Why? "Ride For A Cure"
The “Ride For A Cure” came about after I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in
October of 2002. After a routine mammogram and several tests, surgery was
necessary to remove breast tissue and five lymph nodes. We got the good news
that the cancer had not spread, so I was only required to undergo 7 weeks of
radiation at Rice Memorial Hospital.

Then in February of 2004, I was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer. After a visit to a
Urologist, surgery was scheduled to remove a tumor. I was treated with one
chemotherapy treatment in the bladder after surgery. ***Update- At my last doctor
appointment in December 2008, a low grade cancer was detected and I am
scheduled for surgery in July. Surgery went well, I think I am cancer-free again!

The words “you have cancer” are very difficult words to grasp. We might know
someone that has had Cancer, but you never think it will be “you”. Having just
watched my father die from cancer just 2 years earlier, the worst-case scenario
goes through your mind. Life becomes a precious gift .

I like a quote that was in an article written about a NBC executive that had
undergone cancer treatment in the 1980’s. He wrote “Cancer helps you see things
more clearly. The disease, I’ve found can actually “help” you do your job, and
there's a very simple reason why: there’s nothing like cancer to keep you focused
on what’s important.”

In some way, I wanted to help others that have been affected by cancer and raise
awareness about how important early detection is for cancer survival.  My
husband and I decided to involve motorcycling as a way to do this. Organizing this
event and raising funds to benefit cancer patients is just one way that “we” can
help the many that are touched by this disease. Programs are available for
patients and their families to help them through this journey in their life.

You may have your own reason for taking part in this event. Thanks for sharing
your stories (there have been many) about how cancer has affected your life.
Thank you for your generous gift by being part of this event and supporting a
worthy cause.

A special thank you to my husband,  Loel, and our children, Chris and Carrie, Cari
and Grant for your loving support. You are the glue that holds us all together and
makes life so worth every minute! Thanks to my sisters, Mary, Eloise and Wanda
for being my best friends. To my very special friends, Robin and Roby for being
"no truer friends that I will ever meet." And last but not least, my guardian angel
Brenda for your words of encouragement and  support. "You" are an inspiration to
us all!

Thanks to our family, friends and everyone that had any part in helping with this
event. You are "all" appreciated.  

Last but not least, a special thank you goes out to our son, Chris for setting up this
web page and for taking the time to show me how to edit the information. It is very
exciting to have a place on the WEB to call home for information that can be
shared.

Let’s “Ride For A Cure”!

Linda Larson
A Cancer Survivor