Twelve years after the death of my dad I still honor the promise I made to him the night he died - to bike Across America, We never discussed the route I would take so I keep riding. While I was fulfilling this dream of mine - biking across America, I decided to give my ride a greater purpose. Since I have lost a brother, two sisters, a niece, a cousin, and several friends to cancer I chose to use these rides as fund raisers for cancer research. I have biked over 32,000 miles and raised close to  $150,000 for cancer research and treatment through my bike rides.
Covid – 19 impacted SAA fund raising and so several research projects were put on hold. We hope to change that this year. Unfortunately, Cancer was not put on hold. In fact, I had two close friends diagnosed with cancer; one has passed and the other continues her battle with cancer. The battle to beat or at least extend the quality of life encourages me to continue to ride my bike and swim to fund raise for cancer research through the organization of Swim Across America. The money raised by SAA benefits Rush University Cancer Center. TOGETHER we can make waves in the fight against cancer. On August 6 I will be participating in the SAA event by swimming a mile in Lake Michigan.   A week later, August 15,  I will begin my 1706 mile bike ride down the East Coast, a ride that has been postponed for two years due to Covid-19.
This year I will be dedicating my ride and swim to four very special friends, Berta, Eileen,  Leslie and Steve.  Prayers and good intentions are needed for all four of them.  Thank you
Berta was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer shortly before Thanksgiving of 2019. She has tolerated the chemo treatments to shrink her tumor. Radiation treatments farther reduced the size of the tumor which currently is wrapped around an artery. Even though the tumor shrank, because of its location surgery is no longer an option. Within the last few months Berta's numbers have gone up. The hope through treatment is to stabilize her numbers and get them back to “normal” and to keep her tumor from growing. Her attitude is amazing.  The doctors are monitoring her closely. 

Eileen’s symptoms prompted her to get a Covid 19 test in November of 2020. When her test result was negative, she decided to see her doctor to get answers on why she was so tired. Through blood tests it was determined that she has AML leukemia. She spent the next four weeks in the hospital for treatment. Her journey has been in and out of the hospital. In the middle of March, she received a bone marrow transplant. We are all praying for a positive outcome.  Since the bone marrow transplant Eileen has several side effects which she continues to work through. Progress has been slow.

Leslie, is a good friend that I met on my first cross country ride in 2014. On Jan. 23, 2018 Leslie was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and given a 50-50 chance that a year later she would still be alive. Thanks to the wonder drug Alectinib (FDA approved this drug just two months before Leslie was diagnosed) Leslie has spent the past 53 months checking things off her bucket list. The coronavirus has limited Leslies travels. Leslie also has an amazing attitude. She realizes that at any point her body can reject this drug.

I met Steve several years ago through Swim Across America.  For 25 years he has been the captain of Team Ann, swimming and raising money for SAA.  A month ago Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Every day that goes by allows research to continue to find the next miracle drug or treatment for Berta, Eileen, Leslie, and Steve.

The money you donate today ensures that cancer research will continue and lives will be saved. My four friends are alive because of YOU.
YOU support the research that Rush is doing to improve treatment of various forms of cancer.

As I ride and swim, I also will be remembering my two sisters (2017, 2008), my brother (1997), my niece (2005), Howard (2014) and the other 289 plus names (my angels) on my white biking jersey. In 2014 I began writing the names of the people I rode for on the back of my white biking jersey. I continue to add names each year – thus the total of 294 names. While swimming 1.5 mile in the 2013 SAA event, I suffered hypothermia. When I could not do the lake swim I began biking across America. It has taken over four years to be comfortable swimming again. This is my 20th year participating in this event. Through your generosity, I have raised over $195,000 for cancer research, prevention, and treatment. Our fight is not over yet and your support is still needed.
Proceeds from the swim will support early-stage research and clinical trials for a variety of cancer types (one of them being lung cancer) at the Swim Across America Lab at Chicago Rush University Medical Center.
Their research benefits everyone. Together let us make the list of survivors longer. With love and gratitude, Patty

In memory of: John (brother), Chrissy (niece), Deanna (sister), Nancy (sister), Howard, Inese, Linda V, Claire, Mary Kay, John C., Christina, Karen, Ken, Elizabeth, Amos, Rosemary R, Lanny D, Doug J, Pete D, Joan D, Karen H, Al B, Rita T, Stephanie, Amy A, Thomas P, Estelle P, James, W.C. S, Toni K, Arthur B, Jill J, Mary, Patti G, James B, Lucille, Jane, Jonna, Kappy K.’s mom, Elizabeth B. W, Steve M. Steve, Leah A, Sally Sunshine, Catherine G, Nancy, Charles “Chuck” P,, Debbie, Stephanie, Betty, Matt G, Jay G., Courtney, Chad, Bob B. Katie R, Amy, Carol T, Steve M, Noel,  and the list goes on…
In honor of: Jackie, Susan, Paul, Charles R., Linda K., Wendi, Jeff T., Mary L, Patricia M, Steve M., Ralph, Jim M., Rita, Debbie and Steve V, Ronnie , Leslie D, Doug C, Debbie B, Nancy W, Laura B, Eileen, Holly B, Samantha C, Terese K, Tony, Jolie, AJ, Bob, Molly R, Joanne R, Eileen, Ian W, Brum, Marlene’s family and friends, Larry M, Leslie H, Mike R, Charles “Chuck” P, Debbie, Stephanie, Dick, Lynn H, Terry, Rob M. Marcia P, Helen W., Lisa, Laurel, Jenny, Patti, Rob, Steve K., Claire G., Mark B, Cindy, Gayle, Linda, Roberta, Eileen, Steve,  and the list goes on…