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General

Why I Ride: Alan Yonack

  As you may know, Sheryl and I have been actively involved in this organization since Day 1.  Our dear friend, Helen Gardner (pictured with me) asked us if we would join her in creating Be the Difference in 2011.  You see, Helen was battling Stage 4 ovarian cancer.  Between fighting the disease and working to get Be the Difference started, she had her hands full, so we were glad to to be part of such an important cause.  The organization has raised and donated more that $1,700,000 to help find a early detection test as well find a cure,...
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Survivor Stories

Survivor Story: Lauren Shecht

  As many of my friends and family know, I am not one to share my personal stories on social media.  However, in light of the recent events and the tremendous amount of love, support, and well wishes I have been receiving, I feel it is best to share my story.  First, let me say, I am overwhelmed and speechless at how many people have reached out to donate to Wheel to Survive.  Your donations are helping find a cure for a horrible disease.  I've always believed in the saying "it takes a village", and let me tell you all,...
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Survivor Stories

Survivor Story: Kathy Drescher

My entire life changed on March 2, 2016.  I knew absolutely nothing about ovarian cancer until this unforgettable day. This is the day I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and my life drastically changed. I had surgery on March 9, 2016, and it was after this surgery that I was officially diagnosed with Stage III-C ovarian cancer. I asked too few questions and knew even less, and felt completely terrified.  After one round of chemotherapy, I began to want to know more, yet I found myself afraid to ask. I am a Nurse Practitioner, yet I felt so ignorant to...
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General

Instructor Profile: Barbara Edes

Barbara Edes Barbara Edes works at the JCC and is a highly experienced personal trainer and group fitness instructor across multiple disciplines, including spinning, strength training, and yoga. As a repeat lead instructor in the Wheel to Survive Dallas event she leads the fifth hour with passion and purpose.  She regularly surprises participants at our event with a flash mob, dazzling young female gymnasts and a dynamic support team.  Not only a lead instructor, but also Barbara leads a fundraising team and her team efforts have raised thousands of dollars in the fight against Ovarian Cancer. She applies over a...
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General

Why I Ride: Atila Ali

I'm riding in honor of my cousin, Roya Ali, who lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer in January 2016 at the age of 38.  She was an amazing person, always having a smile on her face and was strong in the face of incredibly tough odds.   I still to this day draw strength from her example.  She fought so hard, even until her last breath.  I miss her daily, but I know she's in a better place. Last year I found out about this charity late in the game and signed up for the Wheel to Survive ride with only...
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General

Instructor Profile: Jill Mearns

Jill Mearns  Lead CycleStar Instructor at CycleBar Preston Forest Jill is thrilled to be Lead CycleStar Instructor for CycleBar Preston Forest, a premium boutique indoor cycling studio opening next month, and she can’t wait to show you her awesome new digs when you come in for a ride! She has been on the instructor bike in various Dallas-area studios for the past eight years and has loved every second of it! What drives Jill as an instructor is the joy of taking people out of their daily grind and helping them completely lose themselves in their ride - getting lost...
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General

Why I Ride: Megan Lowrey

I received the most devastating news this year from the sweetest, kindest, most generous, loyal and loving person I know.  My best friend of almost 30 years was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer at only 37 years old.  On February 26, 2017 I will ride for Lauren Shecht. One woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer every 24 minutes. 22,000 women this year. One woman dies from ovarian cancer every 37 minutes. 15,000 women this year. Sadly, 70% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will die from the disease. There is no reliable early detection test available for ovarian cancer. These women are...
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General

Why I Ride: Colin Mansfield

  One woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer every 24 minutes. 22,000 women this year. One woman dies from ovarian cancer every 37 minutes. 15,000 women this year. Sadly, 70% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will die from the disease. There is no reliable early detection test available for ovarian cancer. These women are our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends and they deserve better. We all deserve better. On February 26, 2017, I will be participating in Wheel to Survive, an inspirational six hour indoor cycling event to raise money to help women batting ovarian cancer today and to provide research...
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General

Why I Ride: Valerie Halpren

On February 26, 2017, I will participate in "Wheel to Survive," an inspirational six hour indoor cycling event to raise money to help women batting ovarian cancer and to provide research dollars for a cure. 100% of the money I raise will go to fund these programs. I am riding in memory of my best friend, my role model – my dear mother Flora and for all the other women who are and could be affected by this horrific disease. My story: Thirty two years ago in Greensboro NC, my dear mother Flora Alberts lost her life to ovarian cancer. She...
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General

Why I Ride: Megan Lowrey

Why I ride: I received the most devastating news this year from the sweetest, kindest, most generous, loyal and loving person I know.  My best friend of almost 30 years was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer at only 37 years old.  On February 26, 2017 I will ride for Lauren Shecht. One woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer every 24 minutes. 22,000 women this year. One woman dies from ovarian cancer every 37 minutes. 15,000 women this year. Sadly, 70% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will die from the disease. There is no reliable early detection test available for ovarian cancer. These...
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General

Why I Ride: Kathy Harris

Why I ride:  This is my third year to participate in this worthwhile event, and the first year on the team CANCER SUCKS - with Gary Gardner.  Gary is the "Dad" of the business where I work; Brent (my boss) is the son - and Helen Gardner was the wife/mom who was one of the founding members of the Be the Difference Foundation, she lost her fight 2 years ago but we can all keep working to help find THE CURE! As those of you who know me understand that CANCER SUCKS as I am a survivor of thyroid cancer,...
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Survivor Story: Deborah Pomeranz
Survivor Stories

Survivor Story: Deborah Pomeranz

  Why are we so fascinated by other’s memoirs and autobiographies? To paraphrase the late author, poet and very wise woman, Dr. Maya Angelou, she said, it is because--‘my story is your story and in that way we are all connected.’ My hope is that my story will increase your awareness just a little bit more and perhaps that som­eone perusing my words or beyond these virtual walls will benefit from hearing about my encounters. This latest chapter of my journey began to unfold four years ago, in September 2012 -- when I read the words ‘suspicious for ovarian carcinoma’...
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