I ride because of my daughter, Martha. She was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing Sarcoma in August 2015 when she was 13. It was her second day of 8th grade. As her twin sister, Annie, went off to school, Martha went to Children's Hospital Colorado and was diagnosed with cancer. The girls have gone to and from school together since they started preschool. Everything changed that year. Annie went by herself most of 8th grade. Martha was cancer free in April of 2016 after eight months of treatment which included: surgeries, chemo, radiation, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, and hospital stays.

Martha relapsed in August of 2017 when she was 15, with metastasis in her lungs. As Annie went to her first day of 10th grade, Martha had surgery to get her second port placed. Martha missed most of 10th grade. This was just weeks after Martha completed the 2017 Courage Classic. She recently relapsed for the second time on May 30, 2019. We have no idea how this will affect her Senior year. But knowing Martha she will figure out a way to graduate on time and continue to get all A's. She started in a clinical trial at Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO) on June 10th. She is planning on riding in the Courage Classic July 20-21 for her fourth year while she is undergoing chemo. As always, Martha continues to stay positive and keeps her “kick ass” attitude. We could not have done it without the help of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at CHCO.

If I have met my fundraising goal of $1000, please consider contributing to Martha. She raised over $25,000 last year and has been one of the top ten fundraisers every year she has ridden. She would love your help to become the top fundraiser this year! You are able to donate to her campaign by going to her personal Courage Classic fundraising page and searching for her by name. Contact me if you need help with this. I am unable to post actual link here.

Please keep Martha in your thoughts and prayers. She has a tough fight ahead of her. Thanks to everyone for your continued support of Team Martha. (If you would like to get updates please search for "Team Martha" on caringbridge.com)
Thanks so much and love to you all!