BellRinger Weekend: ‘Why I Ride’

Posted in Lombardi Stories  |  Tagged BellRinger, philanthropy

Note: Some responses edited for brevity.

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Sharyn Lie (G’04)

Sharyn Lie (G’04) is riding 100 miles with the Cyclists Crushing Cancer team.

Why are you riding BellRinger?

Cancer has plagued my family, and I want to help find a cure for it. I was biking daily to radiation when I heard about the ride. Since I had been able to bike throughout chemo and radiation, I felt empowered to sign up for this ride.

Were you a cyclist before you signed up?

Yes, I was a biking commuter.

What has kept you motivated throughout your training and fundraising?

Before I signed up for this ride, I had never ridden more than 25 miles. The thought of biking further and longer than I’ve ever biked before is pretty motivating for me to stick with the training. On the fundraising side, it’s been an amazing group effort. My friends and family have been incredibly generous — a special shoutout to my mother (a colon cancer survivor), who has done an incredible job mobilizing the Massachusetts fundraising efforts.

Can you share a memorable moment from your experience preparing for BellRinger?

I’ve enjoyed taking my bike with me all over the East Coast this summer and training/exploring in new places like Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Cambridge, Maryland; and Ashland, Virginia. The attached photo is from my team’s (Cyclists Crushing Cancer) awesome training ride last weekend. We went 80 miles through Maryland, another personal high for me!

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your BellRinger experience?

While I signed up to do this ride because I wanted to raise money to help cure cancer, it has been incredibly rewarding to know that because of this training I’m stronger now than I was before breast cancer.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for anyone interested in getting involved in BellRinger?

Just do it! Follow the training guide and don’t be afraid to ask for help (my team includes far more experienced bikers who have helped me with my training).

Allison Dowling, Georgetown University Health Justice Alliance

Allison Dowling, medical-legal partnership director for the Health Justice Alliance Cancer Legal Assistance and Wellbeing (LAW) Project at MedStar Washington Hospital Center’s Cancer Institute, is riding 100 miles with the Health Justice Alliance team.

Why are you riding BellRinger?

I’m riding BellRinger for all the patients and families that have been affected by cancer. In 2020, the Health Justice Alliance at Georgetown launched the Cancer LAW Project, which is a medical-legal partnership providing no-cost legal services to cancer patients. As the director of Cancer LAW, I see firsthand the effects of cancer and how legal issues can often impact a patient’s ability to prioritize treatment and care. When BellRinger launched, I was thrilled to be able to combine my love of cycling with my passion for health equity!

Were you a cyclist before you signed up?

I started cycling as an adult when I was in law school as a stress relief. I found an inexpensive, used road bike on Craigslist that turned out to be older than me and was hooked. I’ve since upgraded bikes and added spin classes to my routine.

What has kept you motivated throughout your fundraising and training?

Fundraising is tough, but I’ve been so impressed with my donors’ generosity. I’m riding in memory of my mom, who died from breast cancer, and it’s always wonderful when I’m training and I can hear her voice in my head telling me that riding a bike a billion miles for cancer is both crazy and wonderful.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for anyone interested in getting involved in BellRinger?

Sign up! The first time I did a big, organized race I was intimidated. I didn’t have the cycling outfit or body, and feared I wouldn’t be able to keep up. The fundraising goal seemed so lofty, and I wasn’t sure that anyone would give money. I ended up hitting the goal and having a blast, and it really motivated me to do more rides like BellRinger. And for the record, it turned out there were quite a few other people not in cycling attire!

Fitz Lufkin (C’11, G’12)

Fitz Lufkin (C’11, G’12), president-elect of the Georgetown University Alumni Association, is riding 50 miles with the Deloitte team.

Why are you riding BellRinger?

I am riding in BellRinger in honor and in memory of two of my aunts: Joanne, who is a proud breast cancer survivor, and Tricia, whom we sadly lost to ovarian cancer in 2014. Both of these amazing women showed incredible strength and ferocity during their treatment, and it is their determination that inspires me.

Were you a cyclist before signing up?

I started cycling at the height of the pandemic in 2020. What started as a way to get outside and stay active during that time has developed into one of my favorite hobbies.

What has kept you motivated throughout your training and fundraising?

We have an amazing community in Team Deloitte. Putting the team together has been a wonderful way to meet new colleagues and riding partners. Additionally, hearing about the incredible work being done to advance prevention and treatment at Georgetown Lombardi makes the hard work of cycling seem very easy in comparison.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your BellRinger experience?

Knowing I’m a part of the inaugural event in what is sure to become an annual tradition is something very special. I look forward to seeing how this first group of BellRinger riders lays the foundation for many years of impact.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for anyone interested in getting involved with BellRinger?

Just start riding! The DC region has a welcoming and supportive cycling community and a (thankfully) growing number of safe and beautiful places to ride. If fundraising is your concern, I think you’ll be surprised at the generosity of your colleagues, neighbors, family and friends.

Jennifer Zack (M’25)

Jennifer Zack (M’25) is a triple Hoya who founded the GU Medicine Cycling Club, colloquially referred to as the “KREBS Cyclers.”

Why are you riding BellRinger? 

I started KREBS Cyclers after learning that my friend was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He’s only 30 years old and has been doing well with his treatment, but the diagnosis was still shocking. I’m riding for him. 

Who’s on your team? 

Everyone on my team is a medical student. It’s a good outlet for us to have something to train for and have a goal outside of school. We’re connected to a lot of people working in the health care community, and we’re constantly encouraged to find outlets like cycling to prevent burnout in our professions. 

What will your group focus on after BellRinger? 

My hope is that BellRinger will expand our philanthropic goals. I would like us to connect with Gearin’ Up Bicycles in DC to help empower youth through exercise. Plus, biking allows youth a safe and healthy way to get to school and back home.

Samika Hariharan (H’24)

Samika Hariharan (H’24) is volunteering for BellRinger by directing volunteers who are part of the Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service (GERMS), a student-run, university-based emergency ambulance service.

Why do you ride?

I am not an actual cyclist in the race, but I am helping out with BellRinger as the director of standbys for GERMS because I lost my grandfather to colon cancer. I also work as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Weiner’s lab and want to support cancer research as much as possible.

Who’s on your team?

I don’t think I am an official team member, but I am participating in BellRinger as a part of Georgetown’s Emergency Response Medical Services. We are providing our EMS event standby services at the event to ensure that everybody is safe at the welcome dinner and the race start. We are excited to be able to be a part of the race and to partner with BellRinger for the event! GERMS members who are not on duty during the event are also helping out as general volunteers and drivers on race day.

What will your group focus on after BellRinger?

After BellRinger, we will continue to serve the greater Georgetown community as a part of GERMS, and would love to partner with other fundraising events in the future. A lot of us do cancer research, and we are hopeful that the funds that BellRinger raises truly make a difference in the next few years of research.