You are with me forever Martha
Welcome to my page,
Here we are, seven years into my journey as a rider and ten years of involvement with the Courage Classic. This year has been monumental in our lives, as we celebrate Daniel's health, which ultimately brought us into the Wheels of Justice family. Daniel marked his 10-year "rebirth" on November 12th since his Bone Marrow Transplant in 2014 and today is thankfully thriving. Not a day passes that I am not grateful for how that experience shaped my life, leading me down a path and bringing me to where I am today, filling it with incredible people and allowing me to achieve goals I could have never imagined for myself. It has given me a deeper understanding of life as a precious gift—how easily it can be lost and how hard it is to fight for.
When I think about why I ride, so many reasons come to mind. Above all, it’s Daniel. He motivates me every day to do better, to raise more funds, and to push myself further when I feel like I can’t go on. Whenever I feel like I can’t take pedal another foot, I think about what Daniel endured, and my thoughts shift to others—those who have faced their own battles with pediatric cancer particularly, those still in the fight, those who’ve run out of options, and the parents and siblings mourning the loss of their own. I circle back to the survivors, those facing persisting side effects, and the survivors' guilt that many of us carry. I see my friends bury their children, and let’s not forget the PTSD that lingers from that whole experience. All of this happens in my mind in a flash, still playing on repeat, even ten years later.
Nothing brings people together like a cause. Every year, over 2,500 riders unite, not including the volunteers and supporters, all gathered for the same purpose: to lift each other up in spirit. We’re all there for the same reason—raising money for Children's Hospital Colorado and the families who need it. What makes the Wheels of Justice team stand out is our specific focus on raising funds for the 7th floor and the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD)—the very floor that saved Daniel’s life. All the money we raise goes directly to finding better treatments, potential cures, and supporting the vital wellness programs that I truly believe were crucial to Daniel’s recovery.
Now, let me tell you a little about Martha (see photo above), whom we honor this year. Ten years ago, I met Margret, Martha’s mom—a force to be reckoned with. Even before meeting the famous Martha, I had heard about this young woman who refused to take no for an answer and wouldn’t slow down. They would explore every possible treatment option. When I met Margret, Martha was in another state for treatment, but that didn’t stop her mom from connecting me for resources and just some mom bonding. No one understands quite like two moms of teenagers with Cancer. And also Margret and I can match each other swear for swear, and I truly appreciate this gift. I felt as if these two teenagers had us running non-stop, trying to keep them engaged in normal life while battling their illness. There is nothing normal about being a teenager with life threating Cancer.
And then I met Martha. Martha was someone who truly didn’t let any time slip away. It was clear she knew she had a lot of life to live in a short time and had a rare understanding of that. After just a few meetings, Martha seemed to understand a direction for my life that I hadn’t even yet realized. In the photo above, Martha is putting on henna tattoos the night before the Courage Classic ride. She asked me what I wanted. I didn’t know. We talked a bit about life, and then she came up with a design that she thought represented where I had grown in my life. She said I was a lotus flower. Two years later to the day, I got that tattooed permanently to honor Martha, as she had made such a profound impact on my life. I'm still growing into Martha.
The memories I’ve made over the past 10 years since Daniel’s diagnosis will never fade, but few have left a mark as lasting as Martha’s. She leaves a powerful legacy through the Martha Strong Foundation, and I am proud to ride for her this year.
