When Helene Palmer of Acton, Massachusetts, was preparing for her third bike ride with the American Cancer Society’s Bicycles Battling Cancer to commemorate twenty years since she had lost her mother to breast cancer at age 55, she heard the words, “You have breast cancer.”
“I was still in shock when I rode the 70-mile route in 2014. I didn’t tell anybody. I didn’t want to share the news until I had an action plan from the surgeon,” said Helene Palmer. “When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they lose power over their body and their time. You regain your power when you fundraise or volunteer to make a difference in the battle against cancer. Supporting the American Cancer Society gives you the knowledge and power that cancer doesn’t have,” said Palmer.
Helene, now 52, who has been volunteering for the American Cancer Society since 1996 as a way of channeling her grief into action, has also since lost her father to glioblastoma in 2020. She now rides, recruits, and volunteers in memory of both of her parents and to celebrate her 10th year of being a survivor of both breast cancer and malignant melanoma two years prior.
Upcoming Bicycles Battling Cancer ride
The next ride that Helene is participating in is the American Cancer Society’s Bicycles Battling Cancer ride on Sunday, September 22, which is a fun, scenic 30, 50, 63 (100 km), or 100-mile ride through Central Massachusetts and New Hampshire, starting and finishing at the YMCA Camp Lowe in Lancaster, Mass. Riders of all levels are encouraged to join and participate individually or as a team. After the ride, there will be a post-ride celebration with our riders, their families, friends, volunteers, and community members. There will be a robust celebration with music, food, activities, and a fun zone.
The ride is in its 16th year. It has raised over $1 million for cancer research, patient support, such as rides to treatment and the Hope Lodge in Boston, a 24/7 hotline for cancer support, and advocacy for laws that will benefit those with cancer and in treatment. To join the ride or support Bicycles Battling Cancer by volunteering at the event, please visit www.bicyclesbattlingcancer.org.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 100 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
Allison Rubin is the Director of Regional Integrated Marketing for the Northeast Region of the American Cancer Society.