I sit here drinking coffee watching the morning sun radiate the Sierra Nevada Mountains, from my in-laws house in Minden. Everyone is still sleeping. In just a few hours, I will be heading to Carson Tahoe Cancer Center for my last infusion.

Almost a year ago today, I was sitting here doing the exact same thing. Anxiously sipping on my coffee, pumped with steroids to heed off any allergic reactions in anticipation of my first round of chemo. Wondering if coffee was a good choice, if I would be throwing it back up a few hours later.

363 days later....18 infusions / 4 surgeries, mental fatigue, physical changes, relationship strengthen, some faded, finding courage, lots tears, some with laughter, exhaustion and then finally hope. Hope of counting down the days until today, ending this journey and closing this chapter in this bizarre book.

I see myself thanking my doctors and nurses for their care and kindness. Hugging Dan, who has been my forever NorthStar. Then walking out in the cold December air, leaving the cancer center behind. Looking forward to rebuilding not only my strength, my immunity, but a new me, as I am not the same woman who walked in there on December 21, 2022.

I wouldn’t say I didn’t live life to fullest before. I played hard but there’s been a shift, I have been given a gift; time. I’m going use this time to help others that are battling and navigating through the breast cancer too.

I have decided to compete in the Rebelle Rally, the first women’s off-road navigation rally raid in the United States. It’s been on my radar for nine years. I had always thought I didn’t have the experience and the right skill set. It is the ultimate challenge of precise navigation and the Rebelle tests your skills over 8 days of competition. It is not a race for speed, but rather a unique and demanding event based on the elements of headings, hidden checkpoints, time, and distance using only maps, compass, and roadbooks.

I am seizing this challenge by the balls but I can’t do it alone as it’s a two female gig. I couldn’t think of a better co-pilot in this insane rally, one of my closest friends, Jordan Keeth.

Most importantly, Jordan and I will be racing for a cause. Racing for Racks! This year it's predicted that 297,790 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. So we will be using this opportunity to raise funds for B4BC, Boarding 4 Breast Cancer, a non-profit foundation dedicated to prepare young people with the education of early detection, promote the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle as the best means of breast cancer prevention, and provide survivor support for those affected by breast cancer.

We will be rookies in the Rebelle Rally. Our team name, "Besties 4 Breasties”. We have a 10 months to prepare for this and truly hoping to create some amazing memories, find epic sponsorships / donations, make new friends, and push ourselves to the limit. For now we are saving and using our own personal funds to build our rig (more on that later)…But foremost building awareness and support for B4BC. Not only does a win in a category come with bragging rights but you are also awarded money towards your charity of your choosing. We are honored to be working with Boarding for Breast Cancer. Learn more here. https://b4bc.org

We are graciously looking for donations to help us build up our rig, cover some fee's and gear, but foremost help us raise funds for B4BC.

Please consider supporting Team Besties for Breasties #119 in the Rebelle Rally.

We want to to win the Rookie class and get B4BC that prize money but the next ten months while we train we want nothing more but to raise awareness as:

• 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime

• When detected early in stage 1, there is a 98.6% survival rate

• 40% of cancers are detected by women who feel a lump

• 85% of women have no family history, which indicates that they are caused by lifestyle & environmental factors

• Tumors diagnosed in younger women tend to be more aggressive and/or less responsive to treatment

• Early detection is CRITICAL

Thank you for support and taking the time to read. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Jordan or I to learn more about B4BC, the Rebelle Rally and or if you would like to get more involved in our fundraising / sponsorship efforts.

Love Your Peaks!!!!

Lou & Jordan