Rider Profile

After experiencing some worsening heartburn, I went in for a routine endoscopy in September 2020 in the middle of COVID. I was shocked to learn that the heartburn was actually a symptom of stage 2b esophageal cancer that had developed in my GE Junction. I was referred to Georgetown for an esophagectomy, an 11 hour procedure and a 3 week stay in the ICU to remove the cancer (including and 3/4 of my esophagus). Then I became a patient of the legendary Dr. John Marshall, Director of the Reusch Center the Cure for GI Cancers at Lombardi. Dr. Marshall took me step by step through 4 intense rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy, which happened to coincide with the holidays and the birth of our first child, Hadley. The Lombardi Center was with us every step of the way - including countless middle of the night phone calls for nausea management and a few emergency trips to Georgetown for fluids and pain management. I am now part of the Lombardi Survivor program, working to get my quality of life back to 100%, get me back on the bike, and ensure a low risk of recurrence. While I never would have expected a cancer diagnosis at the age of 35, I am very lucky to have such a talented and caring team of doctors at Lombardi and the greater Georgetown University Hospital.

***This year, which would be my 5th Bellringer ride, my mangled-up anatomy had different plans. I will unfortunately be having a post-cancer hernia repaired 2 days before, and will have to cheer on the Bellringer participants from my hospital window at Georgetown. I plan to ride virtually in the spring once I'm fully healed.

Although I cannot participate physically, the battle against cancer continues. I'm still targeting a $5000 fundraising goal, and would greatly appreciate your donation (or your participation in the event itself)!***