Back

Adalgisa (Gigi) McKay Belfair, Washington United States   Changing Gears US 2005 Experienced Rider

Riding was the thing that kept me from feeling sorry for myself and giving in to cancer. I knew that as long as I could ride I could kick cancer’s butt! I was strong because I rode…

I have been riding motorcycles since I was 12 years old. Loved riding the dirt trails around my home growing up and knew that someday I would have a “big bike” and ride on the highways. Through the following years I did not have my *own* bike to ride but rode every chance I could borrow one. Then I started a family, so having my own bike was put on hold. I did get to ride as a Motor Officer while serving as a Police Officer for a short while. I finally bought my first brand new Harley Davidson in 1998. It was a bright red 1200 Custom Sportster. My dream had come true! That bike became my sanity and best friend. I became an advocate for women riders and joined a new club of Lady Riders forming called the Amazon’s. I also became an instructor for MSF and started to teach other women how to be on the road safely. I have put many thousands of miles on since then and ride every chance I get. Riding is still my sanity and I now ride a 1998 Road King Classic that was left to me by my Uncle who died of Brain cancer. To be able to be a part of Changing Gears 2005 is a dream come true. It is so important to educate young women about breast cancer and that life does go on after a diagnosis!

I was a young mother when breast cancer first entered my life, daughter Tamara was not quite 5 years old. I was just 29 and told that this DCIS I had was not really a cancer and not to worry about it. We would do a simple lumpectomy and I would be good to go. I did not have access to all the information out there now, so I was ignorant of the dangers I faced ahead and what breast cancer is. I did not worry about breast cancer for several years after that.

In the years ahead I went through surgery, chemo and radiation for Melanoma so breast cancer took a back seat. Then in 1999, after years of taking a drug to prevent the return of the DCIS in my breast, I was devastated to learn that it was back. Also, at this time I learned that it really was breast cancer and I should be very concerned. Wow that was a shock! Once again I went through a lumpectomy and several weeks of radiation. I was at a very low period in my life and spent many hours alone on my motorcycle just riding.

In 2003 my husband and I learned that we were going to be parents. Now that was a real shock because I had been told by doctors that I could not have any more children because of all the cancer treatments I had. Most of the doctors we dealt with thought we were crazy to even try to have this baby, they kept telling us to “terminate”. In March of 2004, 6 weeks early, Harley Amber was born. She was perfect in every way and soon caught up from being a “Preemie”. Cancer also came back into my life shortly after Harley’s birth in the form of Cervical and Endometrial. More surgeries and treatments. Once again my motorcycle got me through some tough times. I could not go for long rides as weakness was a problem but I DID ride every chance I got!

My husband and I formed a racing team this year and are donating all prize and show money for cancer research. I will be soon racing a Hydroplane to raise funds and getting the word out to more people that life does go on after cancer. www.namronracing.com

Today I feel great and am very much looking forward to heading down to California for Changing Gears 2005! To be able to ride a motorcycle and raise funds for breast cancer at the same time is just awesome! I can’t wait to meet all the other strong, young women taking part in US leg of this Global Adventure. What an amazing fundraising event for young breast cancer survivors. Thank you Amazon Heart!

 Click Here to Donate Now!

Gigi in the News

"Hydroplane racers sock it to Katrina"
Tacoma Inboard Racing Association, Sept. 7, 2005

"A little bit of everything at quicksilver"
By Aaron Managhan, (Central Kitsap Reporter), Aug 17, 2005

"Sending the boys a message"
By Aaron Managhan,  (Central Kitsap Reporter), Aug 9, 2005

"$60,000 Goal Set For Cancer Walkers"
By Barbara Clark, (The Kitsap Sun), June 17, 2005