Linda Settlemyer South San Francisco, California United States Amazon Heart Thunder United States 2009 Experienced Rider Click Here to Donate Now!

I’m really looking forward to participating in the 2009 Amazon Heart Thunder Breast Cancer Survivors Adventure, a motorcycle ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco.  I have participated in Breast Cancer walks in the past, both as a walker and a crewmember, but this will be my first time participating in a motorcycle adventure of this magnitude. 

My journey with breast cancer began in February of 1999, after a lump that had been misdiagnosed as a benign cyst a year earlier was in fact found to be cancer.  The surgeon I was sent to for my biopsies was a breast specialist, which ended up being a Godsend.  She was the first person to say, “I think there’s a 50/50 chance it’s Cancer.  Have someone drive you here next week and I’ll give you the results.  By the way, do you need someone to come get you now or can you drive home?”  I couldn’t believe how sensitive she was about how the news might affect me, and my ability to drive safely!  What started out as a pea size lump was now about the size of an egg, and had spread to my lymph nodes.  Over the next ten months I received 6 rounds of Chemotherapy, had a radical mastectomy with lymph node dissection, two more rounds of Chemotherapy, lost my hair twice, and had six weeks of radiation.  Fortunately through all of this I had the love and support of my two beautiful daughters, Kristen and Kimberly.  Being fourteen at the time, they especially loved helping me pick out wigs.   

About five years ago, a friend asked me what I was doing in support of Breast Cancer.  I wasn’t doing anything.  He then convinced me to start participating in Breast Cancer walks, which I have been since 2004.  Because this year is my 10-year survivor anniversary I decided I needed to do something special to mark the occasion.  In the summer of 2006 I had taken a Motorcycle Safety Course, and bought a motorcycle, but hadn’t ridden a lot.  In April of 2007 I met Ginny McClellan a 2007 and 2008 rider in this same event, while she was raising funds for her ride.   She gave me an information sheet, which I filed away in my motorcycle file. I wanted to participate, but didn’t see how I would be able to that year.  I recently came across that sheet and said, “This is what I need to do to celebrate my 10 years!”   It is a commitment in which I will need to spend lots of time getting road-ready for the event, as well as raising funds for the Young Survival Coalition.  I’m looking forward to participating in the journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco.  I have committed to raising a minimum of $1,500.00, and hope to raise even more.  Please help me reach these goals by making a donation!           

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