Riders pedal with passion
for breast cancer awareness
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
THE LOCAL TREK WOMEN BREAST CANCER AWARENESS RIDE was held Saturday morning beginning at Mojo in Presque Isle. The goal of the event was to raise funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Riders could choose between a 10- or 25-mile ride. Shown gearing up for their excursion are, from left: Rebecca Langley of Fort Fairfield, Ellen Langley of Presque Isle, Loretta Harmon of Caribou, and Penny McHatten of Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE – More than a dozen cycling enthusiasts – many decked out in pink – pedaled Saturday for a worthwhile cause … breast cancer awareness.
For the fifth consecutive year, Trek – one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world – and Trek dealers from around the United States hosted Trek Women Breast Cancer Awareness Rides Oct. 9 to raise funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
This was the third year that Mojo in Presque Isle has participated in the event.
“We want to raise awareness for breast cancer,” said Mark Fullen, Mojo manager. “We have a very strong women’s community here, and we have a lot of women riders, and we want to continue supporting them.
“Breast cancer survivors are with it every day, and people who are battling it are with it every day,” he said. “This ride just shows that we’re trying to understand the pain that they go through.”
Riders could choose between a 10- or 25-mile ride.
“We’re going to head out from here and head to Parsons Street,” said Fullen, “and at the 5-mile point, the 10-mile group will turn around and come back. That group will stay within city limits; however, the 25-mile group will go all the way to Washburn, do a turnaround, and come back.”
Penny McHatten, of Presque Isle, opted for the longer ride.
“I’m here because I believe that I have been able to be an emotional support to the women that I know that have had cancer,” she said. “I’ve seen what they go through, I’ve seen chemotherapy and radiation, and when there is an awareness ride, I’m trying to say that I am blessed to be able to have good health to get out and do this.
“I also want to do it for people who have survived because they worked a lot harder than I ever do on a bicycle,” McHatten said. “Everywhere you look there is somebody who has fought cancer. You see survivors more and more now, so whatever I can do and submit what small amount of money I can raise for it, hopefully it will save one more life.”
McHatten said she tries to ride 100 miles during the week.
“Physically this isn’t a big challenge for me; however, it’s cold and windy,” she said. “But like I said to some friends of mine, ‘Whatever we have to face is nothing compared to what a person with cancer has to face.’ We’re just going to put our heads down and do it. There’ll be no whining. There’s no whining in breast cancer awareness.
“To bring together people for a common cause is always a great thing,” said McHatten of her third Trek Women Breast Cancer Awareness Ride. “It isn’t a race; it’s a ride and you just ride along, talk to other people and hear their stories. You find out a lot about folks on a ride like this. I enjoy it and will do it again next year.”
Presque Isle’s Georgina Schiff participated in the 10-mile event because breast cancer is a cause that is important to her.
“My Mom is an 11-year survivor of breast cancer, but her best friend passed away from breast cancer years ago, and my grandmother also had cancer. Hopefully I won’t be next; maybe by raising awareness and money it will help to prevent my turn,” she said. “This is my first time doing the Trek Women ride. I found out about it through Facebook, plus I know the people that work here.
“It feels great to see members of the community come together for this,” said Schiff. “I’m a novice rider and am looking forward to it. It’s a great cause and I’m happy to do my part.”
According to the Trek Women website, all of the registration fees will go toward the 2010 goal of $150,000. The Mojo ride raised more than $500 for the cause.
Last year, more than 3,500 people enjoyed rides at 100 Trek retailers nationwide and raised $105,000. Since the rides started in 2006, more than $233,000 has been raised for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Last year, 88 cents of every dollar donated went to research and awareness programs.
STAFFING THE REGISTRATION TABLE Saturday at Mojo were, from left: Danni Anderson, Heather Fullen and Taunja Jandreau. This was the third year that Mojo participated in the Trek Women Breast Cancer Awareness Ride, which raises funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. More than a dozen local riders participated in the event.
MORE THAN A DOZEN local riders pedaled Saturday to raise funds and awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation by participating in the Trek Women Breast Cancer Awareness Ride. Locally, the event was hosted by Mojo. According to the Trek Women website, all of the registration fees will go toward the 2010 goal of $150,000. Last year, more than 3,500 people enjoyed rides at 100 Trek retailers nationwide and raised $105,000. The Mojo ride raised more than $500 for the cause.
