Cancer has affected my life in so many ways. Throughout the years I’ve seen so many friends and family members fight their cancer battles, though many won…there were 2 important people in my life that lost. In 2016 I lost my friend Warren “Buddy" Oderkirk to Rhabdomyosarcoma. In 2021 I lost my Grandpa Wommack to Leukemia / Salivary Gland Cancer. But I think the cancer diagnosis that affected me the most was my Mom’s Stage 3 Rectal Cancer diagnosis in 2018. I remember her calling me after a routine colonoscopy to tell me that the doctor’s found a mass. I remember the pain in my chest as I sat on my Mimi’s couch sobbing at the thought that I could lose my Mom. Praying to God that the mass was benign. Unfortunately, the next day my Mom received her diagnosis. My world flipped upside down. I’d never been so scared. But my Mom was determined to fight. Many rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and a permanent colostomy bag later…my Mom was finally in remission. I watched her fight for so long. I watched her deal with the nausea, the neuropathy, the anxiety and stress. She was an inspiration and a rock through it all. This April 2024 she’ll celebrate 5 years in remission! I’m so unbelievably proud of the obstacles she’s overcome. When I met my (now fiancé) Marcus & his Mom, Maryann Salvadore, I saw how much Roswell had done for them and how much Maryann has benefited from the care she’s received through them. Maryann was diagnosed with end of life Multiple Myeloma when Marcus was just 12 years old. “At the time of her diagnosis, the cancer had already metastasized throughout her body, attacking 90% of her bone marrow." But with the help of Roswell she was able to join a clinical trial that has saved her life. 15 years later & she’s still here! She lit the torch for the Ride for Roswell in 2023 and she’s been a huge supporter and light for those at Roswell ever since she started receiving care there. Having two strong women that have impacted my life so much go through cancer has been a roller coaster to say the least. But seeing what Roswell has done for their patients has given me hope. I’ve been apart of the Ride for Roswell the past 2 years! Whether I’m helping out in the tent or riding, every year I do my best to raise money for Team Salvadore Pedal Power. If you can, I’d greatly appreciate your donation (or even just sharing my fundraiser page) to Roswell, with your help we can help find a cure for cancer! Let’s do this in honor or my Mom, Maryann and all those who have battled against this awful disease!