Adalgisa "Gigi" McKay Belfair, Washington United States Amazon Heart Thunder United States 2005 and 2006 Experienced Rider Click Here to Donate Now!

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.

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 I learned that I was going to have a baby. 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!

Last year I was honored to have been chosen as one of the riders in the Amazon Heart California ride. It was amazing and changed me forever. Megan & Meredith are so special to me, they are what brought all these wonderful women together in such a great way. We shared, we bonded, as a group of women on Harley-Davidson motorcycles we sure did raise awareness! But most of all we made lifelong friends!

This past year since the ride has been quite a challenge. Had some medical problems and ended up having my gallbladder removed along with part of my liver. It seems that breast cancer decided to take up residence on my liver. Finished up my chemo three weeks ago and am getting stronger everyday. As a matter of fact I will be racing a hydroplane this weekend! Wish me luck…

Once again looking forward to an adventure of a lifetime I have signed on to do Amazon Heart Thunder 2006! I belong to a women’s motorcycling club and my Sisters all pitched in to make items for sale which began my fundraising in Athens, GA at the AMA Women’s Motorcycling Conference. My Amazons WMC Sisters have been support riders for Amazon Heart events since 2004, they rock!

Ride ON

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