Pelotonia 2026 -- Year 18 of riding and fundraising to end cancer!

For my niece, Mary - who is always amazing, in everything she does, including survivorship.

In memory of my high school BFF, Cassie - who passed away in early 2018. She graced the world in so many ways and cancer research gave her the quality time she so wanted.

In memory of my father-in-law, Bill Bradley, Sr. - best dad-in-law EVER.

In memory of my cousins (Bea, Dan, Frank, Tom and Becky Greenwell) - we miss them all, and they are always with me when I ride.

In memory of Chris Dunlap - whom we met on one truly epic Pelotonia ride weekend. As so often happens, we "adopted" each other into our wide Pelotonia family. We lost Chris in 2019, but her indomitable spirit lives on.

And again this year, I especially am riding for the "original" Kris Dunlap - Kris has been one of my dearest friends-family, for over 30 years, and continues in her survivorship. In every way, she is an inspiration to me, and my efforts for cancer research are totally tied to her story. Kris will tell you herself: she is doing as well as she is right now, because of the research that has made her treatment possible.

We came together during the pandemic, as the Pelotonia community, to keep doing the work -- and it was no less important to continue those efforts, despite our not being face-to-face. My Pelotonia participation was all about supporting my teammies and keeping all of our people (mine and yours) centered in the memories and celebrations - that never changes for me, as Rider and team captain. Every "remembrance" and "celebration" ribbon on my bike bag is to honor a special person who is with me, for every pedal stroke. Pelotonia 2026 is our 18th year -- wow!! I had no idea where this would go, when I lined up to ride at the first Pelotonia, in 2009. We are at well over $309 MILLION raised to date, and the reach of what this funding can do doesn't stop: from putting new drugs on shelves, continuing the outstanding work of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology research center, and adding programs that literally prevent cancer cases (the list of achievements just grows longer). Cancer patients and their families face any number of challenges when it comes to navigating these diseases. How do we continue to address those challenges and needs within our cancer community? With global-scale research and a huge, dedicated community (that's us). We've done so much together, but we are not done.

Until every family member, friend and loved one gets to hear at their diagnosis: "We have a cure for you," we have more work to do. The research and community programs are more critical now than ever before, so we continue to be "in it" for the long haul.

To everyone who has sponsored me over the years: thank you - y'all are so amazing!! Individually and collectively, you STILL quite literally are strength to my pedals. Every donation has mattered - and I cannot properly express my appreciation for all of you. Your people are my people - and I am honored to ride for them AGAIN and STILL. Thank you for donating to my Pelotonia 2025 ride, as we keep going for ONE GOAL.