Woodbridge Man Makes Ride to Conquer Cancer to Honor Friend

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(L-R) Bill Foshey and Larry Bedell during a ski trip with the Pentagon Ski Club. (L-R) Bill Foshey and Larry Bedell during a ski trip with the Pentagon Ski Club. (Photo submitted by Bill Foshey)

Over a thousand cyclists will hit the pavement during the Second Annual Ride to Conquer Cancer's two-day 150-mile bike ride Sept. 19 and 20. This year, a Prince William man, Bill Foshay will be among them.

This is the second year that Woodbridge resident Bill Foshay is participating in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, D.C., in honor of his good friend, Larry Bedell. Bedell, a graduate of West Point Academy, career U.S. Army Officer and avid skier, passed away from prostate cancer, Nov. 1, 2013, at the age of 71.

"Larry was a super guy. When he passed, I wanted to do something in his memory, but I wasn't sure what was out there. Then I found," Foshay said.

Foshay and Bedell met during a Pentagon Ski Club trip five or six years ago.

"It was my first trip with the club, and Larry took me under his wing," Foshay said.

The two hit it off right away and quickly realized they were similar in many ways. They both graduated from the same college, pursued careers in the Army, were avid skiers and enjoyed the outdoors. Each winter they skied together during the Pentagon Ski Club trips and caught up at monthly club meetings.

"We went up to Canada in March 2013, and Larry was not looking as well as he normally did... He confided in me that he had cancer," Foshey said.

During that ski trip, everyone noticed a change in Bedell. He wasn't skiing as aggressively as he normally did, and his appearance had changed. He eventually shared with the group his cancer diagnosis.

Bedell arrived at the club picnic in July looking worse than he had in March, but cancer didn't stop him from signing up for two ski trips that winter. He was a fighter with a positive attitude. But he never made it to the ski trips as he passed away that November, three and a half months later.

"It was astounding the positive outlook the guy had," Foshay said.

A year later, with the financial support and encouragement of Pentagon Ski Club members, Foshey participated in the first annual Ride to Conquer Cancer. He cycled with a thousand other cancer supporters and survivors, and they collectively raise over $2.6 million for cancer research. He looks forward to his cycling adventure this year as he fondly remembers his good friend, Larry.

Cyclists will depart RFK Stadium in D.C., Saturday, bike to Mount Airy Activity Grounds, and return to RFK Stadium. Funds raised will benefit Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Sibley Memorial, Suburban and Howard County general hospitals.

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