Hello Friends and Family,
Once again, I will be biking the Clean Air Challenge, a fundraiser for The American Lung Association. The first time I rode was over 10 years ago. I remember biking it with Jeff when he wore a garbage bag for 60 miles hoping it would keep him dry from all the rain. It was a fun, wet ride but back then, it was just a ride.
Now, it is more than a just a fun bike ride. I bike for my Mom. I bike in her honor, her memory and most of all I bike because I miss her so much and I know she would want me to keep on riding.
Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010 after finding a lump on her neck. She never smoked, and it caught us all by surprise. She endured 2 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation that left her unable to swallow and burns on her chest.
Yet in 2011, my mom, a survivor taught herself how to ride a recumbent bike and we rode the Clean Air Challenge together. One week later we found out that the headaches she was having on the bike ride was from brain tumors.
The radiation and steroids made her too weak to ride a bike in 2012, but that didn't stop her. She still did the ride, in a car and she cheered for my brother and sister-in-law the first 60 miles and me the second 60 miles. Of course, she enjoyed a victory ride margarita at the bar in Talkeetna.
Team Nan was formed in 2013 in the memory of Nancy (NanNan) Ferrell.
Since then it has become a family and friends ride. Madison, Audrey and Jeff will be biking again along with dear friends. Last year there were more kids on Team Nan than adults. We have loved biking with friends in the past years and greatly appreciate their support. Mom's riding again this year. I'll be taking some of her with me and will spread some of her ashes along the way. I think she would have liked that. Once again Team Nan will ride, so proud and strong, as we pedal in Nancy (NanNan) Ferrell’s memory.
Here I am, AGAIN, asking for money to support me as I bike for Mom and the American Lung Association. I greatly appreciate your past, present, and future support. I'm looking forward to another incredible ride with friends and family!
Cheers!
Dana
