Cancer doesn’t care. It doesn’t care about age. It doesn’t care about your family or friends. It doesn’t care about what it takes from us — or who it leaves behind.

BUT I CARE! I care about making a difference in the future of cancer research and bringing an end to this devastating disease. That’s why I am participating in this year's Ride for Roswell this summer!

On Monday, May 3, 2021, Heaven gained another angel, my Sister-In-Law Mary Hayward, the day after her 57th birthday.  Mary was one tough lady and fought this disease for nearly five years. Mary went down swinging as she would persist and never give up or never give in, even in her last couple days of her life.

Special shout out and thanks go out to to Dr. Emese Zsiros MD, PhD, FACOG, Director of Research, Associate Professor of Oncology, Associate Fellowship Director, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and her wonderful team, for taking such good care of Mary.

Any funds I personally raise will be in memory of Mary Hayward which would be designated specifically to Dr. Zsiros' Ovarian Cancer Research as it will allow her to develop novel immunotherapy combination clinical trials at Roswell Park.

I am also riding in memory of dear family and friends who are no longer with us and along with Mary, are looking down from above, cheering us on in this fight. I also dedicate this ride to friends in the Western New York competitive bowling community who are fighting cancer, survived cancer, or have went down swinging themselves. This is much more than a bike ride for me — it’s my commitment to help find a cure for cancer.

By the way, not only do I take rides on my bicycle, I used to roll the rock at the local bowling centers, I own a clear bowling ball that was manufactured for Storm Bowling Products and X Out Breast Cancer in which sales of this ball benefits breast cancer research, prevention, assessment and treatment. Thank you to my dear friends Donna Connor, Co-Owner of Carol Norman's Pro Shop in Houston TX, and United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Liz Johnson from Niagara Falls for the hookup in obtaining this bowling ball a couple years ago. Even though I won't be using it to shoot spares in bowling competition any time soon as injuries have terminated my competitive bowling career, I will always have that ball near me!! 

Please consider making a donation today to help me reach (and exceed) my fundraising goal. Together, we can help find cancer cures and save lives. Again, thank you so much for what you do to help us in this incredible cause!

And I'm looking forward to the 2023 RIDE FOR ROSWELL!  With my wife Patti and the rest of the Roswell Cessation Services Team who I've befriended through the years during her nearly 20 years working as one of the Cessation Services team members at Roswell Park!  Patti has been my inspiration in the fight to defeat this deadly disease, no doubt!!  Patti encouraged me to buy a brand-new bicycle for the Ride a few years ago, and encouraged me to get off my fat and lazy butt and prepare for the Ride!!

And if you haven't already done so, please consider making that donation today to help find cures for this rotten disease. Together, we can make a difference.

Best regards!

FRAN BAX

PS: F**K YOU CANCER!!