Linnea "Pippi" Johnston Cedar Ridge, California United States Amazon Heart Thunder United States 2005 and 2007 Experienced Rider   Click Here to Donate Now!

Five years ago…has it really been that long? At age thirty three, on September 5^th of 2002, I was diagnosed with Stage I invasive ductal carcinoma. I attacked the invasion in my body aggressively with six months of chemotherapy and six different surgeries. That was then…this is now.

I am honored and thrilled to participate in this year’s Amazon Heart Thunder motorcycle adventure this September 15^th-22^nd not only to celebrate my own survivorship, but to honor the lives of my friends who are still battling the beast and to keep the spirit alive of those who are no longer with us. This event not only brings together and bonds amazing, beautiful and strong survivors; it also helps change the perception of who a breast cancer survivor is and what she is capable of doing.  

This inspirational journey is a life changing experience for those involved with the ride and those who come in contact with it. Over the course of this week we will raise awareness of breast cancer and in particular young survivors’ issues, raise funds for local breast cancer charities and build a supportive community with our fellow survivors.

Funds raised during this ride will support the Young Survival Coalition and the development and implementation of Amazon Heart's peer support projects. The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the only international, non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer. Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC seeks to educate the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities and to persuade them to address breast cancer in women 40 and under. The YSC also serves as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer. The YSC has been my source of peer support before, during and after my treatment.

If this event encourages just one young woman to demand that second, life-saving, opinion after being told “you’re too young to get breast cancer,” then my trip will be a success. If the roar of Harleys in the distance makes another young survivor smile because she now knows she is not alone, my trip will be worth while. When the wind wipes away my tears as we roar though cities and towns I will be reminded of how far my Amazon sisters and I have come and how strong we all are.

Your donation to support my participation in Amazon Heart Thunder will help the thousands of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year access the support they need. Thank you for your generosity! Linnea AKA Pippi

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