Karen Levy Emlenton, Pennsylvania United States Amazon Heart Thunder United States 2008 Experienced Rider Click Here to Donate Now!

Hello Friends:

In August of 2004, at the age of 42, I was diagnosed with stage 2B Ductal Carcinoma, estrogen positive, HER 2 negative cancer with positive nodes.  That was the month that my life really changed.  I would not necessarily say it changed for the worst as you might think being diagnosed with cancer.  That is when I knew I had to sink or swim, and you bet I swam.  I truly began to appreciate all aspects of life. 

The worst part of being diagnosed with cancer was having to tell my then 15 year old daughter, who lost her father at the age of 12.  I knew I had to be a fighter and win this battle since I was her only parent.

With the help of family, friends and co-workers, I made it through a modified radical mastectomy, four months of dose dense chemotherapy every other Friday, reconstructive surgery on my right breast and reduction of my healthy breast. 

I was once told by a long-time survivor friend to get up in the morning, put your lipstick on, a smile on your face and go.  That is exactly what I did. 

I remember shortly after my surgery, I tucked my drains in a fanny pack and off I went on my little purple sportster.  It wasn't a long ride but it was a ride.  The wind blowing in my face was just a great feeling of freedom and my mind was on nothing else but the open road. 

I am sincerely honored to be part of this powerful event beginning on September 4, 2008, when for ten days, women from all walks of life come together for a 1,000 mile ride, united together - a force of strong women - women survivors - riding to pay tribute to those who have lost the battle to Breast Cancer, to those who are still fighting, and for those who do not yet know it but will become one of the many diagnosed with Breast Cancer. 

I would like your help and I have three things to ask of you:  1) Please pass this letter along to all of your friends, family members and co-workers so we can continue to reach out, as far as possible, to raise funds for this cause; 2) please help me by contributing all that you can, to not only meet my fundraising goal, but to hopefully exceed it; and 3) remind every woman that you love in your life to make sure they get their annual mammogram without fail.  It could save their life.

Thank you.

Karen Levy

Click Here to Donate Now!