A Brand New Journey

I had lunch with Anne Garner my fellow support driver for YELLOW today. We were kind of going over things: logistics, things to pack, how we will stay in contact and who wants to drive the bus. (Thankfully we’ve got help there.) Strangely, I am the ONLY returning driver this year. Some people are looking to me for answers/suggestions. I have shared a few, but to me this is a brand new year with a new ride. Yes we have sent numerous letters to our family and friends, had mandatory meetings and fundraisers, booked rental vans and hotel rooms for Austin, picked up maps at AAA, and scheduled a time to leave. ALL like last year.  But this year is a brand new adventure!  Different route, different challenges and new smiling faces!  

When Ron and I first had the notion to start this, I remember telling him, “We will NEVER find enough people that want to ride for that long and that far.”  Little did I know then just how many people were in the same boat with us.  We were (and still are) ANGRY at Cancer!  In 2005, it took Mike Jerina away from us.  It changed us.  But through our heartache and sorrow, we have found a purpose.  We have joined with others who have the same feelings: What can we do?  We feel so Helpless.  We’ve got to DO something!  We CANNOT just stand by and watch this disease continue to take away our loved ones.  

My sweet husband found running and cycling to be a good outlet for his frustration.  He rode in his first P3 Charity Ride in 2006.  We went to the LiveStrong Challenge in Austin in 2007 where the idea for the Challenge to Conquer Cancer was born.  With the support of so many, he made the ride a reality in 2008 and we are about to ride again in 2009.  I need to thank the Palmetto Peloton Project for that.  This journey has helped us heal.

Anne asked me today at lunch, “How is Ron handling working, being a dad AND planning this ride?”  Without much hesitation I responded, “He’s part Superman”.  (Just a little something he inherited from his father.)  I am extremely proud of Ron – words really cannot express my true feelings.  Saying that he is a Super Man is somewhat of an understatement.  His passion for this ride is contagious and I can’t wait to get started on our new journey together.

We’ve assembled a TEAM of 26 Riders, 10 Support Drivers and 6 M&M&Ms(Medics, Mechanics and Massage Therapists)  for a total of 42 wonderful people that have committed themselves to this common cause.  We are ONE team that is divided into 5 parts so that we can get there by Thursday.  Our jerseys this year have 2 definitions on them:  Team- a group on the same side organized to work together and Victory - defeat of an opponent.  The state of having triumphed.  I KNOW the heart and soul of this TEAM and we want a VICTORY over this Ugly opponent we call CANCER.

Thank you to all of those who have supported us both financially and emotionally.  Please pray for our safe travels.  Stay in touch with us through this blog – we love reading your encouraging messages.

The countdown is on.  Let’s go Conquer Cancer.

The new journey begins in 4 days,

Jennifer Jerina