I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and beat it. In 2004, I got tired of waiting for people to take me for a ride, so I decided that it was time to buy a motorcycle and start riding. Unfortunately, the cancer reappeared right after that.
Riding my bike was definitely a healing avenue for me. Being on two wheels, there is a lot of processing time. So, for me it was healing to have those “Zen” moments on my bike as I rode back and forth for radiation treatments. I think it really helped me through a lot of that journey to beat cancer.
I was diagnosed again in 2010, beat it again, and I have been cancer-free ever since.
How Else Did Riding Help in Your Battle?
It was the people I met, they were also a part of my healing. I’ve met the most amazing riding people that I consider family now. I was going through that journey by myself. I wasn’t in a relationship or anything, so, it really gave me more confidence knowing that doing my own thing, riding and just having that Zen time helped so much.
Harley Davidson found out that I was a three-time cancer survivor, and they asked me to be a spokesperson to help them raise money and awareness for riders battling cancer.
Do You Have Any Advice for People Fighting Their Own Battles?
I’m still here, and I just want people to know that you can still do things while you are healing. You don’t have to hunker down and just heal in your house. In fact, I think the more you do things while healing, and surround yourself with good friends and family, it definitely helps the healing process. I don’t know anybody who rides a motorcycle who doesn’t feel like the people they ride with almost become family. They were there with me through those tough times. There’s a real brotherhood and sisterhood that comes out of it.
Interview by Gregory Andrus
Portraits of the Jersey Shore
