Suzanna Ochse Lilydale, Victoria Australia Amazon Heart Thunder Australia 2005 and 2007 Experienced Rider Australian Donors: Click Here to Donate Now! All other Donors: Click Here to Donate Now!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer November 2001. Apart from anything else it left me speechless!! What’s with this?? I really do not have time for this in my life. I had a radical mastectomy and became part of a drug trial - using the drug herceptin as an adjunctive to chemotherapy – so all up 16 months of chemo. This was an interesting time and the 3 rd floor at Box Hill hospital became almost a second home to me.

My husband (an avid rider who had gotten me into riding) noticed a Changing Gears article in Two Wheels magazine in March 2005 and said “you should do this!” Being the ever obedient wife – I applied and went on my first adventure October 2005 – Sydney to Brisbane. I was not prepared for the impact this had on me. I had had breast cancer – been there done that and hadn’t really spent a lot of time analysing the event but meeting all the other girls and hearing stories made things more real for me and I began to really realise what I had been through.

So – this year is huge for me – I have decided to do the UK ride (as I will be visiting my daughter in Zurich at about that time – so why not!) and the Melbourne to Adelaide (which is right in my backyard) I am so looking forward to connecting with new and old friends.

My family are very proud and supportive of me so I feel very blessed.

Amazon Heart has truly put the message out that being diagnosed with breast cancer isn’t the end of the journey – but the start of an amazing new journey filled with courageous and wonderful women and I feel very fortunate to be involved.

Suzanna Ochse

Australian Donors:
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All other Donors:
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