Blood, sweat and gears: Rallying together for cancer research

Rachel Burge
August 24, 2021
Rachel Burge riding a bicycle.
Rachel Burge riding a bicycle while training for LOWVELO. Photo captured by Rachel Burge.

Butt sweaty, knees weak, legs heavy… This biking thing isn't as easy as I had imagined. Things are slightly different from my experiences ten years ago as a spry 15-year-old biking around our neighborhood delivering junk mail, my bike loaded down with several pounds of useless coupons and the latest K-Mart specials.

Coming back to a real bicycle for the first time in a decade, with a few extra pounds (is the freshman 15 still a thing in Graduate School?) was a little more difficult than I had bargained for. Maybe a twenty-something mile bike ride isn’t exactly what the guy at the bike shop meant by "easing into it". The multi-colored bruises on my inner thighs and screaming legs are proof of that.

As a second-year Ph.D. student in the Hollings Cancer Center, I have made my fair share of mistakes in the last year. I have tried setting up lab experiments my way before circling back to the recommendation of my principal investigator (PI) who has 15-40 years more experience than me. But my worst mistake so far is betting one of my PIs, someone who consistently bikes 50+ miles every week, that I could match his cycling time for a 57-mile bike ride.

"We can perform a simple act to help those who lost someone, support those currently going through cancer, and honor a lost loved one by joining LOWVELO."

-- Rachel Burge

The bet: If I win, he donates $300 to my fundraising profile supporting cancer research. When I inevitably lose, I have to join the Peloton group The Pharma-cyclists: a regular cycling group in the Pharmacology department.

Why are we both doing this? Great question! I asked myself that when I couldn't sit down without wincing for two days. LOWVELO is an annual fundraising bike ride, where 100% of participant-raised dollars goes towards funding lifesaving cancer research at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston. Riders can choose among many different routes, ranging from family friendly 10 miles, to a moderate 21 miles, all the way to an exhausting 100 miles. LOWVELO brings people together to honor and celebrate cancer survivors while fundraising to enable scientists like myself to work towards cures for tomorrow's patients. In 2021 alone, 1,898,160 new cancer cases and 608,570 cancer deaths are projected to occur in the U.S.

The big “C”. Cancer is a simple word that holds so much power – a death sentence, hopelessness, fear. We often wonder what we can do to help people and families in this situation. Having lost my Dad to Leukemia when I was 14, LOWVELO’s purpose hits close to home. We can perform a simple act to help those who lost someone, support those currently going through cancer, and honor a lost loved one by joining this cause and raising money for cancer research, all while riding alongside those who are biking in memory of a loved one.

So here I am with a bet on the table. How hard can a 57-mile bike ride be? I jumped straight to a 20-mile bike ride for fun, so surely in November I can do 57. No problem, right? Famous last words. My competitive nature tells me I have a chance if I push hard enough. However, it doesn’t matter if the 57-mile ride will be difficult; I relish the opportunity to dedicate miles to people’s loved ones while contributing to meaningful research, that along with early prevention, has reduced cancer deaths by 30%.

These statistics still offer little comfort for those receiving a cancer diagnosis. I challenge you to think about what this ride could mean to you and your friends and family. I urge you to step outside your comfort zone. Join me and make some new friends. *Caveat: These potential new friends are 85% sweaty and 100% crazy, with surprisingly well-shaped calves and butts.

Register. Raise money. Push yourself. Every dollar goes straight towards life-changing research.

I ride for those I have lost and for those struggling with cancer. I ride for those who, in the aftermath of cancer, are working to repair their lives. I ride for those who are dealing with long-term side effects and the aftermath of intensive therapy. I ride for those who are confronting statistics that stare them in the face every day. I ride for the families of cancer patients, for the partners, children, and friends whose lives were ripped apart in the space of a day. Together WE can play a part in a patient hearing the magical words "you are cancer free".

You can donate directly to my profile or sign up here! To learn more, receive updates, and see the potential bike routes, check out the website, blog, or the Hollings Cancer News Center. Whether you are donating, volunteering, or riding 10, 21, 57, 100 miles, stationary or virtually, I hope to see you on November 6th, 2021.