My paternal grandmother defeated breast cancer before I was born. She was the biggest role model for me growing up, and she always supported all of my dreams and passions. I always thought she would get to see me graduate college and move to San Francisco, the dream city we both shared in common. Fast forward to the fall of 2019. Nearly three decades since she had survived breast cancer, my grandmother found out that the cancer had come back and spread to her lungs. With the cancer and medication having weakened her lungs, my grandmother caught pneumonia, which ultimately led to her passing on October 6, 2019. I was lucky enough to spend her final hours by her side, but I suffered from a long period of grief and anger at how cancer had taken my grandma away from me. I had expressed to her my plans to apply for T4K, and now she will never be able to meet me in Alaska. I made a promise to her, though, that I would always chase my dreams and fight for others in life. I hold within my heart and soul her beauty, kindness, strength, and everlasting courage; all of which will accompany me as I embark on this journey to Alaska and every other journey in life.

Just when I thought I was in the clear from cancer affecting the people I loved, a few months later, my own mother was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 27, 2019. My family had barely begun to recover from the grief of my grandma’s death, and now my family was going to have to battle cancer alongside my mom. My mom’s side of the family has no history of cancer, so when she went in to get her annual mammogram/biopsy test, none of us were expecting her to come out with such a look of shock, confusion, and fear on her face. That day forever changed her life, and mine. Within days, we had found out that fortunately the lump in her right breast was still small, and that the cancer was non-invasive. She had a mastectomy done, and then later a surgery to remove part of her infected lymph nodes. She went through many rounds of radiation therapy, and yet persevered like the courageous warrior that she is. As of April 2020, I can proudly say my mother is cancer-free. Throughout her fight, I remember just being in constant shock and appreciation with how quickly things were being resolved. It is so important that women get themselves regularly checked for breast cancer, because it can happen to anyone. This is a painful reality that my mom is sharing through her personal testimony and that I hope to share during my time in T4K. I am eternally grateful of all the efforts made by past riders in raising money for the research that allowed my mom to defeat breast cancer.

So why do I ride? So that I can be the next person that raises the money and awareness needed for the future generations of research that will hopefully save more mothers, women, and others around the world. I, alongside my team, am prepared to go the extra mile to ensure treatment and prevention of such a deadly disease is more accessible to all in need.

I ride in honor of:
My late grandmother, Linda "Nina" Gross (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
My mother, Norma Gross

If you or a loved one has battled with cancer and would like to share your testimony with me, I would be honored to dedicate my ride to you/them! Please contact me at danielagross03@gmail.com