The ride begins in front of the Norton Cancer Institute, where every day, patients undergo the latest cancer treatments, research is conducted, and people support their loved ones.

For most riders, getting on the bike is personal. For Chris Crews and his wife Monica, this event is part memorial, part victory ride and part holiday.

A diagnosis

After a chiropractor’s X-ray showed some irregular results in 2010, Chris went to his family physician. There were more tests, including a CT scan and a biopsy, which confirmed the worst: cancer. Chris was eventually diagnosed with lymphoma. He was 36 years old.

Through it all, Chris’s mom, Alberta, was there for him. “She was my biggest supporter,” he said. Mother and son spoke often over the years of intense treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation. Finally, Chris was in the clear – the oncologist told him to keep up with yearly bloodwork with his regular physician.

The family didn’t have very long to revel in Chris’s cancer-free status — Alberta was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2017. During her treatment, it was Chris’s turn to be a source of comfort, information and support for his mom. “She would call to talk about treatments and what to expect and that kind of thing.”

A Special Bond

Chris and Alberta always had a close relationship. “I’m much younger than my three older siblings, so they were out of the house by then,” Chris said. He was eight when his father passed away. “It was just me and my mom.” Alberta focused on her son and her Catholic faith to get her through difficult times.

They spoke often, especially during their respective cancer diagnoses. Two themes stand out to Chris about chats during that time, wisdom from a woman who had lived 73 years in this world: life is short and take care of your health. “My diagnosis and then my mom’s diagnosis really made me aware of my health in general,” he said.

Perhaps the strong bond between mother and son, catalyzed by their cancer diagnoses, was what made her death in 2018 so devastating.

Just like riding a bike

A vacation in 2019 sparked Chris and his wife Monica into more serious cycling. “We rented bikes on the trip and when we got back, we started biking for health reasons.” That was also their first year participating in Bike to Beat Cancer.

“It’s odd, I remember my first oncology visit at Norton Cancer Institute. There were these brochures in the waiting room for Bike to Beat Cancer,” Chris said. “I thought, ‘Well, that’s interesting but that’s not for me.’” Little did he know that less than a decade later, he and his wife and a team of supporters would create their own little holiday around this event.

Since 2019, Chris, Monica, and a rotating team of family and friends have ridden in BTBC. “We have always done 35 miles, but maybe this year we will make the jump to 62, or maybe 100,” the couple said.

A Holiday in September

For the Crewses, BTBC is a celebration, a memorial and an athletic event all rolled into one two-day event. “It really starts the day before the actual ride, at the Celebration of Courage,” Chris said. “Picking up packets and so forth, it all has a very welcoming and festive feel.” The next day, after fueling up with breakfast, they head to the starting line.

“There’s a tremendous sense of community, of support,” Chris said. “They treat the riders so well, it’s a really well-run and organized event. We look forward to this all year.”

Riding this route mimics a cancer journey. “There are ups and downs, there are times when you feel really good, and times when you have to push through,” Chris said. “My mom and I, during our treatments, rallied around the idea of one day at a time. If that’s too much, get through the next 6 hours. If that’s too much, get through the next hour. Or the next 15 minutes.” The name “Team 182” is a reference to Alberta’s days in retail. “Her timeclock number was 182,” Chris said. “Her motto was to just keep going, moving forward, one foot in front of the other.” Or in this case, one more push of the pedal.

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As a two-time cancer survivor, it was overwhelming to be a part of the event’s survivor’s parade. In 2015, Claudia had melanoma. Then, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2021. It was the same year she first signed up for Bike to Beat Cancer — but her cancer diagnosis derailed those plans. Less than two years later, she was back in the ride as a survivor, healthy and overwhelmed with emotions.

“I’m not a big emotional person, but I just cried,” Claudia said. “It was amazing: the feeling that you made it, and you’re there helping other people that are coming after you. And what a difference it can make, every little bit does.”

In her job at the hospital, Claudia provides physical therapy for patients, and while she works with all types of people, she often finds herself assisting cancer patients on the oncology floor.

“I try to be someone who is there for people, especially those who don’t have support or family. I’ve been with people in the room when a doctor told them they have cancer that can never be cured,” she said.

In addition to guiding patients through their physical therapy treatment plans, Claudia tries to be a calm and supportive voice. She remembers what it was like to feel shocked and scared during her own cancer experience.

“I had to get four surgeries on my face to remove the skin cancer,” Claudia said. “After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I needed surgery, plus six months of treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation.”

According to Claudia, she was able to remain positive during her cancer journey by relying on God, her husband, Gary, and a solid group of family, close friends and her oncology team at Norton Cancer Institute. The support she received underlies her personal mission of being there for others, especially those who face similar battles.

Fighting cancer “is something you do with others — not by yourself. Especially for me, it was hard accepting help when you’re always the one building people up,” Claudia said. “It’s important to allow others to help you.”

Claudia just finished a yearlong doctorate-level certification as a precursor to launching her own business as a life coach. She plans her first group sessions to be with cancer survivors. 

For this year’s Bike to Beat Cancer, Claudia plans to do either a 15-mile or 35-mile ride. During her ride, she will rely on the support of her team, just like she did during her cancer treatment. Her goal is to cross the finish line — not only for herself, but for other cancer survivors and patients.

“The whole theme of the [ride] is what it’s going to take to try and find a cure,” she said. “It’s all about working together and relying on other people.”

Because fighting cancer takes a team. And finding a cure for cancer takes an even bigger team, a community, and a lot of hope. But with the support of others, anything is possible. Even the toughest challenges.

The post Norton Healthcare employee and two-time cancer survivor shares the power of teamwork at Bike to Beat Cancer appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

A mere two years after her diagnosis, Alberta passed away at the age of 51.

“My mother loved her family and did not want to leave us,” Brian said. “I’m sure much of her fight had to do with being there for us as long as she could. She had a sense of peace at the end of her life because of the love and support of her family and friends, as well as the peace her faith provided.”

Brian has children of his own now, and he finds himself telling his mother’s stories, using some of her favorite sayings, and remembering her love and guidance.

“She always said to give her flowers while she can smell them and that taught me the profound lesson of what it means to show love and care to people in the present moment. Expressions, actions and sentiments or love and care are to be shared, experienced and known now and not deferred to a distant time,” Brian said.

He acknowledges the role the community plays in helping support people with cancer.

“Each of the stories of victory I have heard have been so because others have joined them in the fight for their life and well-being by surrounding them with the various types of support needed. Realizing so many have not received the help they needed prior to or after the diagnosis of cancer saddens me, and I hope no one has to ever worry about whether or not they will have the resources they need,” Brian said.

He also thinks about his mom and her wisdom.

“I certainly wish she was here today,” Brian said. “We’ve all been impacted by cancer in some way either by a relative, friend or even personally.”

According to Brian, Alberta often said, “Help others when you can and always be thankful for what you have.”

That’s why Brian signed up to ride in Bike to Beat Cancer — because this is a way to help others and be thankful for what he has.

The post Why I ride: Brian Wilson appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

He found additional strength in people he met during training rides.

“I remember one guy, Bob, who’d gone through cancer,” Seth said. “After all he’d been through, he was so effortlessly tackling these hills I would struggle with. He became a role model for me.”

Seth finished that first ride with his biggest cheerleaders standing by — his parents.

“While my mom thought I was kind of crazy for trying to bike so far, she and my dad were really proud of me, because I’m a big guy, and that was by far the biggest athletic feat I’d ever accomplished.”

They continued to support him — familiar faces from the crowd cheering him on with pride — as he rode year after year.

While Seth rode for those touched by cancer, he never imagined it would hit so close to home, but in 2011, it did. That year brought a devastating cancer diagnosis for his mother and a whole new meaning behind Seth’s purpose for riding.

Seth created the team “Martha’s Squad” in honor of his mother, and members wore matching jerseys emblazoned with the team name. Martha’s Squad completed the ride together for an emotional finish that his mother made sure she was there to witness.

“Teams usually get split up as people ride at different speeds, but throughout our 100-mile ride, our team stuck together and crossed that finish line in unison,” Seth said. “The whole squad sporting my mom’s name. That was really meaningful.”

In 2012, Seth spotted his mother’s proud face, cheering him on again as he took on Bike to Beat Cancer for a fourth time.

It was in 2013 that an emptiness in the crowd weighed heavily on his heart. His mother, his cheerleader, his proud supporter, passed away about four months before the big ride.

2018 brought more heartache for Seth when his father, Tucker, a former Norton Healthcare employee and his other unwavering cycling supporter, passed away. With every pedal at Bike to Beat Cancer, he thinks of his parents. They are why he rides.

As Bike to Beat Cancer celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018, Seth made it his mission to raise enough money to honor his parents with their names on a plaque displayed at Norton Cancer Institute – Brownsboro.

Since he first hopped back on a bike in 2009, Seth has raised nearly $25,000 to help patients battling cancer at Norton Cancer Institute and Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the University of Louisville. He doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.

“I’ll continue to ride in Bike to Beat Cancer until I physically can’t or until cancer is cured,” Seth said.

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When she made the decision to take on Bike to Beat Cancer’s 35-mile ride in 2013, she rode for those loved ones as well as others fighting cancer in our community. With every push and pull of the pedals, Mary thought of their strength. With every dollar raised, she hoped for a cure.

When Mary took on the athletic endeavor of a 35-mile bike ride, she did so with the intention of giving back. She never imagined she would gain a life partner in return. She and her future husband first crossed paths on Sept. 12, 2013, during a training ride.

“Greg had lost his wife to cancer and was riding in her honor,” Mary said. “Bike to Beat Cancer is very near and dear to his heart, and he is very diligent about riding every year.”

In 2013, Mary and Greg started and finished the ride together, building a special bond as they honored loved ones taken too soon by cancer.

The following weekend, they went on their first date. The two were engaged in June 2014 and married in February 2015.

They continue to participate in Bike to Beat Cancer, year after year. The event holds a special place in their hearts because it’s where they not only honor their loved ones, but also celebrate their bond.

“We love to ride. It’s one of the things we really enjoy doing together,” Mary said. “The whole family gets involved. Our kids and in-laws join the crowd to cheer us on.”

Thus far, Mary and Greg have raised more than $20,000 to help support patients of Norton Cancer Institute and Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, and they challenge you to get involved!

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Norton Healthcare

Published: 09/05/2018

Bob D’Antoni will ride in his 10th Bike to Beat Cancer this year. An avid cyclist and 10-year cancer survivor himself, he will be riding in honor of his son, a childhood cancer survivor.

Learn more about why Bob rides.

The post Why I ride: Ed Nelson rides for his sister appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Gina Morrison, nurse navigator with Norton Cancer Institute, is already gearing up for her second year riding.

Last year, she formed “Team AYA” (Adolescent and Young Adult) and participated as a Bike to Beat Cancer spin rider — an option available for those who want to complete their miles on a spin bike instead of a road bike.

Morrison works with young adult cancer survivors. She formed the team to encourage them to get involved, get some exercise and help raise awareness. She clocked in 35 miles — a big accomplishment for a first-time rider.

Why Bike to Beat Cancer?

“I chose to ride in Bike to Beat Cancer for three reasons: The first reason is the experience I had as a volunteer last year; the participants were so encouraging, enthusiastic, happy and supportive that I could not wait to sign up to ride the following year,” she said. “Riders would stop and tell me, ‘Oh, you can do this — this is my third year,’ or ‘This is my first year and I’m doing the 65-mile ride.’ It amazed me how they were enjoying themselves.”

Morrison’s other two reasons were to inspire people to exercise and to honor her grandmother, a breast cancer survivor.

“I admire her,” she said. “She continues to battle the late effects of her breast cancer treatment and is unable to participate, so I participate for her.”

Morrison first became acquainted with cycling after participating in a Norton Cancer Institute spin program last year. The event took place at an indoor cycling studio, where she began taking weekly classes. She eventually invited her Team AYA to train with her there.

In 2018, Morrison plans to complete a longer distance of 65 or 100 miles.

“I really enjoyed completing 35 miles. However, I feel I am capable of more,” she said.

New option for 2018

The Bike to Beat Cancer will be Sept. 8, 2018, at Norton Children’s Medical Center. In addition to the 35-, 65- and 100-mile options, riders also can choose a 15-mile ride option, making it easier for people of all cycling levels to participate. A 5-mile Family Ride will be available again, where adults and children can ride a fun and leisurely path together through Norton Commons.

The spin ride option also will be offered again. Rather than hitting the road, complete your mileage goal on a stationary bike located in a spin tent at the start/finish line. Local spin class instructors will lead the spin tent. You also can spin at home or in a gym.

Join the fun!

Need more convincing to join community members and survivors for a great cause? There are plenty of reasons.

“Bike to Beat Cancer is important for several reasons: It gives us an opportunity to give back to an organization that is fighting cancer daily, be in community with one another, have fun and enjoy life! What more could you ask for?” Morrison said.

Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer, and participating in Bike to Beat Cancer is a great way to honor them.

The post 2018 Bike to Beat Cancer will offer more ways to find your inspiration appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Virtual riders may live out of town or feel uncomfortable riding on the road. They don’t even have to own a bike.

Virtual riders can compile their miles anywhere outside of the actual course. They can rack up miles along neighborhood routes, at home on a stationary bike or at a gym.

They have to complete their mileage anytime within a month of the event and can do it in segments. Virtual riders will have access to all of the training rides, fundraising tools and other benefits as other riders.

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Virtual riders who raise $400 (or $100 if you are a cancer survivor) will receive their choice of a Bike to Beat Cancer jersey or T-shirt. Virtual riders who are able to verify that they completed the distance of 35, 65 or 100 miles will receive an event medal.

There will be a Virtual Rider Spin Tent at the start/finish line at Norton Children’s Medical Center. Virtual riders can complete their miles in the tent while cheering on others rolling in from the course.

The post Virtual ride: A new spin on riding in Bike to Beat Cancer appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

For those who have spent time with me, you know I am passionate about Norton Cancer Institute’s mission to cure cancer and eliminate suffering. I’m equally as passionate about accomplishing this mission through Bike to Beat Cancer.

In case you don’t know, Bike to Beat Cancer is a one-day bicycling event in which cyclists can choose to ride 35, 65 or 100 miles. A 5-mile family ride also is available. All dollars raised go directly to support our mission at Norton Cancer Institute.

Cancer is personal to me. My mother died from chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 1991, and my dad has been battling cancer for the past four years. As an oncologist, I have spent the past two decades working with thousands of patients and families on their cancer journeys.

I know I am not alone. I’m sure cancer has touched you either personally or through a loved one. By participating in the Bike to Beat Cancer, I feel that I am able to support those who need our help. I would encourage anyone whose life has been directly or indirectly affected by cancer to ride.

“I’m not a rider,” you say. Last I checked, none of the riders on the Tour de France looked like me. So, if I can ride, most anyone can ride 35 miles with minimal training. Plus, the 5-mile distance is definitely within most anyone’s abilities.

Don’t know where to start? Don’t own bike shorts? The Bike to Beat Cancer team is here to support you along the way and get you rolling.

Don’t own a bike? Not a fan of riding on the road? We have a perfect new opportunity for you this year: the Virtual Ride. This option lets you ride from the comfort of your home or at your favorite gym. Or, you can come out and join in the excitement at the event by riding on a spin bike in our Virtual Ride tent at the finish line.

Through military service and a professional career path that brought me to Louisville and Norton Cancer Institute, I’m fortunate to have a great network of family, friends and colleagues. So I am personally reaching out to those I know across the globe and asking them to join my team and ride virtually. You can do the same!

Can you imagine having hundreds or even thousands of riders uniting around the world to join us in the fight against cancer? Wow!

The Bike to Beat Cancer truly is more than just a ride. It is determination, camaraderie, perseverance, excitement and endurance. It is an experience on wheels. With each turn of the pedal you are telling cancer you will not be defeated. You are helping us get closer to a cure.

Look, I know we’re all pulled in a million directions. I promise that whether you ride, volunteer or donate for a rider, you will find — as I have — that supporting the Bike to Beat Cancer gives you back much more than what you put into it.

Whether you do this for your own health, for team building or because you want to take a stand against cancer, I hope you will join me as we Bike to Beat Cancer. There’s also lots of yummy snacks along the way if that helps convince you to sign up.

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