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Summer 2016 : Cyclers eye the finish line

Cyclers eye the finish line

Friends create 'Wheel to Survive' to reach the end of ovarian cancer

BY Leslie Friedman

Wheel to Survive founders, from left, Jill Bach, Helen Gardner, Lynn Lentscher and Julie Shrell. Photo courtesy of Jill Bach.

The four women were friends. What brought them together wasn't a common hobby, sorority or even another friend. It was ovarian cancer.

To help fight the disease, Jill Bach, Helen Gardner, Lynn Lentscher and Julie Shrell, survivors at different stages, founded Be the Difference Foundation in 2012 and started Wheel to Survive, an indoor cycling fundraiser. The event benefits programs for women battling ovarian cancer and provides research dollars for a cure. To date, Wheel to Survive has raised more than $1.8 million from events in Dallas, Austin, San Francisco and San Diego. Its inaugural Houston event, on Sunday, Sept. 25, is co-chaired by Tracey Blumrosen and Tami Sheena, who hope to attract 300 riders.

The $50 entry fee includes a commemorative T-shirt, free training rides and a goodie bag. Participants are required to raise at least $250 for each rider on a relay team. Proceeds will support MD Anderson's Breast and Ovarian Cancers Moon Shot.

Gardner succumbed to the disease in 2014, but her friends continue the fight.

"With statistics as they are, it's time to change them for our mothers, daughters, sisters and girlfriends," says Bach.

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Certain forms of the human papillomavirus (HPV) cause common skin warts (papillomas). Others can lead to cancer, including cervical (90%), oropharyngeal (70%), vulvar (70%), vaginal (70%), penile (more than 60%) and anal (90%).

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Results-oriented, patient-driven

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Kara Million, of Houston, is a mother of two and a two-time cancer survivor. A volunteer for myCancerConnection and an advocate for raising awareness about the human papillomavirus (HPV), Kara says the Moon Shots Program will be key to ending cancer for good.

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Getting to know: Kelli Kickerillo

Native Houstonian Kelli Kickerillo knows a thing or two about a successful event. As chair of the 2015 Houston A Conversation With a Living Legend®, Kelli and her husband, Todd Forester, raised more than $1 million for MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program. Kelli serves as events chair for MD Anderson's Advance Team, a volunteer board of "next generation" community and business leaders. No matter what the event, Kelli and her family remain focused on Making Cancer History® for cancer patients and survivors around the world.

Survivors Say

Lauren Erdmann, of Midland, is a three-time cancer survivor. She enjoys spending time with her family, including the newest addition: a sister-in-law. She also enjoys working at her parents' business, Advance Kwik Lube. Erdmann has traveled to Cancun and Hawaii with her family, and they plan a cruise to Alaska and Canada later this year.

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iPromise

Jan Bres' husband, Tom, died at 54 from glioblastoma. During his 15-month fight, Tom and Jan learned of The Broach Foundation for Brain Cancer Research, founded in 2011 by James and Jamie Broach after James was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer. James, who died in 2013, and Jamie made it their mission to promote funding and education so effective treatments, and ultimately a cure, might be found. The nonprofit has raised $4 million to support brain cancer research under the leadership of Frederick Lang, M.D., director of Clinical Research, Neurosurgery.