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In Memory

In Memory: Paula Townsend

Submitted by: Bethany My mom, Paula Townsend was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer in September of 2016. She went to be with our Lord April 20th, 2018 at the age of 57. This was something that was so hard for her and my family to accept because my mom always lived a healthy lifestyle. She worked out daily, ate healthy, and did everything possible to protect her body and keep herself healthy. There was no family history of this cancer, or any cancer at all that was passed on to her. It was completely random and completely unfair. After...
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Survivor Stories

Survivor Story: Barbara Kawalsky

  I expected life to present me with a linear path. I grew up in South Africa, got married and had three beautiful children. Life was good and satisfying — all was going according to plan. Twenty years ago my family and I immigrated to Dallas, Texas. The move was challenging and difficult. The linear path was about to get way off track.  Eighteen months after we moved, my husband passed away suddenly at age 37 from a heart attack. My children were 9, 7 and 4. It was a constant struggle and a challenge to the extreme. Nevertheless, I...
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Survivor Stories

Survivor Story: Jennifer Mendez

My cancer survivor is my daughter.  She didn't have ovarian cancer but she had a very rare form of uterine cancer! She is very in tune with her body and knew something was wrong.  She was having unusual bleeding in between periods and at times extremely heavy (to the point of hemorrhaging).  She kept going to the doctor, they treated her with birth control pills (she had already had her tubes tied after the birth of her last child).  Twice she had to go to the ER because the bleeding was so bad.  The first time they did tests and...
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Survivor Stories

Survivor Story: Lisa Dorfmeister

My name is Lisa Dorfmeister and I am an Ovarian Cancer Survivor.  I have been happily married to my husband Steve for over 20 years and have two wonderful, handsome boys, Jacob and Josh.  This is my story:  In September of 2006, on a routine visit to my OB/GYN my doctor felt that something was wrong during my exam.  She said that it felt like my uterus was enlarged and speculated that I might have a fibroid cyst.  She further stated that she wanted me to stay and get a sonogram that day.  When I asked if I could make an appointment to have it...
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Survivor Stories

Survivor Story: Sheryl Overton

The end of 2015 was as busy as any normal holiday season, and then our home sold with a closing date of December 4th. Mike (my beloved husband) and I had moved to Florida in April so this would be somewhat inconvenient between Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. We moved ourselves. After the physically demanding move, we headed to the ocean to relax and spend sometime with our snowbird relatives. It was these relatives that first asked if I was ok. (I looked three or four months pregnant.) I thought it was the move, too much holiday food and spirits, which...
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Survivor Stories

Survivor Story: Dianne Blankenstein

August 11, 2017, marks the 14th anniversary my diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer.  It is a time to be extremely thankful for my health as well as a time to reflect on all of my cancer friends I’ve known and those I’ve lost. My life and my purpose in life have changed over these 14 years because of my diagnosis.  My story actually started back in 1999 when I had a hysterectomy for excessive bleeding and fibroid tumors.  The Dr. and I actually discussed the fact that I would not have to worry about Ovarian Cancer.  Little did we know that a remnant of an ovary...
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General

Why I Ride: Jordi Miller

  My mom, Carol Golden Miller, passed away February 4, 2005 from ovarian cancer. I ride in honor of her and to support ovarian cancer research so other moms, wives, daughters, sisters, friends are not taken from us from this terrible disease. I love to stay active and healthy, and spin is one of my favorite workouts! It was a natural fit to spin and raise money for ovarian cancer research! Please donate or register to ride with me! My team is called "StayGolden!" and it's $50 to join! *Pics!* Carol Golden Miller and daughter Jordi in 1988 Jordi participating...
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General

Instructor Profile: Thomas Renner

    Thomas Renner comes to you from Flywheel Sports where he motivates and inspires riders daily. He graduated from the Boston Conservatory with a degree in Musical Theatre. He found his passion for fitness through teaching dance upon his return to Dallas after school. It was then he decided his career path was more suited in motivational fitness. In his free time, you’ll find him at the gym, seeing a movie, eating Sour Patch Kids, and watching the Bachelor! He’s thrilled to once again contribute his passion and energy to this amazing organization! Many thanks to my Mother for...
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General

Why I Ride: Alexandra Washington

  I'm riding in honor of my grandmother, Herta Behm (pictured here), who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in May 2010 at the age of 83. Anyone who knew Herta would say that she was a "hoot" to be around. She always loved a good party and a proper Manhattan! The "Wheel to Survive" takes on a different meaning for Herta as she survived WWII living in Nazi-occupied Austria. Herta  grew up as the daughter of a wealthy ambassador in Vienna. When her father refused to take an oath of loyalty to the Nazi party, he was sent away to a concentration camp and...
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General

Instructor Profile: Terri Arends

  “Don't underestimate the power of passionate people,” says Terri Arends, the group fitness director for the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Dallas. A dynamically trained sports professional, Arends designs innovative group programming that encourages participants to meet their fitness goals while supporting the betterment of the Dallas community at large. Arends is particularly passionate about finding a cure for ovarian cancer. After meeting three women at the JCC who had been diagnosed with the disease, in 2012, Arends helped to spearhead Dallas's inaugural Wheel to Survive ride, an event that raised awareness of and funds for combatting...
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General

Why I Ride: Carla Watson

I am a cancer survivor. My cancer was not ovarian cancer, but it could have been fatal; I was one of the fortunate ones. Thanks to many who donated before me to Hodgkin's Lymphoma research, it can be curable today. Scarred in my memory are the months of chemotherapy, surgeries, vomiting, hair loss and fear. As a survivor, I have lived it. This is WHY I RIDE. One woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer every 24 minutes. One woman dies from ovarian cancer every 37 minutes. Sadly, 70% of the women diagnosed with this disease will die.  There is no...
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General

Instructor Profile: Courtney Echols

Courtney Echols Courtney's motto is "happiness is an inside job".  The Cyclebar Lakeside Market  General Manger and CycleStar Instructor got hooked on indoor cycling when she was in grad school. She loved the full-body workout—and the way she felt after every ride. She wanted to ride better and share her love of cycling with others, so she got certified. When you ride with Courtney, she wants you to be proud of what your body can do on the bike, and use that strength in your everyday life. She also wants you to drop your baggage at the door and fill...
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