Join Seminole Cyclists for October Cancer Awareness Month
Raising awareness about cancer is a powerful way to help prevent the disease, detect it early, and support those affected. Cancer involves uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, with common types including breast, lung, colorectal, and pediatric cancers. By learning about cancer risks, symptoms, and treatment options, you can protect yourself and others, contribute to important research, and provide meaningful support to patients and survivors. Joining community events, participating in fundraisers, volunteering, or simply educating those around you can create a significant impact in the fight against cancer. Throughout the month of October - Seminole Cyclists are highlighting some of our very own cancer warriors ! They give us a look into their personal experiences as a cancer fighter. You never know who in our club is going through their own battles, so maybe this can help them on their encounters. Thank you for joining us to raise Cancer Awareness! Seminole Cyclists Board Members
Support Cancer Research at UCF College of Medicine SC Cancer Warriors Seminole Cyclists recognizes that October is widely known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, the Board understands that there are many types of cancer and wants to take the opportunity to support general cancer awareness. You may or may not know that on any given Seminole Cyclist ride, you are likely riding with a cancer warrior! To raise awareness and to encourage you to take care of your own body by getting proper examinations, we are highlighting a few of our club members that were willing to share their story. We will be sharing their journey throughout the next month on our membership platform. Check out our cancer survivor stories for:Lisa Reetz, Greg Boyd and Scott Ahrendt. Seminole Cyclists is a group of diverse individuals with many of you fighting private or public cancer battles. We support you and lift you up! To honor all cancer warriors, please join us in raising awareness during the month of October. Specifically, we will dedicate our Signature Saturday ride on Saturday, October 11th, where we will proudly sport our new pink breast cancer awareness jerseys, but please feel free to wear a color of any cancer support cause you wish! In addition, Seminole Cyclists is proud to support the UCF’s Division of Cancer Research. Please use the link below, and share it with friends and family, to support this fantastic, local cause! https://ucffoundation.org/seminolecyclist
Scott Ahrendt - Cancer Survivor Shares His Story Scott’s cancer journey began with numbness in his right thumb and forefinger. A chiropractor visit didn’t bring relief, which led to an X-ray and then an MRI of his neck. The scan revealed a tumor on the C5 vertebrae. While that tumor turned out to be benign, further tests uncovered a malignant tumor on his right kidney. The discovery was frightening, especially since his son, Landon, had already faced a rare pediatric cancer—rhabdomyosarcoma—when he was just nine years old. The hardest part was confronting his own mortality. Treatment required an 18-hour spinal surgery, titanium rods, and a long rehabilitation process. Scott feels blessed with access to some of the best surgeons and oncologists in the world. Scott says what got them through was faith, family, and community. They chose to believe that every day held a blessing, and that it was up to them to find it. With Landon’s treatments, it was especially difficult as a parent to watch him endure chemotherapy and radiation—something no parent should ever have to witness. Landon passed away three weeks before his 11th birthday. In the midst of heartbreak, they recognized how fortunate they were to have support that not every family receives. That realization, and Landon’s own direction, led the Ahrendt family to start the L3 (Live Love Landon) FoundationSince then, the foundation has raised over $1,000,000 for pediatric cancer research, including promising new approaches like immunotherapy, and has provided direct support to families in need. We’ve partnered with hospitals and research centers, and most meaningfully, Landon’s legacy has inspired his sisters, his friends, and classmates to pursue careers in pediatric oncology and medical research. Through it all, their daughters’ journeys have been just as important. Siblings often carry a quiet burden—watching their brother or sister go through treatment, while also coping with their own fears and grief. They learned how critical it is to support siblings, to make space for their feelings, and to remind them they are seen, loved, and central to the family’s story too. Landon’s sisters have been incredible sources of strength, and their commitment to carrying forward his legacy shows the powerful impact siblings can make when they are supported with love and care. The experience changed the family’s outlook on life. They know now, more than ever, the importance of faith, advocacy, and presence. If Scott could offer encouragement to someone just beginning this journey, it would be this: have faith and trust that there is a plan, even when it’s hard to see; remember that you are your child’s greatest advocate; support the siblings along the way—they are heroes in their own right; and never forget to look for the blessings each day—they are always there. |
OCTOBER CYCLIST OF THE MONTH IS AN “ACE” New blood is the life blood of many organizations, and the Seminole Cyclists are no different. One of the more impactful new members to SC in the past few years has been Andres “Ace” Acevedo. Past 2025 Cyclist of the Month Awardees 2025 Tony Award Winners Upcoming events
Lisa
has been cancer free for three years and works every day to live her
best life! She is incredibly grateful for the support of her cycling
family, and states that riding her bike helped her through hard times,
relieving stress, anxiety, depression, all the emotions that a person
may encounter when diagnosed with cancer. Every day, Lisa is thankful
for her family, friends and her bike!
Greg states that the outlook on the spot removed is great, and he continues to go for checkups every six months. Greg “highly recommends that everyone reading this gets checked out because as cyclists we are exposed to some brutal sun exposure.” |
Lisa Reetz - Cancer Survivor Shares Her Story
Greg Boyd - Cancer Survivor Shares His Story
WHY JOIN the seminole cyclists?Our motto is 'We Build Strong Riders'. We achieve this through safety practices, paceline instruction and guidance, healthy lifestyle pursuits, and having a great time with our cycling friends! |
