Cancer Survivor Rides for Roses
At 44 years old, Ed Neidigh is in top-shape biking 250 miles a week, some 2,300 miles this year alone. This is impressive for most people, and miraculous for a cancer survivor.
"I was 34 years old when I was diagnosed with testicular cancer - and that was May of 1990," says Neidigh.
A high school teacher by trade, Neidigh has always taught by example. Keeping up with classes at Oxford High School in rural Pennsylvania throughout surgery and chemotherapy.
"I'm convinced that the mind is so much more powerful than the body," he says.
Neidigh was mentally committed to surviving and physically committed to cycling even after the cancer returned and parts of both lungs removed.
As it turns out, the cancer wasn't the end of Neidigh's battles in 1994. A head-on collision with a car threatened to put an end to the very two things that helped him survive the illness: his cycling career and his family's support.
His wife, Vicki says "I didn't let him go back for 4 years, I threw his bike in the trash."
Vicki was concerned the cycling was simply testing fate, but fate had other plans for them. They miraculously had a third child--daughter Julia born in 1996--after doctors told them the treatment had made it impossible.
Eventually, Neidigh convinced his family cycling was a source of strength and a vehicle to deliver a message.
This weekend, Neidigh joined 6,000 other cyclists in the 100 mile "Ride for Roses" in Austin, Texas, an event organized by fellow testicular cancer survivor and Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong to benefit his foundation.
Commenting on the race, Neidigh's friend say "he's back and he's going to make a difference. He's showing us all that there ain't no stopping him."
Cancer-free now for 8 years, Neidigh's already on his way to winning the most important race of all.
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