Spencer Bonar

Spencer graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in May, 2012. This summer he is riding with a group of college students on a 70 day, 4000+ mile bike ride from Baltimore to Seattle.

What is your connection with the cancer community?

The summer before my senior year of high school my dad was diagnosed with cancer. I remember struggling with the idea at first. My dad seemed the same, still had his goofy sense of humor, and it was hard for me to believe that he had a life-threatening disease. But within months that changed. He grew weak and spent weeks on end in the hospital. What were once thick, hairy arms became thin, pale, and brittle. More than anything else I felt helpless. And I hated it.

Since then, my dad has made a full recovery. Four years later he’s back at work telling the same dorky jokes. In fact, with the exception of a few scars you might not even know he had cancer. But for me, that memory will never fade. Seeing the most important man in my life go through such a transformation has changed who I am and so I will always feel a strong personal connection with the cancer community.

Why are you riding the 4K for Cancer?

For me, the hardest part of seeing my dad struggle with cancer was an overwhelming sense of helplessness. My most difficult memories of his fight against cancer are at the hospital. I went frequently and it felt like each time I visited he had become weaker. The hardest part was feeling like I couldn’t do anything to make him better. By riding the 4k and raising money for cancer treatment and research, I’ll finally be in a position to make a substantial difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

Riding the 4k will give me the opportunity to enter communities across the country that have been affected by cancer. For me, the chance to cook for, socialize with, and bring some cheer to the lives of cancer patients is invaluable. I’m looking forward to letting patients know that there are many dedicated people supporting them who they might not have known were there. Finally, by riding more than 4000 miles over 70 days, I hope to gain a better understanding of the strength and endurance that is required from patients with cancer. I’ve seen firsthand the toll chemotherapy took on my dad. While cycling across the United States isn’t comparable to what he went through, at the end of the ride I will know that I have made a substantial contribution to people affected by cancer.

Spencer Bonar

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