In 2001, I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. My oncologist, who was also my marathon training partner, told me that I was going to suffer, but if I participated in a clinical trial for my chemotherapy medications, other women and men may suffer less in the future. How could I say no?

During my second round of chemotherapy, I took lower doses of a medication every week for 12 weeks, and this worked great for me. My hair started growing back and I started training for triathlons again. I was able to receive chemotherapy in the morning and go to work in the afternoon.

Participating in a clinical trial was right up my alley, and I am now nine years clear of cancer. Like Lance Armstrong, I believe it is the debt of the cured to help in the fight against cancer.

Before I even knew if I would get better, participating in a clinical trial was a way for me to pay it forward. I feel good about my participation and have done a lot of public speaking to promote clinical trials.

In 2003, I was on the original Tour of Hope team riding across America. That was a great platform to speak on a national level about the importance of clinical trials. I used that as a springboard and continue to speak to this day about the critical nature of clinical trials to find better medicines and cures.