IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SUNNY TO BE BEAUTIFUL!

Today I celebrate my 44th trip around the sun! It is hard to believe that 5 years ago today I received the second toughest news in my life..."we found the cancer in a lymph node and we cannot be sure we got it all"..."radiation with chemo, more chemo"...  So much has happened in these five years. The journey of treatment and more loss than I will rehash. Insted I would like to focus on the good in my life.

I just returned from a weekend at the beach with my brother after finishing a 215 mile bike ride in support of the Young Survival Coalition. He drove to Cape May, NJ to pick me up and the one free day we had at the beach it rained buckets...literal flooding on the island we were staying! I could not stop  thinking about what a bummer it was that our only free day was such terrible weather. I mean, he drove  almost 9 hours to meet me at the finish line and this was the only day he had free to enjoy the scenery. Part way through the day he commented  "It doesn't have to be sunny to be beautiful" and he was so right! I have had many less than sunny days over the last five years, but I can say these have been some of the most beautiful years of my life!

Cheers to another trip around the sun and many more adventures!

Young Survival Coalition Ride

In 2009, I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 38. Shortly thereafter, I connected with an incredible organization, Young Survival Coalition. 

On September 16, I will embark on a 3-day, 200+ mile journey in supoort of YSC. Cycling was something I took up before my diagnosis and was the one physical activity that saw me through my recovery of my own battle and the emotional journey that cancer bestowed on me over the last five years.  In 2012, I completed my first century, less than 4 months after completing my final round of chemotherapy and just 2 months before I lost my dad to a year long, valiant battle with lung cancer. In 2014, I watched my dearest friend lose her mom to pancreatic cancer and I lost my own mom after a courageous fight with breast cancer, so to this I say Suck It Cancer! and I will continue to ride and to raise as long as I can! 

YSC provides toung women with the tools and support they need to fight cancer. This organization provides vital education, outreach and advocacy programs, ensuring mo no woman is left to fight cancer alone. I will ride the miles, but I need your help. No donation is too small - every dollar helps! Together we WILL make a difference!

You can learn more about my ride and this organization at https://east.ysctourdepink.org/brandihann.