Multi-National Track Cycling Champion Michelle Bono died February 23, 2010 following a two-and-a-half-year fight against pancreatic cancer. She was 47 years-old.
Michelle was a force to be reckoned with both on and off the bike. If she was told something was impossible she would find a way to make it possible. Her tenacity, determination, focus and, most of all, her willpower allowed her to achieve incredible things.
Michelle came to competitive cycling in 2005 following years competing in various sports including horseback riding events, body building and paddling. At her first Master’s National Track Championships Michelle placed first in the 200-meter time trial, second in the 500-meter time trial, four-kilometer time trial, and match sprint events, third in team sprint, and fifth in the 2000-meter time trial. At the 2006 Masters Track National Championships Michelle placed first in the 200-meter time trial, 500-meter time trial, and match sprint events. Two months later at the Elite National Track Championships Michelle placed third in the Keirin, the first time she ever raced the event. These would be impressive results for any seasoned racer, but Michelle’s late introduction to track cycling made it even more impressive.
In 2007 Michelle was diagnosed with cancer. Like she had done her whole life she put everything she had into the fight. Michelle went to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas for treatment. The chemotherapy regimen to shrink her cancerous tumor enough for surgery was brutal. Michelle was determined to get through it as quickly as possible so she could get back on her bike in time for the 2008 Masters National Track Championships. Fourteen months later Michelle did just that achieving remission and earning another national champion’s jersey in the match sprint.
Cancer took an incredible toll on Michelle physically and financially. Her journey was helped along the way by family, friends, teammates, doctors, nurses and the incredible care and support she received from Aishel House during her stay in Houston.
Aishel House provides housing, meals, transportation and care for patients of Texas Medical Center who must live nearby while undergoing medical treatment. Payment is on a sliding scale based upon financial need. During Michelle’s cancer treatments she became quite close to the staff and volunteers at Aishel House. She wanted to help them help others in similar situations as her own. In Michelle’s memory her teammates and friends invite everyone in the cycling community who knew her or are moved by her story to help them raise at least $6,000. This amount is enough to cover one year of care for an individual staying at Aishel House. All money donated in memory of Michelle Bono will be toward this cause. Help us create a little mojo for Michelle.
