Town&Style

Ride For Life: Pedal the cause

Kathleen Lodes lost her mother (47) to cancer and three of her mother’s seven siblings. Her grandfather died at 31. She has the CDH1 cancer gene, as do her two brothers. So do two of her four children. Both Audrey, 19, and Perry, 17, have had total gastrectomies (complete stomach removal); Kathleen has had that and a double mastectomy, a hysterectomy, oophorectomy (ovary removal) and an appendectomy. These prophylactic measures not only have saved their lives, but also have helped save the lives of others. Since 2010, when Pedal the Cause was started, the family has ridden their bicycles more than 500 miles and raised more than $40,000 for cancer research.

“It’s an emotional day,” Lodes says of the biking event that raises funds for cancer research, taking place this year the weekend of Sept. 24 and 25. Founded by two-time cancer survivor Bill Koman, the nonprofit’s mission is to cure all cancers for everyone. In six years, it has grown from a small bicycle ride of 800 friends, families and local businesses (that brought in $910,000) into a community-wide movement: In 2015, 2,868 riders raised $3,147,000, 100 percent of which funds research at Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In total, the organization has donated more than $12.5 million to the two hospitals!

“Pedal the Cause is having a real impact on the future of cancer research, leading to the creation of cancer vaccines and other therapies,” says executive director Jay Indovino, who has pedaled the 100-mile Century ride each year. “We are strong and getting stronger.” Indovino says both his parents died of cancer and stresses that the need is great: one in two men and one in three women will develop the disease in their lifetime. “The Lodes family is a prime example of why we all ride,” he says. “They are living proof that advances in cancer research are saving lives.”

The ride originally took place downtown, but last year moved out to Chesterfield, where it now meanders through leafy neighborhoods and along trails, through woods and over the Missouri River. Riders can choose between six different courses ranging in length from 10 to 100 miles. Lodes rides with husband Mike and daughter Perry. Although she had no cancer in her body when her organs were removed, she says cancer cells were found in her daughters’ stomachs. Lodes says coping with her own health issues has been challenging, but seeing her daughters adapt to postoperative life has been much harder. Audrey is a sophomore in college in California; Perry is on the varsity field hockey team at Nerinx Hall High School. “Our goal was to have the girls do everything they wanted to do,” she says. While there are no more preventive surgeries planned for them, Lodes says her daughters always will be watched carefully.

Mike Lodes, a financial adviser with Pedal the Cause presenting sponsor Edward Jones, had only just started biking when he first took part in the ride six years ago. He has ridden the Century at least twice since then. He says there’s a lot of time to think over the course of all those miles, time to ponder a cause far greater than himself and to feel humbled by the support of so many people. “To know that you are making a difference, that we all are, is incredibly moving,” he says.

This year, Pedal the Cause takes place Sept. 24 and 25. Festivities include a Kids’ Challenge, Taste the Cause, Cruiser Cup, an inspirational program and live entertainment.

Pictured: Mike Lodes, with daughters Audrey and Perry at the 2014 Pedal the Cause
Photo courtesy of The Lodes Family

Pedal the Cause event weekend takes place Sept. 24 and 25 at Chesterfield Amphitheater. Events on Sept. 24 include Kids’ Challenge, Taste the Cause, Cruiser Cup, an inspirational program and live entertainment. Rides kick off Sept. 25 at 7 a.m. Post-ride activities include yoga, massages, lunch, open bar and live entertainment. Pictured on the cover: Kathleen, Audrey, Mike and Perry Lodes. For more information and to register, visit pedalthecause.org. Photo by Tim Mudrovic, BJC Media Services

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