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Click Here to read "Mum", a poem by Donna's son Dylan Hi there, my name is Donna Handley, I’m also known to the Amazon-Heart Changing Gears Warriors as Sydney Donna (the Good Aussie). I live on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, in the hills of Narrabeen. It is an amazingly beautiful place to live in, bush land and beaches. This May I’ll turn 39. Ive been married to my hubby Dave for 16 years, been with him for twenty years. We have 2 sons, Dylan-14 years and Liam-nearly 10. We have a great family life. I am a very homely person with a strong desire for adventure. I’m also a mad gardener, love to cook and love doing mosaics, and if anything stands still too long I’ll mosaic it………. For the last 16 years I have been a self-employed businesswoman having run 2 successful Catering businesses 24/7. It was extremely hard work, every weekend and into the wee hours of the weekend mornings. I never sat still, for fear I might relax, and honestly I was looking for a way out of that madness. Then bang, on my 35 th birthday in May 2001, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. That really sucked. The tumor was Grade 3, aggressive, the size of a grape. It turned my world upside down. Surgery was a lumpectomy, full node removal, 6 months of Chemo and 2 months of Radio and an ongoing struggle with lymphedema . Unsuccessful in selling the Catering business, we chose to shut it down and I just kept one weekly job. That one job was great because it kept me focused on the real world and forced me to function, when I wasn’t sleeping that is… (And I slept right through all the treatment.) Now I practice yoga and meditation and it has helped enormously in my healing. Support groups also worked for me and were a big part of my recovery. Much to my amazement and everyone else’s, I went out and got my bike license in January 2003 on my little 250cc and then went straight out and bought a 750cc. I’m now passionate about riding and touring, and have done many rides up and down Sydney’s coastline and into country NSW and once to New Zealand. I just love the fact that all you have to pack is a toothbrush and a pair of undies, (oh, and the lippie) organize the kids for a sleepover and you’re off. Which then lead me to - July 2004, when I was chosen to be one of 5 Aussies to represent Australia in the adventure of a lifetime with Amazon Heart with 20 other Breast Cancer survivors riding Harley’s up the West Coast of California. It‘s the coolest thing I’ve ever done, so much so that now I’m addicted and I’m going back for more. The UK, August 2005 and The Aussie ride, October 2005. I’m so excited about both rides, but I’m particularly excited about leading a group of girls up the Aussie coast from Sydney (my turf) to Brisbane. Thank you I’m honored. Next year I will be turning 40 and with that I will celebrate being 5 years clear. God I’m glad to be alive. Dave and I will ride New Zealand again to celebrate. An open invitation to you all. To Megan and Meredith, thank you for choosing me, I have enjoyed every moment with you so far, you both are absolutely amazing. Thank you for what you’re doing. My love to you both. To all my crazy Yankee friends making the trip over to Australia, I can’t wait to see you again, to hug, laugh and cry and ride you through our beautiful country. To all the new riders I’m yet to meet, congratulations and welcome aboard and I can’t wait to meet you and to have some seriously good life with you.
Australian Donors: Click Here to Donate Now! U.K. Donors: Click Here to Donate Now!
Donna in the News "Breast Cancer Survivors" "Girls Changing Gears" "Donna Riding High Again" "On Their Bikes for Breast Cancer" "Beating Cancer Inspires Road Trip" "Survivors Join Motorbike Ride" "When Life Throws You a Curve Ball, Ride With it Girl" "Changing Gears for Breast Cancer"
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