Last October, I stood at the front of the BellRinger chute full of excitement, optimism, and hope. I wanted to see every single one of our 1,284 Riders start their 25, 50, 62 or 100-mile journey before I started my own 25-mile Ride. Each Rider going through the truss had their own story, their own personal reason to Ride. But what we all had in common was our shared vision of a cancer-free future. BellRinger has grown since its inaugural Ride in 2022, raising over $7M for cancer research to date. And we’re only just getting started.
The hope and enthusiasm were palpable despite the rather chilly start to the day! One of the highlights for me, as always, was riding along the Potomac on Canal Road and Clara Barton Parkway as the sun rose. That and the motivational signage on the hills (You’re the wheel hero!)! What I loved seeing even more of this year was a sea of bright, colorful, personalized team jerseys and t-shirts and BellRinger green tutus, along with so many volunteers and supporters ringing bells and cheering us on!
Along the way, I had the privilege of meeting hundreds of remarkable people who make BellRinger what it is: passionate scientists, physicians, and researchers pushing the boundaries of discovery and survivors whose courage inspires us all. I also had the opportunity to connect with our incredible community of Riders, all of whom rally friends, family, and colleagues around the shared goal of fueling life-changing cancer research. Each conversation reinforced that BellRinger is not just an event; it is a living, growing movement powered by hope, compassion, and shared purpose.
As I stood at the Finish Line to welcome our final Rider after a 100-mile journey, I was reminded once again why this weekend is so powerful. It’s always the most emotional part of BellRinger for me—to see that last Rider come through the truss, completing a collective 50,000 miles toward a cancer-free future. My last stop of the day before heading home is always the Why I Ride wall, a reminder that every ride is personal and every mile is not only a tribute, but a promise.
We are gearing up for BellRinger 2026, and I hope you will join us bright and early on October 24th. Every dollar we raise together will support life-saving cancer research at Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. The work that is done there every single day – right here in our backyard – is truly remarkable. If riding 25 miles on a beautiful fall day alongside my friends, my family, and the larger BellRinger community helps to fuel that work, I will show up with bells on every single time.