July 8, 2008 – On June 18, 2007, my former cycling coach, Karen Strong, received devastating news — suspected breast cancer. One year later, she has gone through surgery, chemo and radiation and is doing very well. She was recently approached by the organizers of the “˜Calgary Ride with Lance’ to enter a team that will ride from Canmore to Lake Louise alongside Lance Armstrong and Robin Williams.

Karen’s team is called “Strong Connections” and consists of four of my former National Team teammates — Kelly-Anne Erdman, Maria Hawkins, Sarah Neil and Alison Sydor. While I won’t be on the bike with them on August 22, I am assisting the team by trying to raise funds.

We had the opportunity to have a National Team reunion last fall in Calgary, the first time we were all together since the early nineties. We relived all the great times we had as a successful team “˜back in the day’. When you click on the link below, you’ll see the photo of that get-together. Karen was always our fearless leader and continues to be a positive presence in our lives and an inspiration for all.

If you would like to donate to this great cause, we would be sincerely grateful. You can help us former World Class Athletes and Olympians give back to all the women who may be battling this disease.

Please Go to website www.calgaryridewithlance.ca – then enter “˜Team Strong Connections’ in the Team Name or Karen Strong as captain. You may donate to the individual riders or the team.