In early January 2019, 35-year-old Aaron Mount woke with shortness of breath and minor chest pain. His Apple Watch showed his resting heart rate at about 165 beats per minute, well above the normal range. Aaron decided to go to an urgent care center to see why he wasn’t feeling well. “I really didn’t think…
After the birth of her first child, Donna Gomez began to experience the beginning symptoms of urinary stress incontinence, or the involuntary loss or leakage of urine. She had gained weight during her pregnancy, and carrying a 10-pound, six-ounce baby put a lot of pressure on her bladder. The combination caused occasional post-delivery bladder leakage…
Rep. Kim King has represented central Kentucky’s 55th District for almost a decade. She knows the halls of the state Capitol by heart and has cast hundreds of votes on the House floor. But this year’s legislative session takes on a different meaning for the Harrodsburg, Kentucky, native. Just four months ago, she learned that…
After 10 years of trying for a second child, Amanda Slayton and her husband, Scott, were jubilant when they conceived their son Seth. Born in February 2018, he is every parent’s prayer — happy, healthy and undemanding. In ways they couldn’t have predicted, their baby’s good nature has been a godsend to the Slaytons. Less…
David Elder considers himself lucky. Had things gone differently, the 66-year-old retired accounting professional might have become another lung cancer death statistic. In 2017, David developed what he thought was a minor hernia. He had bouts of stomach pain and over a two-month period lost about 40 pounds. David was familiar with lung cancer’s symptoms…
Photo by Mike Gladu Push, pull. Push, pull. Push, pull. With each powerful pedal, 55-year-old Curtis Tolson propelled himself closer to the finish line. He was determined to step off his bike a champion. Not just a champion. But a world champion. Push, pull. Push, pull. Push, pull. He’d competed in this race before. Four…
Steven Michael Kane will never forget June 23, 2018. It was a Saturday. Mike, as family and friends know him, was getting a screening colonoscopy. He felt great and had no reason to worry, or so he thought. “That test saved my life,” he said. “My doctor told me later if I had waited another…
Julie Musick is a fan of the “Outlander” novels, whose author Diana Gabaldon incorporates themes of medicine, spirituality, relationships and hope. The author views her fantasy fiction stories as journeys of both body and soul. In certain ways, Julie, age 41, has found these same themes reflected in her life since being diagnosed with meningioma,…
Emilia Sexton’s story is one of overcoming adversity. With a lot of hard work and help from Norton Sports Health, the former Male High School basketball player is now living her dream. “I’ve wanted to play basketball forever,” Emilia said. Emilia’s long-time dream was finally within reach her junior year of high school. She was…
Bonnie Armstrong-Jones is a two-time cancer survivor. When she learned about Bike to Beat Cancer, she thought it was a way for her to give back to people who had helped save her life. Learn more about Bonnie’s journey to become a Bike to Beat Cancer rider.
Eighteen years ago, at age 38, Carolyn Wallace was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. Years after chemotherapy and radiation, Carolyn is living cancer-free. Then more devastating news: Her then 3-year-old grandson, Rylan, had leukemia. “It was worse than my diagnosis,” Carolyn said. Carolyn got involved with Bike to Beat Cancer in 2010. Last year, she…
As Brandon Lewis’s once active lifestyle slowed dramatically over time, he began noticing issues like high blood pressure and chest pain. A teacher, he didn’t have energy for his music students. Even simple everyday tasks became difficult. With a wife he adores and a baby on the way, Brandon knew he had to take action….