More than 1,400 cyclists are signed up for this Saturday’s Closer to Free ride, which raises money for research and patient care at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.
Among the hundreds of volunteers and riders are cancer survivors like 23-year-old Julia Berv.
“When I received this [jersey] in the mail and saw ‘survivor,’ there was no feeling I could explain, it was just amazing. I am a survivor,” Berv said.
She had her final chemotherapy treatment at Smilow on Monday.
“I’ll have my scans in two or three weeks to be declared no evidence of disease and can move on with my life,” Berv said.
Throughout her nine-month battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a type of childhood bone cancer, Berv leaned on Katie Winkle, a close friend and classmate from Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden.
“Just her love and support,” Berv said, “and that feeling of never being alone, I think, because this can be a lonely experience when you’re first diagnosed.”
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Not only is Winkle a registered nurse at Smilow, but she’s also a cancer survivor.
“The diagnosis just came as a complete shock to my whole community but I’m blessed to be in remission for nine years,” she said.
Winkle overcame an aggressive form of leukemia in middle school.
“One of my primary nurses is now Julia’s nurse, and she’s just been such a huge part of my recovery and I know she will be for Julia’s recovery as well,” Winkle said.
When Winkle rides in her first Closer to Free for Team Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer, she will wear two wristbands.
One says “Joy for Julia.”
“She’s full of joy and life and energy and passion,” Winkle said of her friend.
The other reads "Courage for Chloe,” in honor of her baby cousin who is currently battling cancer.
“Chloe and Julia are fighting together and Chloe is going to be just fine. We just need to raise awareness and realize it could happen to anyone,” Winkle said.
Berv now plans to continue her education to become a physician assistant and she hopes to join Winkle on the Smilow hospital staff.
Both friends will be part of the Closer to Free opening ceremony on Saturday morning. The ride starts at 7 a.m. at the Yale Bowl.
NBC Connecticut is a proud sponsor of the event and we invite you to cheer on all the participants, including Heidi Voight, Bob Maxon and Jill Konopka. Kevin Nathan will also be there as an emcee.
