In 2019, Debbie joined Team Rhondafied, a team formed in memory of her colleague and friend, Rhonda, who died of cancer that summer. “Everyone loved Rhonda,” Debbie said.

Debbie registered to ride 15 miles in 2019. One of her favorite parts of the ride was at packet pickup, where she participated in the tradition in ringing the Bike to Beat Cancer bell as a first-time rider.

“I want to ring the bell every time,” Debbie said. “That was such a highlight!”

This was Debbie’s first organized ride, and she was grateful for the support and rest stops along the way. She took the ride slow, one pedal rotation at a time. As she rode, she thought about Rhonda, the patients at the Norton Cancer Institute, family members who survived cancer and those who didn’t. Crossing the finish line was a special moment for Debbie, as was receiving her medal.

“Seeing all those people cheering you on was tremendous!” Debbie said. “Getting my medal was awesome!”

In 2020, Debbie began training earlier. She mapped out her own training schedule on paper. Each week, she would add an additional mile to her training until she reached 15 miles. She trained in her neighborhood where there are hills and prepared for her ride.

Debbie encourages anyone who is thinking about registering for Bike to Beat Cancer to just “go for it.”

According to Debbie, potential participants shouldn’t sweat the fundraising component of the ride, because it is for a great cause, and their friends, family, neighbors and other connections will want to contribute. Debbie always donates to herself to get it started, and she sees it take off from there.

“Everyone has to experience the camaraderie and see Bike to Beat Cancer,” Debbie said. “I’m going to do this every year!”

The post After years of watching, Debbie Cobb decided to ride appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

We met not long after I moved here from Cincinnati for a career change. After several years, we both went our separate ways, but still stayed connected.

Ultimately, we both landed at Norton Healthcare — Rhonda as system director of research and me as director of communications.

Through nearly 20 years of bunco games, lunches and dinners, we talked through the joys and trials of raising kids and navigating work and family life. I knew all about her son’s athletic endeavors, and I was there when she landed at the airport in Louisville with her newly adopted daughter in her arms.

I also was there as Rhonda took some of her last breaths. Rhonda was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma this past winter. She bravely battled the disease with the same fire, determination and pure joy in which she approached all aspects of her life. She ultimately lost that battle in late June.

Rhonda is why I will ride in my first Bike to Beat Cancer, and because I hate the cancer that took her, our mutual friend Peggy, my friend Val and my son-in-law’s brother Josh. The list of those who have been touched by cancer seems endless and heartbreaking.

Bike to Beat Cancer became the something I could do. The grassroots effort to raise funds to cure cancer and eliminate suffering in our own community is in its 11th year. The dollars raised go toward research, support services, educational programs and therapeutic resources for patients of Norton Cancer Institute, including kids with cancer at Norton Children’s Hospital. The 15-, 35-, 65- or 100-mile bike trek (or 5-mile family ride) is on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.

This year, I am also volunteering in a station to cheer on fellow riders. I’ll complete my 35 miles “virtually,” which means I’ll clock 35 miles within a month of the Sept. 14 event.

Last year’s 1,045 riders raised more than $603,000 for patients fighting cancer at Norton Cancer Institute and Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the University of Louisville.

You can do something about cancer too. You can learn more and donate to any team or rider (Hint: I’m Mary’s Cancer Angels on Team Rhondafied).

If you can’t donate or come out and support us that day, we’ll take all the virtual cheers you send our way.

Why will you ride — or support our riders? Your why is our why too.

The post Why do I ride in Bike to Beat Cancer? Because I miss you, Rhonda appeared first on Norton Healthcare.