From the pages of Peak Region Cyclist
Interview by David Pico

Marge Milne is one of three honorary chairs working to promote the Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure, slated for July 16. We caught up with her to find out what’s driving her to be involved in a ride for such a great cause.

How did you become a chairperson of this ride?
Alison Dunlap asked me to be a chairperson. She has been my coach and a good friend and I was honored to be asked.

How has breast cancer affected you?
I was fortunate that a routine mammogram found my cancer. The diagnosis was the scary part. I had to have a stereotactic biopsy on Halloween! Then I had to wait four or five days for the result. Once I had the diagnosis I was referred to a team of doctors who were very caring and explained the entire process to me. All in all I had 3 surgeries; a lumpectomy, a tube insertion for chemo, then finally, six months later, a mastectomy.
I had an insurance agency at the time and had to rely on my good staff to take care of our customers while I was in treatment.

Click here to register for the Susan G. Komen Ride for the Cure

Who or what will you be riding for?
I’m hopeful that I can complete the 72-mile loop. I have a cousin who was diagnosed at age 38 and I will be riding for her. Also, I hope to be able to raise a lot of money for the cure.

What has cycling done for you?
I’ve been riding bikes since I was 5. We didn’t own a car when I was growing up, so the bicycle was my transportation and my freedom.
I took my first bicycling trip to southern Germany and Austria in 1977 and found that I could see so much more from the seat of a bicycle than any other way I could imagine traveling. I have traveled in Australia, New Zealand, Holland and Chile by bicycle and hope to do more.

We have the Run for the Cure. What does cycling bring to the fight against breast cancer?
I think that it’s great to involve a new segment who might not run in the fight for the cure.

What kind of people would you like to see ride in the Ride for the Cure?
I’d like to see anyone who owns a bicycle out there! The 15-mile out and back will be great for beginners. I think that they will be done before they know it. The 44-mile ride is challenging. I do it 2-3 times a year. The prairie is just beautiful! The Ellicott loop will be very challenging and I think advanced cyclists will enjoy this ride.

What does this ride mean to you?
It’s an important event to me. To get to ride for a cause that I believe in and have been affected with is a great opportunity. I believe that there is going to be a cure for breast cancer. In the meantime, Komen supports so many survivors, promotes screening, and educates so many about breast cancer that many lives are saved by early detection.