Brain cancer survivor completes journey across America to raise awareness, money for brain cancer research

Jul 19 2010

Anne Feeley, a 56-year-old mother and brain cancer survivor, completed her journey across America today, cycling 3,708 miles, to raise awareness and money for brain cancer research and patient care. Feeley pedaled the last 6.5 miles of her journey from Hains Point, VA to cross the finish line at the Capital Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC.

The effort, called Brains on Bikes, kicked off in April in San Francisco at the University of California, Mission Bay campus. She was joined in her cross-country trek, by her friend and trainer, Gundula Hennig, and her dog, Walter. Brains on Bikes traveled through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia and into the nation's capitol.

"A year ago, Brains on Bikes and bicycling across America was only an idea," said Feeley. "Thanks to the support of my family, friends and our partner organizations, we were able to make my dream a reality."

With the costs of the campaign already covered, every dollar raised during Feeley's journey directly supports badly needed research and patient care on behalf of UCSF's Brain Tumor Research Center, Stand up 2 Cancer, the American Brain Tumor Association and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.

"Brains on Bikes is dedicated to all the amazing survivors, patients and families suffering from brain cancer that we met along the way. Your stories, support and encouragement inspired us along our route and kept up our momentum," Feeley continued. "The Brains on Bikes cycle across America might be over, but raising awareness about brain cancer and funds for more research has only begun."

After being diagnosed in 2006 with a gliobastoma multiforme tumor – the same type of brain cancer that afflicted the late Senator Ted Kennedy – Feeley was told by doctors she would be lucky to see another year. According to the National Brain Tumor Research Center, the life expectancy of a person with this cancer is 12 to 14 months – the same as it was almost one hundred years ago. Feeley was determined to treat her diagnosis as a challenge and started exercising.

"Exercise is my way of fighting," Feeley said, "a way to focus on positive feelings and get strong. My trek across the country gave me the opportunity to share that feeling and motivation with other patients and their families."

Less than five percent of patients diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme tumor live more than three years. The mortality rate has been unchanged for a decade. Life expectancy after being diagnosed with brain cancer was eight months 20 years ago; it is 16 months now.

While my bicycle journey has ended today, there are thousands of individuals and families who are just starting their journey with brain cancer," Feeley said. "Eight months to 16 months in 20 years is not good enough. We need to do more."