Challenge is “our way of turning what was a negative experience for us into something positive and hopeful and helpful we hope.” Blake’s Lotaburger has been the Presenting Sponsor of the Lobo Cancer Challenge from the very first year.
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New Cancer-Fighting Tools
Bernard Tawfik, medical oncologist, says we are in a very big time right now where knowledge is power. Every year cancer survivor numbers go up. At UNM, we are actively starting a survivorship care program, which includes following patients through their cancer, screening tests, monitoring side effects to treatments received, and a summary document that stays with you from doctor to doctor. The Theranostics Program is another new approach. Instead of delivering radiation or chemotherapy to the whole body, Theranostics delivers a medicine that goes directly to the cancer and kills it on-site, and radiation is only used in close proximity to the tumor. Theranostics was not in use in the U.S. until about 2018, and the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only place in the state that offers it. These life-saving programs are generated by funds from the Lobo Cancer Challenge. Every pedal, every drop of sweat, and every dollar you raise, helping to save lives right here at home.
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Helping with Hardships Cancer Survivors Face
Dr. Jean McDougall’s research with the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center focuses on food insecurity and financial hardships cancer survivors face. People who have never found themselves struggling financially can suddenly have a lot of extra costs. A certain group of people also face struggles with getting food. “We are working really hard to make sure we can help link people to organizations that can help bridge that financial gap… Cancer occurs in all groups of people. It all comes down to resources. The more you bring to the table, the better the outcome will be. [The Lobo Cancer Challenge is] raising awareness in the community and bringing it to the people in a way that we can all participate… [it’s a] really great thing.”
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2019
Bike Partners
Two bike shops have partnered up with the Lobo Cancer Challenge since the beginning, to help ensure that participants’ bikes are road-ready, or to provide high-performance bikes to rent at a discount. Joshua Arnold of Routes Bicycle Tours says he enjoys the “aspect of health and cycling and seeing the community come together to better itself in such a wonderful, outdoor healthy way. Help fight the battle that affects so many of us.”
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Riding to Honor his Brother
Marcos Paz rides to honor his brother Robert who passed away from leukemia. Marcos says had it not been for the treatment Robert received at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, he would not have had the extra time that he did. He was able to say goodbye to everyone he loved. Not long after his passing, his brother Marcos rode in the inaugural Lobo Cancer Challenge. “That was probably the best ride I had ever had in my life.” He was able to think of his beloved brother. Since then he has taken part in every Lobo Cancer Challenge.
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2018
The Lobo Cancer Challenge grows in its second year
The second annual event doubled the number of participants along with significant growth in fundraising. A 5K Run / Walk event was added to the 25, 50 and 100 mile bike routes. The Lobo Cancer Challenge isn't just about the people taking part. It's also about volunteers and the people cheering them on. Each story is the same yet each story is unique.
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2017
Fundraisers like the Lobo Cancer Challenge are so important
For the very first Lobo Cancer Challenge, participants could register for 25, 50 or 100 mile bike rides to raise money for diagnosis and treatment along with important research at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, founded in 1971. Dr. Matthew Fero says the cancer center is needed in New Mexico. “Some of my patients have told me they did not even know there was a Comprehensive Cancer Center right down the street from them. They would travel out of state... and weren’t getting the same quality of care we can provide here... A lot of times we struggle in the early phases of research, where we don’t have the funds to get things going. That’s why fundraisers like the Lobo Cancer Challenge are so important.”
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Lobo Cancer Challenge participants ride to help others
Sandy Gold loves to cycle and credits it for getting her through a lot. She defeated melanoma and breast cancer and now she is riding in the very first Lobo Cancer Challenge to raise money for others who are in the middle of their cancer battle. She says the UNM Cancer Center is a very special place. Register to ride 25, 50 or 100 miles as a team, a family or by yourself. Sandy says, “Each mile could mean one more New Mexican beating cancer.”
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