Karen "Squirt" Sheppard Brisbane, Queensland Australia Amazon Heart Thunder United States 2006 Australia 2006 and 2009 Experienced Rider Click Here to Donate Now!

In March 2001 I was 27 years old and diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  I felt very isolated as I had not met nor heard of anyone else my age affected by Breast Cancer.  There was no family history of any cancer let alone Breast Cancer, what did this mean, was I going to die?  Any time I was at the hospital I was constantly asked if I was there to support my mother whilst she was in for treatment, other women were astounded to hear my response.  I was actually being supported by my mother.

During treatment I realised life was too short to keep playing it “safe”; I made the decision, against the wishes of my family, to get my motorcycle licence.  After all if cancer didn’t kill me I wanted to live life to it’s fullest.  I’m not a daredevil on the bike, I abide by the rules of the road, but you can sense the environment as you ride down the road, smell the rain, hear the ocean and feel the wind on your face.

I joined Women’s International Motorcycle Association (WIMA) late in 2004.  When I heard their charity ride was in support of Breast Cancer I was amazed that there was a group of women wanting to raise money for a cause close to my heart, I was definitely going to join in.  Unfortunately timing in 2004 didn't suit but in 2005, 2006 & 2007 I was heavily involved in the Pink Ribbon rides.  WIMA’s Pink Ribbon Rides attract an average participation of 1000 bikes.  I was Tail-end Charlie in 2005 and even got up and spoke to the crowd.  For the first time spoke to anyone and everyone about what I had gone through. It was definitely a day of highs and lows, I found out what Amazon Heart Thunder was all about as the girls joined our ride for the final day of their first Australian adventure.

Amazon Heart has changed me in many ways; I now call myself as a “survivor”!  In 2006 I discovered that is was ok to be angry or upset that this had happened to me.  I was able to talk to other survivors and realise that what I felt and had gone through was perfectly normal as they too had similar experiences.  The US gals even gave me my biker nickname – Squirt, there is a story behind the name and I love it.  I rode a Harley for the first time during these rides and knew I just had to get one of my own sooner rather than later.  In May 2008 my dream bike - a Heritage Classic Softail was delivered with my name on her; I will be riding this bike during the 2009 ride.

Since the rides in 2006 I have found support in not only my AHT sisters but I have joined “Missabittatitti” Dragons Abreast in Brisbane, Kim Walters Choices Program support groups (Young Women’s and Women Who Partner Women).  I didn’t know about any of these groups at the time of my diagnosis, nearly 8 years down the track I am not only able to give support to those newly diagnosed but I get something back from these ladies too.

In 2009 I will be attending the International Conference – Reach to Recovery, which will be held in Brisbane.  I hope to meet many other Young survivors and find other ways to spread the word to young women that there is life after a diagnosis of breast cancer.  The AHT ride will start the week following the conference.  Amazon Heart is a fantastic peer support program for women all over the world, my AHT sisters have been positive role models for me and now I want to be one for others I meet on this ride.

Life is full of first’s … I feel you need to make the most of each and every day and take all the chances you can as you only live once.

Click Here to Donate Now!