Romans 5 v 4-5
We also rejoice in the tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

TRIBULATION
It is the news that not one of us ever wants to receive. It is the diagnosis that has touched each and every one of us directly or through a loved one. It is the diagnosis of BREAST CANCER.
In October of 2001 on a Sunday much like any other, Arda Tole was at home when her neighbor, friend, and most importantly her physician would walk over for a “visit”. As compassionately as possible, Dr. Laurie Daum would give Arda the life altering diagnosis. In that critical moment in time your world completely stops if only for a few seconds. Will this mean death? No, it will not. Once time began again, she and Dr. Daum discussed treatment options and consequences about the arduous journey that faced her. Once she and her husband Dave could wrap their minds around their new reality, they met their TRIBULATION head on.

PERSEVERANCE
Thus would begin her six month journey of treatment. Surgery was followed by six weeks of daily radiation therapy. As many women will attest, the radiation tattooing is an enormous milestone. Although smaller in size, what once stood for an obvious sign of the cancer, Arda presently views the tattooing as a mark of victory. With the help from several friends, colleagues, and her women’s Bible study group, Arda would emerge from treatment with no evidence of the disease. Although another mammogram the following July would show something “suspicious”, an in-office biopsy would prove negative. Arda, never finding herself angry nor asking, “why me?” would repeatedly state, “don’t let this be for nothing”. If breast cancer had entered her life, Arda wanted positives to come from it. During her prayer time she continually asked God to show His plan for her life, to reveal a purpose she could passionately pursue. Every cancer patient pulls deep from within to find the strength to battle cancer and the treatment regiment that follows. With her husband Dave’s unending devotion, love from her children, talented physicians, and specialists, she was able to persevere over the disease to victory. But that wasn't enough. Arda wanted to do more, become more, give more. The BIKE 4 CANCER was born.

CHARACTER
Cancer changes everyone that is a fact. Survivors and those in treatment will attest to a keener perspective of life. Arda is no different. There is an "hour glass" for each of us. Not one of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. She is more conscious of what really matters in life. She is aware of the grains of sand within her own hour glass and plans to count and appreciate each one. Although her body may have been assaulted by the cancer, she is making sure that it will be healthy enough for her next challenge, the BIKE 4 CANCER. Arda is making sure that her body is not only healthy for herself, but strong enough to help others. Through her prayer time she has come to realize that her purpose in life may not be one single event, but rather a series of events and situations. Whether it is speaking openly and honestly to women in her life regarding mammograms, encouraging those currently in treatment, or serving as an example, Arda is ready to give back. She wants to help men and women alike who also find themselves on this journey. Her experience, combined with input from trusted friends, has led Arda to team up with Saint Mary’s Lacks Cancer Center which supports cancer research and patient assistance.

HOPE
Arda’s goal is hope. And this is why she will bike. She has begun training in order to ride over 3,000 miles! Her journey will begin on March 6, 2008 taking her from San Diego, California all the way to St. Augustine, Florida. By riding five days consecutively and resting one, Arda hopes to raise $30,000! The monies raised will stay locally in Grand Rapids to help others in cancer treatment and current research opportunities.
You can participate in her ride by donating: 1. In memory of; 2. In honor of; or 3. In celebration of your loved one that has faced the tribulation of cancer. She will carry with her the names you have submitted. As Arda pedals across the country, she will pray for your loved one, keeping them within her heart and pulling strength from your life stories. You may donate by visiting Lacks Cancer Center because you believe in the spirit of hope that encompasses this journey.
So join Arda via this website as she lives out her faith as only she knows how. She was handed Tribulation, faced it with Perseverance, emerged with a stronger Character and now rides on in Hope.

Amy Hamilton

My Mom’s Story

I have forever known my Mom as someone who is outgoing, happy, and spontaneous. About a year ago she came to me with an idea, one of her many ‘ideas’ to help other people. We were on a family vacation up in Canada and the two of us were swimming across the bay in front of my Grandpa’s cottage as she explained to me how she was going to ride cross-country in order to raise money for cancer treatment and research, so what did I think? First of all, I wasn’t really surprised. Doing things for others, from sewing quilts for new mothers in desperate situations to volunteering her time for various ministries, I have seen my mother help many people. Yet I knew she didn’t have any experience planning a trip and a fundraising effort of this magnitude. I became even more skeptical when she explained that she wanted to ride from the northern border of the United States to the southern border, since this would apparently make the ride easier as it would all be downhill! Of course that route quickly vanished and reality set in, but the idea and desire to ride for cancer never did disappear. Deep down I knew that if her mind was set, I better be prepared to be supportive since this wasn’t the first time my mother had overcome obstacles.

When I was a sophomore in college I remember getting a phone call from both my parents. I immediately knew something was wrong because they never called at the same time. The news was definitely bad. Mom was going to have a biopsy performed since they had found a lump in her breast. My heart dropped when I heard that. My Mom was healthy, she was in shape, she went for yearly exams, how could she have cancer? As is turns out, those yearly exams may have been what saved her life. It was discovered that they had found the lump in time and that she had an early stage of breast cancer. The lump was removed in surgery and my Mom was given radiation treatment. For someone who is used to running around and giving to others, I think it was tough to slow down and take care of herself. I was shocked when I called one day to check up on her and she was taking a nap, I don’t think I had often seen her even sit down during the day let alone take a nap. The treatment was certainly taking a toll on her body. Yet she persisted through it all.

Now here I was, swimming around a bay with my mother, and I found myself listening to her idea wondering if she could actually pull this one off. It was one year ago that she was officially declared cancer free, but would her body be up for the challenge? I realize now that I was underestimating the determination of my Mom. Since she made the decision to actually do this ride she has bought a new bike, created a route to follow, and devised a fund raising plan. Without fail, weekly and sometimes daily, I receive phone calls with biking updates; “I rode 30 miles today… I learned to change a tire… I rode 107 miles!” When she told me about that ride I knew she wouldn’t quit until she had accomplished her goal.

Success will not come easy here, and she will need a lot of support. So I find myself writing this not only to show my support for her but ultimately to encourage you to support her as well. You can donate money to Bike4Cancer online by clicking here or by mailing your donation to:

St Mary’s Health Care, Lacks Cancer Center
c/o Bike4Cancer
200 Jefferson SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

The donations will go directly to the Lacks Center at Saint Mary’s, a leader in cancer healthcare, to fund not only cancer research but also cancer treatment for those in need. Find out more about the Lacks Cancer Center at Saint Mary's on this website.

I have never really been much like my mom growing up. I was always pretty quiet and introspective, more like my Dad. As I am growing older though, I find myself becoming more social, and often laughing at my own jokes something I have always made fun of my Mom for doing. I realize that I am becoming more and more like her everyday. As she embarks on this adventure not only for herself, and the loved ones who we miss, but also for those whom she doesn’t even know yet rides for anyways, I can only hope that I will continue to grow more and more like her.

Petra