Rider, 51 Cape Town, Rondebosch
Sometimes we take our waking day for granted , frittering it away without savouring it. Sometimes we wish away the present and yearn for a something different tomorrow, sometimes we dwell too long on what we could have had and the past. When you are a survivor of any kind, life is not just there anymore. Each new day is precious. Facing your own mortality comes with this gift. The gift of being able to live in full consciousness and being grateful every day.
For me the Journey of Hope is not just about the celebration of life for the 15 riders. It is a tribute to those women who have lost the battle; a campaign to encourage all women to be vigilant; stressing the importance of early detection to as many women as possible and banishing the stigma and fear around breast cancer. Yes, it is scary, yes it is rough, but the fear and the rough make you stronger. I want to use that strength and share it, motivate women to go for check ups, do self-examination. I want woman to trust their gut and instinct – if you think something is wrong, don't let it go. Early detection can save your life.
I was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2000. My sons were 8 and 11 years old and had extensive surgery. My biggest fear was leaving them – it was overwhelming and all encompassing. In fact all I asked was to 'survive until they had both matriculated.' My youngest son matriculated last year, the same year I was diagnosed with my second bout of breast cancer. (it did strike me at the time that I should have negotiated a bit harder…) I had surgery and radiation last year and although I have another four years of hormone therapy, I am fine now.
Just like any other challenge in life, breast cancer knocked me flat in many ways and I would be dishonest if I did not admit that I struggled mentally and physically for a long time. But you accept those things you cannot change and at the other end of the scale, I have been given the opportunity to enjoy life in full, to take on challenges and embrace them. I was given the gift of being hyper aware of the preciousness of being with my children and savouring it. I have been very, very lucky.
I do not pretend that the trip on the Harley's is not intimidating. But it is an honour and privilege to be part of this incredible team. It is another challenge one which I am looking forward to facing. I am taking this journey in memory of Jenny Kipling, my dear friend who did not survive breast cancer, as well as to play some small role in educating and creating awareness about early detection. Education is empowerment and if I can empower even one women enough to save her life it would have been worth it.
Erma Bombeck, wrote this in her famous poem, If I had my life to live over' after she found out her breast cancer had spread:
'But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.'
Well, I have been given another two shots at life and it has allowed me not to survive but to live in glorious milliseconds not days or weeks or months. I salute my fellow riders on their journey.
May we all continue to seize the day.
DONATE TO THE RIDER'S FUNDRAISING
Funds raised from Rider fundraising initiatives are used for awareness and education campaigns of the importance of early detection, as well as to provide support to people with breast cancer in less fortunate areas.
