Woman Begins 2,100 Cycle Ride to Support Friend With Breast Cancer

Editor’s note: During the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, Patch will share stories of women who are fighting, or who have battled, breast cancer in order to raise awareness of the disease. To share your story please email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.

A cold and rainy morning did not dampen the spirits of all those who came out to support a Danbury woman and her friend who is battling breast cancer.

Beginning her ride on the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Jennifer Lynch, 36, an avid cyclist, is criss-crossing New England to raise money for her best friend who is battling the disease.

Ericka Onorato, 37, of New Milford, found out in March that she had Stage 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. She never had a mammogram because she had not yet turned 40. She has undergone 16 weeks of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. When fully healed from surgery, she will endure 6 weeks of radiation to rid her body of any last trace cancer cells.

The mother of four, whose children are all under the age of 12, has been fighting her battle with humor, a positive attitude and a lot of support from family and friends.

“Cancer has changed me in many beautiful ways. I am now living life on purpose, I fought hard for it, and now will live with intention and on my terms,” Onorato said Thursday.

Half of the ride’s proceeds will benefit Ann’s Place, a cancer support center that provides free services for people affected by cancer.

“I wanted the money to go to Ann’s Place because I realize how important it is that cancer patients have lots of support-- emotional and financial,” Onorato said.

During the month of October, Lynch will complete 21 century rides, 100 miles each, to complete 2,100 miles in 30 days. She made it to her first destination, Mystic, Conn. on Thursday evening and clocked in at exactly 100 miles. Lynch thanked a ride donor on her Facebook page: “HUGE shout out and bucket loads of LOVE to Sue Crawford at Carriage House at 26 Pearl Street for putting me up my first night in Mystic!”

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton was at Thursday morning’s sendoff, along with Lynch’s and Onorato’s family and friends.

Onorato’s sister Melissa said, “Thank you Mayor Mark Boughton and Anthony and Elaine of Ann’s Place who took time out of their busy day to join us and offer their kindness and support as we sent Jenny off on her journey. She is amazing. Not only is she giving up her time, she’s putting her body through hell.”

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Photo: Melissa Onorato