Care More. Love More.

I love that people are starting to understand prevention, yet despite a growing understanding at my core, I know there is nothing positive about cancer, nothing good about the suffering, and loss. I know after a century of dealing with cancer as a “break and fix” model our only chance at cracking the code on increasing incidences of the disease is to stop it before it starts. Over half of all cancers are preventable, and as an organization those are the ones we focus on ending.

So many people are making huge sacrifices to make this ride successful words can never begin to express the gratitude. The bike ride not only keeps the organization afloat and allows us to grow but receives much-needed attention in the public eye, state house(s), and nationally on Capitol Hill.

Before the interview, Maeve makes sure I do not look like an unmade bed, which often is the case. She is quick to remind me to tuck in my shirt and not to eat a thing in case I miss my mouth and stain my shirt. Her watchful eye is busy scanning me and any potential crack she will need to bridge. I must say, she comes by it honestly; she is a problem preventer. Maeve since she was in grade school, would pass out the flyers on Capitol Hill introducing herself to legislators on behalf of Less Cancer. We are missing another secret weapon this ride, and that is my son Ian who has the same skill set as a problem solver

Miles, the award-winning journalist, a critical Less Cancer leader lost his left arm to amputation due to an accident, will soon be getting on his bike to head to northern Michigan. My mind wanders again as he warms up on his bike in the cavernous lobbies of the Fisher Building. I think of his efforts, his loss and his ability to overcome. I am inspired every time I see him.

Larry Fisher soon arrives with enough coffee for several people juggling bags and hot cups. This building was built by Larry’s great-uncles and great grandfather.

Miles and Larry are two men I once stood on stage with as three four-year-olds for a Christmas pageant. They, of course, were wise men, and I think I had a leading line of “baaaaa,” as one of the many sheep. For a lifetime they have stood with me, and I think of the many hurdles I have made because they said, “You can do it, Couz!” However beyond the loyalty that comes with friendship are sometimes strong directives to get the organization closer to our goals of ending cancer. They like many of our board members are keenly focused on the work of Less Cancer and are committed to the work. They first hand know, and friendships aside are driven to get solutions for ending cancer. While we have a shared history, we have shared goals. As time goes on we as an organization are connecting with more and more people who wish to see cancer prevented.

So much has changed since the early days and the rise of the Fisher Building, which today stands much more as a symbol of sustainability and the hope for the rebirth of healthy and thriving neighborhoods. For me, there is something larger and connected to our mission for Less Cancer. For when we have healthy and sustainable communities we often see public health problems decrease as we see gaps bridged on social issues such as poverty and illiteracy.

The cyclists are all in place: Suzi Tobias, founder of the ride four years ago; Dave Toutant, who has ridden since there were just a couple riders that did the distance; and Gerry Schilling, Craig Feringa, Tom Petzold, Jeanne and Tricia Petzold,M.D, Andrew Bowman, Bob Brutell, Ed Shumaker, Miles O’Brien, Lars Perkins, and Brian Doooms. They all took care of each other throughout the ride, including through over 40 miles of rain, all riding for Less Cancer. They came from Michigan as well as California, North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts and Utah. Unfortunately, unavoidable circumstances kept two of our team members Beth Skau and Chris Renouf away from the ride but were there in spirit.