News
Race Across America: Meet the Riders
Fort Wayne, Indiana (March 24, 2009) — Imagine riding a bike for 3,000 miles through sun and rain, heat and cold, day in, day out, nonstop! That’s just what breast cancer survivors Beth Goldsmith and Lisa Friedman will be doing this June as they head up two teams to create Team Vera Bradley in the Race Across America.
in the Race Across America
When: Starting June 20, 2009
Where: Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland
Total miles: 3,000
Introducing Team Vera Bradley: Beth Goldsmith and Lisa Friedman, two breast cancer survivors who are thriving and riding across America to raise awareness and funds.
Beth Goldsmith (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
"I am a proud breast cancer survivor of one year. After personally battling the disease as well as watching many of the women in my family fight breast cancer, it is my mission to be sure that I make the most out of each moment. My name is Beth Goldsmith, and I am one of many women in my family who has been affected by breast cancer. I lost my sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother to the disease. My mother and aunt are also breast cancer survivors. It is for these brave women in my family that I will Race Across America. I also ride to give my nieces and other young women hope that breast cancer will soon be cured. Additionally, I am competing to send the message that a breast cancer survivor can not only survive, but thrive.
As a successful Coldwell Banker real estate agent, when I lost my sister and business partner to breast cancer, I made a commitment to take an active role in helping find a cure for breast cancer. Each time I sell a home, I make a donation to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. I am proud to support the Vera Bradley Foundation, and it is an honor to Race Across America with Team Vera Bradley.
I survive, I thrive, and I know it's a good life after all."
Lisa Friedman (Phoenix, Arizona)
"Right after I finished my first triathlon, I found the lump. Only 34 years old, no family history of breast cancer and very physically active… I thought this was not even possible – couldn’t be breast cancer. It was, of course, and I went through all of the tough things that most patients have to endure. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation – it’s such a change and a challenge for a nurse to be the one on the receiving end of care and treatment. That was a hard year, but now my journey continues. I will be riding across America with RAAM, and I will do all I can to make sure we get research dollars in the hands of brilliant researchers. I am Lisa Friedman and by riding to survive and thrive, I will make a change in this world for the better, and for all."
Scott Karr (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
"My step-mother passed away last August after a 10-year struggle with breast cancer. It is in her honor that I will ride this event. I also hope the funds raised will lessen the suffering of others in the future. I strive to live and ride mindfully."
Brian Lee (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
"With my patients, occasionally I am the one who has to break the news that they have breast cancer. My mother-in-law also has survived breast cancer. I also ride for the freedom and physical and mental escape from the daily grind – I like riding with my son. I will ride to work if I do not have several hospitals (I’m a doctor) to go to in a day."
Thomas J. Pintar (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
"I’ve had many friends, family and family of friends touched by breast cancer. Currently my partner’s mother-in-law is going through treatment of recurrent, metastatic breast cancer."
Support the Vera Bradley Foundation’s mission to fund research for a cure.