Why we do what we do
Two years ago, a group of friends joined together to host a local cycling event. Some had lost friends to cancer; some had lost a parent, some BOTH parents. One had fought the disease herself. Two years, three events and over $250,000 later, the Palmetto Peloton Project is more committed and determined than ever to make a difference.
Our riders can tell you more. We are honored to have riders who share their stories with us. Jeni Schumacher is one of them. Jeni exemplifies the spirit of our mission. Her story follows:
Fellow members of the Palmetto Peloton,
I am an amateur rider. I wanted to let you know how awesome this experience
was for me.
I
am a cancer survivor. I have been battling melanoma now for 3 years.
This has been a fairly easy ride for me compared to what most cancer
patients have been through. I thank God everyday for all the blessings
I have had.
Some feelings I had today were
amazing. I never thought in my wildest dreams
that I would be able to
accomplish a metric century which included Paris Mountain. Wow. That
was tough. All I could think of climbing up to the top was what some
people have to endure for their treatments.........Don't stop, don't
stop. If they can beat their Chemo and treatments, you can certainly
climb this mountain just like they have to do. Think about the game
that goes on with their minds. Think about the struggles
they have to go through. The pain the families see. The struggles with
cancer coming back or the uncertainties of what is around the
corner...Don't stop....Don't stop! ( I didn't stop going up that
mountain because of them)
I
have had 49 surgeries in 3 years. That's a lot of stitches. I never
stopped thanking God. I am so grateful that I have a body. That I have
my hair. That I haven't had my lymph nodes removed. Just moles and
skin.
Do you know what completed this
wonderfully blessing of an experience? Not only was I riding with a
great group of friends who laughed and grunted just like me.......but,
I little amateur Jeni, never been on an organized ride like this, got
to see GEORGE HINCAPIE, DAVID ZABRISKIE, LEVI LEIPHEIMER and the rest
of this pack swoosh right by me after I came down the mountain. I was
thrilled to death. That just made it for me. I not only completed the
longest ride of my life (but not the last) with
some of my closest friends, but I got a chance to see George Hincapie
smile at me. That was it. I am sold. I will cherish this for a long
time. You can bet your sore bottom I will be there next year.
I
helped pass out packets on Friday night. I road the longest ride of my
life (to date) and now........ I have a huge smile on my face and I am
going to take a nap so that I can play tonight in downtown Greenville.
Thank
you so much for all your hard work. Everyone. [P3 Team].....Sag stop
volunteers and everyone. I really enjoyed meeting you all and I can't
wait for next year.
My pillow is calling me. Thanks for letting me "share the road experience" with you.
Sincerely with so many Blessings for a Great Time, Great Ride and Great Fellowship,
Jeni
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