Cycling for cancer: Three men, three bikes, one goal

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Cycling for most can be categorized as a leisure sport or a means of transportation, but for three 8th Maintenance Squadron Airmen, it's a way of life.

A cycling legend once said, "Great cyclists are not born great, they are average cyclists slowly morphed into greatness over the hundreds of thousands of miles they ride."

This mentality is one that is threaded through the very nature of these maintainer's being, as they cycle for their family members lost to one of the world's leading causes of death, cancer.

Tech. Sgt. Marc Sellers, 8th MXS aircraft metals technology NCO in charge, began cycling in 2005 after the passing of his mother due to cancer.

"I became very interested in The Lance Armstrong Foundation and cancer awareness," he said. "I was looking for a way to get involved in the cancer community and cycling was the key. Many events that raised awareness or funds involved cycling."

In a continued effort to raise awareness for a cause that has touched so many people from all walks of life, Sellers and his friends, Master Sgts. Paul Branstetter and George Greene, mounted their bikes early in the morning Sept. 3 and rode more than 105 miles with elevation variations up to 6,500 feet to Osan AB effectively raising more than $1,300 for The Lance Armstrong Foundation, one of many Combined Federal Campaign charities.

Branstetter, 8th MXS precision guided munitions NCO in charge, and Greene, 8th MXS assistant fabrication flight chief, both said they were inspired to ride due to family members being affected by the deadly disease as well.

"My dad passed away from Leukemia when he was 36," said Branstetter. "I could never imagine leaving my wife and children alone in this world at this age. I told myself when I turned 36 that I would do everything I could to keep myself healthy so I could see my girls grow old."

"My mother is a cancer survivor," added Greene. "She is also one of the most compassionate people I have ever known. Her compassion and drive to help others has always inspired me and helped me get through challenges in my life."

Though the three knew their ride up to Osan would be difficult and full of obstacles, their perseverance and dedication to the cause couldn't have been stronger.

"My riding is inspired by my father and mother," Sellers said. "I was very blessed to have incredible parents. My father was my father, but he was also my best friend and my hero. There isn't a day that goes by I don't think of him, there isn't a hill I climb that he is not pushing me up.

"My mother also provides a lot of fuel to my drive and desire," continued Sellers. "She was simply an amazing person. She donated somewhere around 20 to 25 years of her life to community service, and by community service I mean working eight hours a day, five days a week; it doesn't get much more amazing than that."

But according to the trio, one doesn't just hop on a bike and ride that many miles without hours of training and preparation.

"I have competed in various triathlons, duathlons and running to improve my performance," said Branstetter. "A duathlon is a run-bike race, or run-bike-run race similar to a triathlon, just without the swimming."

Concurring with Branstetter, Greene said practice and training are very important to complete a ride of such a magnitude.

"It takes a lot of time in the saddle and good equipment," Greene added. "You have to put in the miles and the time to get better. Also, you have to push yourself past the pain to make yourself stronger."

They began planning and training for the ride more than three months ago and even setup an online support group and grassroots donations page as catalysts for those interested in submitting donations and showing their support.

However, their support came from more than just donations, but from those who volunteered their time to follow them in a support van, which sported the Livestrong logos.

"I have met people for whom I have developed an amazing respect for," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Hardwick, 8th MXS aircraft structural maintenance craftsman. "They are those who can enrich the lives of anyone who cares to share a day with them. They are men who make you want to achieve more every day, and are people I wish I had met earlier in my life."

"I am a better person for having known Marc Sellers and George Greene," Hardwick added. "I hope that I may someday instill upon others what they have for me."

The ride, though, wasn't just about raising funds for cancer, but for the friendships developed along the journey and according to Sellers, "It absolutely means everything to me."

"I had set out before I ever left California to come to Korea to accomplish this goal, the goal being to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation in the honor of my mother and family members," he said. "Through good fortune I was not only able to do that, but I was able to form some amazing friendships during the process that I hope to have forever."

One such friendship, his ride companion, Branstetter, agreed the ride formed bonds that can never be broken.

"A lot of people don't like the Korea tour as it takes us away from our families and loved ones back home," Branstetter said. "What most people don't realize is we gain a new family and grow close to people we would never have met otherwise. This was an experience I will never forget."

"I know we play just a small part of the big picture, but at least we are part of the picture," added Branstetter. "I believe whatever we were able to do will help someone tomorrow. Tomorrow, that person could be me, or Marc, or George, or someone else close to me. This is what drives me."

Together, the three said they hope their September ride increased cancer awareness at Kunsan and around the Department of Defense. Come CFC time, their vision will be for every service member to donate some part of their paycheck to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, coded: 11991.

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