Cyclocrossers Ellen Noble and Sam Damphouse work to fight pancreatic cancer in a creative way.
This season, we at Cyclocross Magazine noticed a new fashion trend among racers:
from Sam Damphouse:
Early in 2010 my family and I watched my aunt suffer through her third and final battle with breast cancer which sadly took her life. Shortly after her death, my grandmother and her friend started making bracelets to benefit various cancer foundations. Women loved them, and following the great support, my mother, sister, aunt and cousin starting making and selling the bracelets in various local locations. A year after my aunt’s death I decided to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge, a cycling fundraiser in Massachusetts benefiting the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, as my aunt herself was a passionate cyclist. I raised $2,500 that year, and in the following two years I have raised approximately $15,000, a large amount of which has been from the bracelet sales.
Earlier this year as I was becoming closer friends with fellow racer Ellen Noble, her dad passed away from cancer. Ellen quickly jumped on board with the bracelet project, and spread the word rapidly. Ellen, my family, and I would love to see the bracelets have a strong following in the cycling community as riding was always her summer activity of choice, and passion.
Each bead on the bracelet represents a different type of cancer. The Bracelets are all handmade, and come in sizes XS-XL. Ellen even inspired the “bike sized” model which fits onto your steerer tube below your stem. The price is $13 per bracelet, and 100% of the money goes right to Cancer Research. If you have any requests please email [email protected], or if you happen to see Ellen or I at a race, just ask us about it!
A look at the bracelet. © Cyclocross Magazine
Here Ellen talk about the bracelets:
For more info or to get your hands on one of these bracelets, email [email protected].
