20 MILES TURNED INTO 36 AFTER A CONVERSATION

My goal today was to ride 20 miles.

But sometimes a ride takes you somewhere you never expected to go.

As I was riding through a local neighborhood, I noticed a woman fixing little yellow flags around a yard sign that read Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and In Loving Memory of Joseph Dennard. I had noticed the sign last week, along with yellow flags in several nearby yards.

I reluctantly stopped and asked the woman if she was Joseph’s mother. She nodded.

I wanted her to know that I had noticed the signs and that I was so sorry for her loss. I briefly told her about my daughter’s kindergarten “bestie,” who was diagnosed with cancer in kindergarten and treated at MUSC. I had seen firsthand how incredibly difficult that journey was for her family.

Joseph’s journey lasted six years.

I also told her that this is my 11th year riding in the Great Cycle Challenge to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research through the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. I told her I would keep her family, and all families facing childhood cancer, in my prayers.

Our conversation was brief. She was focused on fixing the flags, and I could see that she was becoming tearful, so I wished her well and continued my ride.

I was about 20 miles into my ride.

And then I decided I wasn’t finished.

I turned those final 16 miles into 16 miles for Joseph, bringing my remaining mileage to exactly 100 miles.

Later, I looked up Joseph’s name and read his obituary. Joseph was only 12 years old.

One line especially stayed with me:

«“Joseph filled every one of those years with laughter, adventure, creativity, and love, leaving an impact far beyond his time on earth.”»

His family called him Super Joe.

And perhaps the most powerful thing I read was that Joseph chose joy. He chose love. He made every moment count.

Cancer may have been part of Joseph’s story, but it wasn't the whole story.

So today, 36 miles became more than just a number on my bike computer.

16 of those miles were for Joseph.

For his mom.

For his family.

And for every child and family who has heard the words, “Your child has cancer.”

I’m riding because childhood cancer deserves more research, more treatment options, more hope, and ultimately, more birthdays.

100 miles to go. 💛🚴‍♀️💙🧡

If you’re following along with my Great Cycle Challenge journey, thank you. Every donation helps fund the fight against childhood cancer, and every mile helps keep these kids and their families from being forgotten.

22 miles

Today I rode 22 miles for Ronni, one of Clara’s good friends since K-5, who survived leukemia after being diagnosed in January of her kindergarten year.

She endured countless treatments and spent a great deal of time, off and on, at MUSC Children’s Hospital. Today, Ronni is a healthy, beautiful young woman, a senior in college, and will turn 22 at the end of October. Thankfully, she doesn’t remember much of what she went through, but I know her parents do.

We spent time with Ronni and her mother in the hospital many times and witnessed firsthand how her journey affected her entire family, especially her mother, who is a dear friend of mine.

Ronni’s remission and eventual healing are one of the reasons I ride every year. Her story is a reminder of why this matters, not only for the children battling cancer, but for the parents and families who walk that frightening journey alongside them. We need better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for childhood cancer, so fewer children and families have to endure what Ronni and her family went through.