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Jamie Lang Anchorage, Alaska, United States   Changing Gears US 2004 Experienced Rider

My parents moved me from Wisconsin to Alaska at the age of 13, because they fell in love with the place while on vacation the previous summer. I graduated from high school and college in Alaska; my BA in English was useful in my volunteer work as the editor of the “HOG Jaw Herald” – Alaska HOG Chapter 66’s monthly newsletter.

I’ve been riding with my husband for the last six summers; I was “kicked off” his bike when I was too pregnant to ride on the back any longer – which was the best way for me to learn to ride, otherwise I might have been content to hang out on the back forever.

I have two daughters, aged 5.9 years and 9 months. Madeleine (5.9 years) was with us – Jon, Madeleine and I, through the breast cancer diagnosis, surgeries, chemotherapy, etc. After my reconstruction and the final tattooing of the nipples she told me, “Mom, when I get older, I’m going to get purple stars with glitter tattooed on my nipples.” This girl knows more about breast cancer than many adult women do!

Genevieve (9 months) was an oopsy baby. The chemotherapy had thrown me into chemo-induced menopause that lasted about one year. I realized that everything, including my periods worked again, but didn’t really think I could get pregnant after all that chemotherapy. However, the day we returned to Alaska after 14 days on Kauai, (and after buying many boxes of tampons “just in case” with wishful thinking that my period would start because I bought so many tampons) I discovered I was 5 weeks pregnant.

This day also happened to coincide with delivery of my new 2003 BMW F650 CS! What an exhilarating day February 13, 2003 was – I returned from the tropics of Hawaii just hours before, discovered I was pregnant in the wee morning hours, then rode my new bike home in the 40 degree weather and slushy roads, dreaming of my next baby.

Breast cancer made me realize that life is too short not to do the things I want. As soon as chemotherapy end was in sight, I ordered a 2001 Harley-Davidson Low Rider; that summer I rode nearly 6000 miles. Riding has become way more important than I ever thought it would – it’s kind of like my own personal therapist now. Breast cancer also made me realize that my volunteer work could be put towards “the cause” in Alaska.

My husband Jon and I have participated in many news articles, stories etc. usually about young breast cancer survivors and their families. We’ve spoken with newly diagnosed families at the largest breast cancer support group meeting Alaska has to offer. Jon and I have also been featured in a national movie, “Beyond Flowers – What to Say and Do When Someone You Know Has Breast Cancer.” I’ve given speeches for the YWCA of Anchorage and participated, twice, in the national program “Casting for Recovery”.

With the local motorcycle community, I started Alaska HOG’s (now) traditional Alaska Run for Women walking and running participant group. I continue to support this run with both Women on Wheels and HOG participating.

In 2001, I started Laughing Ravens Chapter of Women on Wheels. I worked to grow the group for the past few summers (between having chemotherapy and babies) and this year the women and I felt comfortable enough to expand our normal riding schedule and step into new territory by doing a fundraising poker run. We held our first annual Pink Ribbon Ride July 10 th, 2004 and raised money for Breast Cancer Focus Inc. We raised $1,210 – four times our goal! The ladies and I were ecstatic about our success and we’ve already started talking about next year’s Pink Ribbon Ride.

For the last two years I volunteered as shadow then co-chair for Breast Cancer Focus, Inc (BCFi). This year BCFi raised a record amount of money, which has since been granted out to grantees in our community and throughout the State of Alaska for education, advocating and research.

I love the Changing Gears ride concept and I’m looking forward to meeting women my own age that have experienced breast cancer – and now get to experience riding together. The riding world is quite small, but the YOUNG breast cancer survivor world is much smaller, so for me to be able to meet and connect with YOUNG breast cancer survivors would be absolutely fabulous! I can already see riding trips being planned with these women in the future!

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