Why I Ride, My Personal Cancer Success Story!
by Jennifer Valladares
I am grateful to have found the Tour de Pier. Since 2014, I have been riding at this event. As some of you know I will be riding in the Tour de Pier in Manhattan Beach on Sunday, May 17th, 2020. This is an event that supports the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the Cancer Support Community of Redondo Beach and the Uncle Kory Foundation.
For the past 6 years I have been participating in Tour de Pier. I ride to honor my Grandmother and my Aunt who both passed away from cancer along with wanting to support those in our community facing cancer.
On December 12, 2018 cancer invaded my life. For the following 6 months I went through intense chemotherapy 5 days a week, every 3 weeks. It was the most frightening and difficult time in my life. Today, I am cancer free and thankful to be alive – YEAH!!!
I am beyond grateful for the Cancer Support Community of Redondo Beach. The CSC team helped me so much during my treatment and continue to support me now that I’m cancer-free. I attend a support group every week which is an incredible gift. It is good to know that I paid it forward before December 2018 and I intend to continue raising awareness and supporting the Cancer Support Community of Redondo Beach.
I think the most important lesson I learned from this battle is gratitude. I am so grateful for my life. When I first got the diagnosis, I felt like it was a death sentence. The cancer made me realize that I have a life to live, and I’m going to live it. I ride the Tour de Pier to honor those who have lost the battle, to support those who are fighting the battle, for myself, to know that I’m not alone in this battle.
This year, 2020, I am honored to be riding with my awesome spin instructor, PK at 12:30 for this amazing event. If you are able to support me with a donation I would greatly appreciate it! Please donate through the link below. And thank you again.. very much!