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Linda Baginski Walnut, California, United States   Changing Gears US 2004 Changing Gears Australia 2005 Experienced Rider

It’s been almost ten years since my life was changed forever. Ten years since the drama of the diagnosis and the achingly slow physical recovery from surgery and chemotherapy. A decade through the journey of emotional readjustment and the continuing rediscovery of…me. Some days I wake up and wonder if it was a dream. Some days I feel like I’ve always been “a survivor” — finding it difficult to remember what life was like before breast cancer.

Because of my diagnosis and the connections I made at my treatment center, for the last eight years I have had the rewarding career of helping cancer patients through my employment in the patient education department at City of Hope Cancer Center in California. I have met extraordinary human beings that have humbled and inspired me. But I constantly would hear stories of what they would do when they recovered, if they recovered, of what they should have done before this happened. I became increasingly anxious that my someday was now and that I too should be doing those things I had long put off. So I did. I bought a Harley! Actually, we bought two.

For the last year or so, my husband and I have ridden every weekend possible. And fortunately in California we have many opportunities. Simply put, our lives have been rejuvenated. We have met and made a new set of friends through the SGV HOG Chapter. They are refreshing and real. Our outings are about the joy of the ride (and the food) and enjoying each other.

As fate would have it…the purchase of my 2003 Harley Dyna Super Glide and my breast cancer survivor status gave me yet another gift…one of those opportunities not to pass up. I applied for and was accepted to participate in the Changing Gears 2004 California Ride! For one amazing week in October, 20 incredible women (from the U.S. and Australia) united to raise funds and bring awareness to the unique issues of young breast cancer survivors. Simply put again, my life was rejuvenated. But this time, the cause significant, our focus resolute, the outcome in my opinion— historic.

So, when it was announced that there would be a Changing Gears Ride 2005 in Australia, I knew I could not say no. We “Yanks” had forged a very strong bond with the “Aussie” gals while sharing our U.S. adventure, while supporting the struggle of all women. They spoke of “OZ” so proudly, so lovingly, I longed to witness it for myself. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to bring the cause, my enthusiasm and our American spirit to Australia!

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