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Jen's Story: Strength and Determination in the Face of Adversity
 In December 2004, marketing executive and fitness enthusiast Jennifer Goodman Linn was diagnosed with MFH sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer. In the past five years Jen has fought four battles with this deadly disease. Her treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center included four major surgeries and 30 months of chemotherapy.
During her initial course of treatment, Jen derived true strength from her indoor cycling sessions. "Cycling enabled me to push myself to the best of my ability every day, and I believe that it saved my life," she said. At the same time, Jen developed a strong bond with her MSK caregivers and fellow patients and vowed that if she survived, she would do something to express her gratitude.
Jen demonstrated her determination to give back by working with her husband, Dave, to create Cycle for Survival, an indoor team cycling event held in January 2007. The inaugural event was an inspiration for all 50 teams and 230 participants. The second annual fundraiser far surpassed projected goals, with more than 100 teams "geared up to battle cancer," including worldwide satellite teams. The third annual event doubled in size, with 200 teams raising a record-breaking $1.2 million. In total, the event has raised more than $2 million, earning the distinction of being one of the most successful patient-initiated fundraisers in MSK history.
"I started Cycle for Survival as a grassroots effort, and it has blossomed into something very special," explained Jen. "The fact that this event has directly benefited patients motivates me to keep going. We've gained momentum, and we've already changed the way we're fighting rare cancers. I have great hope that this will ultimately lead to more treatment breakthroughs and higher survival rates so that there will be more of us who live to tell our unique tales." |
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