"Cancer Survivor Stories"

If you would like to have your story and picture here email lholman@gci.net

Lou Ann Clark will be in remission for breast cancer five years this May. She loves to ride her bike on Anchorage trails imagining, as she rides, that she is on the RIDE FOR LIFE or other monumental rides (like the Tour de France). Lou Ann is an elementary teacher in Alaska who enjoys fishing, biking and hiking. She takes great delight in living in Alaska and being alive!

Jon Kumin was diagnosed with cancer early in 2005 and underwent treatment until June when he passed away. Jon was a well known Anchorage architect, avid runner, skier and biker who planned to ride in the Ride for Life 2005. His daughter and many of us rode in his place and celebrated his life.

Betty Predeger, is a UAA nursing professor that has been an activist for women's health through her research and community involvment for many years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995 and is comming on to her 10th anniversary of being cancer free. Although she has not yet ridden in the "Ride for Life", this year she hopes to change that. Betty bikes regularly for leisure and recreation.

David Predeger, a freelance photographer was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the spring of 2001. Knowing that the resulting surgery would put a damper to his cycling and road racing for at least eight weeks, he decided to do the only logical thing, ride to the hospital the morning of the surgery. The docs were a bit surprised, though anyone who loves to ride should understand. David is doing fine and is cancer free. David and Betty were out of state for last years ride but plan to participate this year.

Tom Schmidt was diagnosed with testicular cancer in Apirl 1991, at 36 years old. He has been 13 years cancer free. Tom began cycling his way to health back in 1993 with the Arctic Bike Club. He has helped create and maintain the road race web site for the ABC. In 2002, he rode a tandem 100 miler with his daughter Kalysta in the Lance Armstrong "Ride for the Roses" while rasing $2,000 for the foundation from generous contributions from friends, colleagues and family. In 2003, he was successful in completing the 750 mile Paris-Brest-Paris ride in under 84 hours. This year and for many years to come you will see Tom "riding for life!"

Carol Waters has been a long time educator, teacher, school psychologist and involved with many community grants and wellness projects. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2002. She went through a masectomy and chemo/radiation. She ended treatments in Jan 2003 and so far has been cancer free. Carol rode in the first "Ride for Life".