When my friend Erica told me she was signing up for The Ride to Conquer Cancer I was so impressed. It’s a huge undertaking to ride for two whole days, 150 miles. for a cause. You need to be dedicated, passionate and really want it!! I asked Erica if she would share her story here for so that reads my blog can learn about The Ride to Conquer Cancer, consider donating and help CHEER ON ERICA!!! Here is Erica’s story…
I am tired of cancer winning.
I know cancer doesn’t always “win.” There have been amazing breakthroughs in cancer research that has led to better detection, more individualized treatments, and therapies that have led to many remissions.
But with every diagnosis, with every scare and with every scan, cancer interrupts lives. Rich, full lives filled with family, friends, and things still left to do and see all of the sudden seem too short.
Last October, with my Nana, cancer won. She was 90, and lived an amazing, full life. But it was cancer that ultimately took her from us.
In the past 10 years or so, I’ve met too many young people diagnosed with cancer.
A new mom who thought the lump in her breast was a clogged milk duct she got while breastfeeding.
A young mother of three who found a lump in her chest while in the shower getting ready to take her kids to school.
A father who had to find a way to tell his children he was very ill, and that the outlook was not good.
These are the stories that make me stop in my tracks, look around, and say, “What is going on here??? Why aren’t we shouting from the rooftops,’We’re tired of being bullied by horrible disease!'”
If we can declare a War on Drugs, why can’t we declare a War on Cancer?
But when I look around, I see hope. I see the Abramson Cancer Center in Philadelphia. I see a place where the best and brightest cancer researchers are making strides in cancer, so that our bodies can fight smarter.
I see a place, where cancer isn’t winning. I see a place where the super heroes are researchers, doctors, nurses and caregivers. I see a place where people with cancer aren’t giving up.
I am so inspired by the work happening at the Abramson Cancer Center, I wanted to do what I could to support research there – I joined the Ride to Conquer Cancer®.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a 2-day, roughly 150-mile bike ride through the countryside (read: hilly) of Philadelphia’s suburbs. Every dollar raised through the ride goes to cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center. Every dollar.
This ride is me yelling, “What is going on here??”
These riders are shouting from the rooftops.
This is us not letting cancer bully us any more.
Please help me support cancer research with a donation. Big or small – every dollar helps me get to my goal.
Donate here.
Erica Voll is the owner of No Sleep ’til College, and a social media professional in the Philadelphia area. Stay updated with my riding training and journey by subscribing to my blog, following me on Facebook, or following me on Instagram.
I lost my mother at the ripe young age of 50 to Cancer. Thank you for doing the ride!
My close friend lost her battle with cancer last year at the young age of 32. Thank you for riding and doing what you are to raise awareness for cancer research! This is great!