I Ride for You.

Cancer has touched each and every one of us. For some, that becomes much more personal. My story is not short or simple. At age 27, cancer knocked on my door and took the life of my first wife and unborn son. Ann and Scott. My daughter, Jennifer, was only 3 when brain cancer began to take her mother. Ann fought tremedously and I watched as the life was being drained from her everyday throughout her battle. During her care, I noticed she would always light up when we went to radiology. That glint in her eyes--that cancer took--would always come back. It was at that point that I realized I also needed to change. 

I was an engineer at the time and went back to school, specifically, in radiology. Today I am proud to be a CT tech, caring for those battling cancer. I hope to bring "that glint" in every one of my cancer patient's eyes. A few years ago, cancer came knocking at my door again. My daughter, now an adult, was told she had uterine cancer and she would need a hysterectomy to save her life. Jennifer and her husband would never have children of their own. I realized I would never be a grandpa but I am blessed to have my daughter in my life. Thankfully she is now cancer free. 

Just before meeting my current wife, Jessica Litera Willis, her father was diagnosed with lung cancer. In July 2000, shortly after his diagnosis, cancer took Timothy Litera, a military veteran and a retired Alaska State Trooper. I was never blessed to meet Tim because I met Jessica in 2002. I'm riding in honor of Tim.

Our lives have often been changed many times by these three word phrases, "I love you," "I'm coming home," and "I'm with child." I ride so your life is never changed by these three words, "YOU HAVE CANCER."