Shawn and Zack Hornsby Ride Across Iowa!
On July 19th, 2009, Shawn Hornsby and his fifteen-year-old son, Zack, began a seven-day, 450-mile bike ride as part of the Registers' Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. This summer marked the third year the Hornsby's have participated in the event. They decided to use this trip as an opportunity to raise funds for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Shawn and Zack's bike ride was in honor of Shawn's wife, Wendy, and other family members who were affected by breast cancer. Both Shawn and Wendy feel strongly that breast cancer research played an instrumental role in detecting the disease within the family, and ultimately saving Wendy's life. In admiration of Wendy's fight, Shawn and Zack are dedicated to ensuring that others receive the benefits of lifesaving research as well.
Shawn explained, "Wendy realized that because she has the BRCA gene, she had up to an 85% chance that she too would someday be diagnosed with breast cancer and up to a 55% chance of having ovarian cancer. She decided to fight it right away and not wait for the cancer to come to her! Wendy took the aggressive route and had her breast tissue and ovaries removed. She is amazing!
Pictured right: Shawn and Zack complete their race!
"I feel that the awareness of this BRCA genetic mutation saved my wife's life. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was instrumental in the discovery of this genetic mutation and a lot of other research as well. I believe that The Breast Cancer Research Foundation helped to prevent cancer for my wife; I want every husband, father, son, brother, grandfather and friend to be able to have that same feeling."
Shawn and Zack's original fundraising target was $3,000. They have more than tripled this amount, raising a total of $9,775, including matching funds for their $3,000 goal from their friends, Shawn and Vicki Kendrick (the two Shawn's were high school classmates.)
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation applauds Shawn and Zack's phenominal achievement, and is very proud to have been chosen as the beneficiary of their inspirational fundraising effort.
