Brain Cancer Survivor Anne Feeley Bikes Cross-Country
Doctors gave her a year to live, but Anne Feeley beat cancer and plans on biking across the country to raise awareness for the disease.
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April 12, 2010
When Anne Feeley was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme tumor in 2006 (the same kind of tumor as Senator Ted Kennedy), doctors told her that she had only a year left to live. But, four years later, the cancer survivor is planning to bike cross country to raise awareness and $3 million for her cause.
The initiative, called Brains on Bikes, will start off at the University of California, San Fransisco, and finish 3,782 miles later in Washington, D.C.
"The odds were terrible," Feeley said of her survival. "It was overwhelming, but I felt a need to keep moving, doing whatever exercise possible to get through the debilitating effects of chemotherapy. Exercise is my way of fighting - a way to focus on positive feelings and get strong. I am very lucky to be able to do these things."
The National Cancer Institute reports that an estimated 22,070 Americans will be diagnosed with brain cancer this year and 12,920 will die of the disease.
Experts suggest that it's nearly impossible to pinpoint the causes of brain cancer, but avoiding exposure to radiation and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile is likely to reduce one's risk of developing the disease, according to MedTV.com.
Those with a family history of the disease are encouraged to talk to their doctors about screening.
Those who would like to donate to the cause are urged to visit BrainsOnBikes.org. Every dollar raised will go to directly benefit brain cancer awareness.
When Anne Feeley was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme tumor in 2006 (the same kind of tumor as Senator Ted Kennedy), doctors told her that she had only a year left to live. But, four years later, the cancer survivor is planning to bike cross country to raise awareness and $3 million for her cause.
The initiative, called Brains on Bikes, will start off at the University of California, San Fransisco, and finish 3,782 miles later in Washington, D.C.
"The odds were terrible," Feeley said of her survival. "It was overwhelming, but I felt a need to keep moving, doing whatever exercise possible to get through the debilitating effects of chemotherapy. Exercise is my way of fighting - a way to focus on positive feelings and get strong. I am very lucky to be able to do these things."
The National Cancer Institute reports that an estimated 22,070 Americans will be diagnosed with brain cancer this year and 12,920 will die of the disease.
Experts suggest that it's nearly impossible to pinpoint the causes of brain cancer, but avoiding exposure to radiation and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile is likely to reduce one's risk of developing the disease, according to MedTV.com.
Those with a family history of the disease are encouraged to talk to their doctors about screening.
Those who would like to donate to the cause are urged to visit BrainsOnBikes.org. Every dollar raised will go to directly benefit brain cancer awareness.
