It amazes me how fast another year goes by and it happens in the blink of an eye. It also amazes me that this will be my third year with the Challenge to Conquer Cancer (C3) group. To be honest, boldly honest…I didn’t think I was going to make it this year. I kept thinking that I was too busy – too busy as a mom, a business owner and well, with life in general. There is always more stuff to do, things to complete and things to plan for. I also had my own personal reasons for reconsidering. Then I watched this video posted just below and I remembered that cancer doesn’t take a break…it doesn’t say “I’m too busy to affect you and your loved ones”. When I watched one of the videos that I put together from last year’s ride, I began to get really emotional. I got emotional for many reasons. Cancer has touched me personally. I have lost family members to cancer, have cancer survivors in my family, know friends that have lost their battle to the the big C word. I also remembered that there are those that have lost their battle since I took photos of them during the time that I have been involved with C3. Then the final deciding factor to move forward enthusiastically for my 3rd year was when my friend and C3 teammate, Jeni Schumacher, said “I know you Lisa. And if you were battling this disease like I am and know that you have passed this gene on to your own children, you wouldn’t sit and wait for a cure. You would DO something.” She was right. I wouldn’t sit back and wait. Jeni gets out there and rides for so many reasons even after she has been through a large number of surgeries and isn’t always feeling so great. She believes that we are here to raise awareness and find a cure. YEP…the whole reason I started with C3 in the first place. We all hope we can make a difference. Here is the video from last year’s ride.

I can remember the first year when I said “I will ride AND be the photographer”. Yeah..that wasn’t such a great idea and realized that being the photographer was incredibly demanding and sleep deprivation will make you act rather goofy and irritable at times. So I have come to know that while I ride with the group, when it comes to the actual C3 ride, I am the photographer and not both. It’s an honor to be a part of this experience. I also have to raise the money in order for me to be able to make it.

Take a look at our new design for this year’s ride –

It is going to be a tough but rewarding journey this year….but I guess that is why it is called the CHALLENGE to Conquer Cancer. Here is the direct link to my donation page. Any amount you can contribute is greatly appreciated. If you can’t, no worries, but please share with others. Together we can make a difference!!