Century ride to benefit cancer patients

Baptist's Serenity Garden offers cancer patients and their families a respite from day-to-day stress.

More than 200 bicyclists are expected to join forces Sept. 20 to offer hope on wheels for cancer patients.

Sponsored by Baptist Cancer Services, Jackson Oncology Associates, and Radiation Oncology of Mississippi, the seventh annual Cyclists Curing Cancer Century Ride will benefit Baptist Cancer Services' Serenity Garden, a safe haven of sorts for patients and their families.

The Serenity Garden, located outside of Baptist’s Hederman Cancer Center, offers a place exclusively for cancer patients and their families to enjoy an often much-needed dose of fresh air. Built in an area that was previously home to only air-conditioning units and other equipment, the garden provides calming seclusion complete with winding pathways and a water fountain.

“We wanted to offer a different type of setting,” said Bobbie Ware, vice president of patient care services at the Cancer Center. “It’s important that these patients and families have an uplifting place to go that’s not so clinical.”

Many patients going through chemotherapy can escape to the garden while receiving their treatment.

“This is a great place for patients to go that are either staying in the hospital, receiving outpatient treatment, or just waiting for an appointment,” said Dr. Gerry Ann Houston, a partner at Jackson Oncology Associates.

Houston, who specializes in breast cancer treatment, said she went into cancer services because “it seems that the nicest people get cancer.”

Houston has been an avid cyclist for nearly a decade. When she first began biking, she became fast friends with Michael Gillespie, a representative for Sanofi-Aventis Oncology, and a passionate cyclist for over 30 years.

“Michael and I knew that there were a lot of rides in the area, but not one devoted to cancer patients,” said Houston. “So we decided our patients deserved a ride. too.

“We had discussed Lance Armstrong’s ride, and we thought we should do something for patients in this area,” said Gillespie. Houston suggested a ride to Baptist Cancer Services and in 2001, the Cyclists Curing Cancer Century Ride was born.

Cyclists have the option to ride in honor or in memory of someone affected by cancer. Houston and Gillespie both said they ride for all of the patients they have come to know over the years. “I see people on a daily basis battling cancer,” said Gillespie. “That’s why I do this.”

“I have never had one specific name in mind when I’m riding,” said Houston. “I really ride for all of my patients. I see so many people every day struggling with cancer.”

This year, Karen Johansson will ride in memory of her grandfather Francis Martin, friend Maybelle Cagle and felow photographer J.D. Schwalm.

“This ride really means a lot to me because I have relatives that have battled cancer,” said Johansson. “And it seems that every time you turn around, you hear of someone else being affected in some way by cancer.”

“The Century Ride is great because it won’t feel like just another Saturday ride,” said new cycler Robert Chapman. “I’ll feel like I’m doing something I love while being productive at the same time.” Chapman has had family and close friends that have fought cancer. He will ride in honor of three special cancer survivors ‹ his grandmother, Nell Phillips, his wife’s aunt, Amy Morris, and Morrison Heights Baptist Church music minister John Langworthy.

For husband-and-wife team Mike and Earline Kelly, the cancer ride really hits close to home.

“The first year I did the ride was the year my father died of lung cancer,” said Earline Kelly. “Everyone wore ribbons in memory of him.”

The couple will ride in memory of Earline’s father, Earl Beck, and close friends Catherine Hutton, Susan Martin and Jason Reed.

“We do this because cancer affects so many,” said Mike Kelly. “This is not only great exercise, but it also helps these people.”

The course will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Baptist Healthplex in Clinton and continue along the historic Natchez Trace. Cyclists will have the option to ride up to 100 miles, and rest stops along the way will be stocked with water, sports drinks, snacks and fruit. All participants will receive a T-shirt and lunch after the event.

Entry fees for cyclists are $40. For an additional donation, cyclists can ride in honor/memory of someone special affected by cancer.

For details, call (601) 968-1248 or visit www.mbhs.org/cyclistscuringcancer.