This is the credo Ann Everson Maree lives by. In March of 2003, Ann’s life changed when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Being diagnosed with cancer was a shock to her and her family since there is no history of cancer among them, and she had normal mammogram results the year before. Breast cancer is usually not terminal, but in Ann’s case, it has spread to her liver and into her bones. Treatment would only extend life, not cure the cancer. Ann has taken this obstacle in stride.

The cancer has damaged her spine, but her doctor is very happy with her current condition. “He was fine with me doing the ride,” Ann said referring to her recent trip to Texas. “I am feeling fine and I still do physical training.”

Last March, after learning of her diagnosis, Ann didn’t know what to do with her life. Her regular routine no longer was appealing and she felt she needed to get out and do more for herself and other cancer victims. That’s when she decided to join the Peloton Project.

This year, Ann and her husband, Al, became part of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and raised almost $9,000 for the Ride for the Roses weekend in October.

The LAF’s Peloton Project is a group of fundraisers and advocates who work together to improve the quality of life for those living with, through, and beyond cancer. Ann and her husband sent letters to family, friends, and members of their community in order to raise funds. The more money a person raises, the more miles they ride. On October 19 in Austin, Texas, Ann completed her 40 miles in three and a half hours. The ride left her with feelings of accomplishment and pride in herself and in the fight against cancer. (For more about the Peloton Project, visit www.laf.org.)

Ann and Al plan to do the Ride for the Roses every year and have ideas about starting awareness and support groups in their community. “Sometimes you need to look beyond your own situation to see how big the cancer problem is,” Ann said. Most people only see the patient as a victim of cancer, but spouses and families are victims as well.

“I don’t really think about it anymore,” she says of her cancer. “I just think about how I am going to live my life.” Continuing to live strong and helping others do the same are how Ann is living her life now.

Physically active since childhood, Ann earned a track scholarship to Shippensburg and in 1984, took first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship, qualified for NCAA Division II nationals, and set the university record in discus which still stands today. In 2001, Ann was inducted into the Shippensburg University Athletic Hall of Fame. Earlier this year, she was inducted into the Muhlenburg High School Hall of Fame.