Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is hosting its first Annual Bike for Prevention Bike-A-Thon virtually on a local and national scale from Monday, April 19th, 2021 to Sunday, April 25th, 2021. The Bike-A-Thon will feature national chairs, Jen Hanks and Ellen Noble, as well as local chair, Walter Rodin Jr.
Jen Hanks is an elite mountain bike racer and two-time breast cancer survivor. Over the course of her treatment, Jen has undergone a total of ten surgeries, two rounds of chemotherapy, and radiation. Hanks comments “Currently, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. I was one of those women when at 35 years old I was diagnosed with breast cancer and two years later had a recurrence. Through MBCC’s work of advocating against the environmental causes of breast cancer and stopping it before it starts, I am hopeful that far fewer people will face a breast cancer diagnosis in the future.”
Ellen Noble is a professional cyclocross and mountain bike racer. Noble has won four national championships and 2 Pan-American Championships; she hopes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics! Ellen shares, “I lost my dad, Tom Noble, to stage IV colon cancer in 2012. Given my personal connection with my own health, as well as my connection to cancer because of losing my dad, I feel very connected to the mission of MBCC and am very excited to work with them on prevention in such meaningful ways.”
Walter Rodin Jr. is the manager of Dyer Electric Company, a family business located in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Walter is an avid long-distance bicyclist and will be assembling a team to join him in raising funds for prevention. Walter comments, “We as a family have had to fight cancer hard and together. Cancer does not discriminate; it can affect anyone, regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender identity, religion or orientation. Success in beating this deadly disease takes great pride and courage.”
Cheryl Osimo, MBCC’s Executive Director, says, “We are very excited and grateful to Jen, Ellen, and Walter for supporting this inaugural event, especially since they all understand the importance of raising awareness of cancer-causing agents in the environment. It is our hope that others will be inspired by their passion and activism to join MBCC in biking to raise funds for breast cancer prevention starting April 19th.” Participants can ride 1 mile or more, either outdoors on their favorite route or indoors on a stationary bike. For those interested who do not have a bike, MBCC invites them to participate on foot and either walk or run any distance of their choosing. All registered participants will receive a free t-shirt.
To learn how to make a pledge, please visit www.mbcc.org/bike or by calling 1-800-649-MBCC (6222).
