James Metcalfe
History
I purchased my first mountain bike on July 2nd, 2009 and ever since I have been riding and racing every chance I get. I have since climbed and logged endless hours in the saddle.Although I haven’t been riding for long it has already made incredible changes in my life….but this isn’t about my life anymore, it’s about the lives of those battling breast cancer. My mother, Donna Ann Metcalfe, fought cancer for 12 years and every day clawed at life to watch her four children grow one day older. My mother eventually lost that fight on February 5th 1990, I was 14 years old. As I suffer the great pains of a long climb it makes me think about so many people out there suffering, not for sport, passion, or fun, but to survive and live one more day. I know that my pain will end when I reach the top of a climb but for many suffering from breast cancer the top is so far away, it seems unreachable.
Over 250,000 women in the US will begin this uphill battle each year and nearly 40,000 won’t make it to the top. When I talk to people about cancer, in any form, I find that EVERYONE seems to have some connection with a cancer victim or a cancer survivor. Every year we get closer and closer to a cure but with over 110 women in the US dying every day from breast cancer, we need to do more. Many of those suffering from breast cancer could be living fuller and possibly cancer free lives had it been detected earlier, and that’s were Mammograms in Action steps in!
The best way to fight breast cancer is to avoid it with regular screenings and diagnosing. With many women unable to afford the proper screenings, it’s up to us to look at what WE can do. Any contributions regardless of large or small has the ability to save a life. Just like every life matters, so does every dollar and that’s why I ask that you donate as I ride this year for Bikes for Boobs.
