When I would help transport my mom to her chemo appointments or listen to her talk about her experiences - it never occurred to me the severity of what she was dealing with. At age 16, my only concern was basketball practice and school dances - little did I know that I was living the last two years I had left with my mom. 

Life was too short for her, defeated by her fight with cancer on October 27, 2007 - at age 50. The last time I saw my mom was in the picture on this profile in early 2007 as I graduated Air Force Boot Camp as she was able to join me in celebration. Mom was the kind of person that would literally give you the shirt off her back, she ALWAYS put herself last and made sure everyone was taken care of. This type of personality, this type of caring for others - I only hope I can live up to one day.   

Caner would not stop there, as another parent – this time my Dad began his fight with cancer. Tearing through his body, multiple surgeries later also lost his battle to cancer on February 26, 2021

Cancer doesn’t care. 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 the 2023 Ride for Roswell.

Please help me raise critically needed funds to support the thousands of patients who turn to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center for hope each year. Your donation provides funding researchers need right now to investigate new treatment options that could save lives. For every dollar donated, Roswell Park can leverage an additional $13 in new grant funding!

Please consider donating today. Together, we can end cancer!