Dear friends and family,

Over the last 15 years, I have been proud to ride for Roswell Comprehensive Cancer Center and for the last 8 years for Kids Just Want to Have Fun. My family and close friends have been lucky to have stayed healthy and cancer free, so my rides have been dedicated to those who have been fighting or have lost their lives to cancer, concentrating on pediatrics. Well, this is my 16th year riding, and it’s become personal. My family and close friends have suffered a very tough fall season with 3 diagnosed with cancer. I am proud to say that all 3 have been fighting the good fight with Roswell and have had success. This year my ride is dedicated to my mother, my uncle and my cousin Liz who is on her way to remission after a bone/ blood cancer diagnosis in October and a Stem Cell transplant in February after months of chemo. She is one of the matriarchs to my family, and to watch the pain, suffering, and uncertainty for months was an eye opening experience to say the least. I was so relieved when she joined with Roswell, knowing she was getting the best treatment in this country. The amazing advancements Roswell has made in this particular cancer is astonishing and I look ahead to Liz’s future with her 4 kids and soon to be 2 grandchildren. 

I plan to ride in 2 rides, one on Grand Island, and the other on June 24th at the Ride for Roswell event. Both rides will be a little over 50 miles and although I do not have the body I did 16 years ago, and will be sure to endure some pain, I remind myself of what cancer patients go through when fighting, and magically that pain subsides. Please join me in making a difference this year by donating to my ride. Funds raised support cutting-edge research and compassionate, innovative patient care programs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Together, we can help me reach my personal goal of $1600 and add on to the over 5 million dollars raised in the past year alone ($700,000 from Kids Just Want to Have Fun whose cofounder, Kathy Curatolo,  just lost her battle in July after 50 years at Roswell)

As always, thank you for your generosity.

Maria