In honor of her brother, Jim Breslin, Maureen Breslin Romano of Bristow is participating in the First Annual Ride to Conquer Cancer on September 13 and 14.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a 150-mile cycling fundraiser to benefit Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Sibley Memorial and Suburban Hospitals. The ride begins and ends in Kensington, Maryland with an overnight camp in Walkersville, Maryland.
Romano saw a TV commercial for the Ride to Conquer Cancer in January about the time that Jim received good news from Johns Hopkins about his prospects for recovery. Romano decided to sign up for the ride, thinking it would be a challenge, and a good way to help those fighting cancer.
“It was kind of a fluke,” she said.
Later, when Jim passed away from esophageal cancer, Romano realized she had to follow through with her plans as a way to honor him, bring attention to the cause and raise money to help others with cancer.
“I feel like I still need to finish what I started, and hopefully, somebody else won’t be in the situation we’re in now,” Romano said.
She also liked that the ride would benefit Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, saying, “Hopkins did a lot of what other hospitals couldn’t do.”
Romano also felt a certain duty to raise awareness about esophageal cancer.
“It not very common, and there is not a lot of research on it,” she explained.
It is also a disease that can seemingly strike anyone. In Jim’s case, he had just about reached middle age. He was of a healthy weight and did not drink or smoke.
Preparing for the ride meant a firm commitment on Romano’s part. She has never been an avid cyclist, but suddenly found herself training for a two day, 150-mile ride.
She found a guide of how much she should be riding each week, and began her training. Often, she divided it up between spin classes, quick bike laps during the week and longer bike rides on the weekends.
Romano had done the Avon Walk for Cancer, but knew this ride would involve even more preparation.
“It’s quicker than a walk,” she said, but she also likes the fact that it is a challenge. Romano is certainly up for the challenge.
“Our ride doesn’t compare with what those with cancer have to deal with every day,” she said.
Romano works as a social worker at Battlefield High School; her coworkers there have been very generous. She is also riding with family members on Team Jim Breslin. Her teammates include her brother, Tim Breslin, as well as other family members and friends of Jim from the Fairfax Fire Department. The team includes riders Kristin Gaulard, Kimberly Larson, Chris Brosan, Steve McNeal, Brent Schnupp and Jason Smith.
“Tim’s raised the most, because he has the Breslin name,” she said.
Many have also donated because of their relationship with Jim, who was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and firefighter for over 28 years. Friends and family remember Jim for his kindness, integrity, loyalty as well as his quick wit.
To date, Maureen has raised over $8,000 for the cause, and Team Jim Breslin has raise $36,211 collectively. Team Jim Breslin is listed among the top fundraising teams, and is currently in 7th place.
Romano wants donors to know that the hospital receives the money immediately and can thus use it immediately to help cancer patients.
Those who would like to donate can visit www.ridetovictory.org to find Team Jim Breslin listed under top teams or visit this direct link.
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