The first day is done. Hopefully all of you have had your rubdowns and are laughing at the day’s adventures. Rest well heroes, your slumber is well deserved.

The last few days before y’all hit the road was great. We had a reunion ride with over 30 team members past and present in attendance. Many of us had the opportunity to relive our fondest memories and toughest times from rides past during our video sessions. Two words kept coming up over and over again in the days conversations. Heroes and Warriors.

We all know our warriors push us, inspire us and allow us to dig deeper than we would on our own. They are the reason we do this ride. Not a ride goes by when we don’t think of a warrior fighting or remember a warrior we have lost. Again, warriors are why we ride.

But we often forget about the heroes. Usually because we are too humble or modest to recognize them. One hero we saw today was Dr. Gluck. Hearing him speak today about what he and his team at the cancer center do everyday truly epitiomizes the word hero. He is a hero to patients and families who fight against this terrible disease. Win or lose, they are heroes. The other heroes are the ones I saw cycle out of the cancer center today and in years past. Salesmen, chemists, bar owners, super store managers, quality control guys, nannies, bankers, nurses, truck drivers, attendance clerks, wives, husbands, and others…normal everyday folks who have decided to take up arms (or legs in this case) and fight for what they believe in…a cure for cancer, healing for the people they love. Not because they know they will win the fight, not because they seek glory, but because they know someone has to…and it might as well be them. Being the one to fight the good fight, to do a little more, to take a stand. Like most heroes, none of you would admit to being a hero, claim the title or even consider it..another trait of a hero, but everyone of you is a hero. Wear the title proudly and humbly if you must, but know in your hearts and when you look in the mirror…we see you as heroes…you are heroes. Thank You.

Dear Lord we ask your blessing and safe keeping for our heroes…Bless those who get up more times than they are knocked down, those who give more than they expect to receive, those who show love to others even when their own heart is broken, who smile through hard times and light the ways for others, who spread laughter and joy to others. Bless them for making the world a better place. Bless these, our Challenge to Conquer Cancer Heroes. Amen