Stuart Jed, Incline Village, NV, Stage 1: Lake Tahoe

In December 2008, Stuart Jed was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was a candidate for an invasive surgical procedure that was considered the only viable cure. During surgery, metastases to his liver and lymph nodes were found, and his cancer was confirmed Stage IV. The surgeon closed him up and deemed his cancer inoperable. At that point, Stu's "never say die" attitude took charge and he moved forward with strong determination to and passionate desire to live. Six months of intensive chemotherapy shrunk the cancer and Stu was offered a second chance at surgery. During this 16-hour operation, the surgeon removed his entire pancreas rendering him an insulin-dependent diabetic. After many months of recuperation, Stu now passionately helps others. He raises awareness and advocates for research and legislation by speaking at local venues and supporting pancreatic cancer fundraisers on a national level. Stu meets legislators in Tahoe and Washington, DC to emphasize the need for early detection and research, and he volunteers with The pancreatic cancer Action Network. Recently, Stu helped obtain proclamations to declare November as "pancreatic cancer Awareness Month." Grateful to be alive and helping others, Stu's scans now show "no evidence of the disease." Also, Stu is maintaining his "never say die" attitude and in retirement he keeps active by acting as a mountain host at Northstar where he encourages people to have an experience of a lifetime.

Prakashni Shandil, West Sacramento, CA, Stage 2: Sacramento

For months, Prakashni Shandil suffered one bad sore throat after another and antibiotics weren't much help. Her lymph glands were very swollen, doctors suspected tonsillitis and she was scheduled to have her tonsils removed. Just days before the planned surgery, her throat pain returned, along with a fever. More concerned that ever, the mother of three went to the emergency room where tests revealed a shocking diagnosis. Prakashni had acute myeloidl leukemia, a form of cancer in which the bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells and the body's ability to fight infection is weakened. Prakashni's medical team explained that a bone marrow transplant offered the best chance for a cure, and siblings are the preferred donor source. Testing ruled out two of Prakashni's siblings and no matches were found in the National Bone Marrow Registry. The family's hope now turned to Prakashni's brother, Anil, who was stationed in Iraq. Anxiously, they awaited his arrival home on leave. To their great joy, he tested as a perfect match. Prakashni says, "When I got the bone marrow transplant, it was a new life for me - a new birthday." Prakashni now helps others as a mentor. She volunteers to speak to cancer patients regarding her own disease and survival, and she is a valuable resource for patients who are considering blood and marrow transplants.

Leona Delos Reyes, Modesto, CA, Stage 3: Modesto

Twenty-one years ago Leona Delos Reyes was diagnosed with breast cancer and she began a journey. Now, on her sixth round of this journey, she is battling liver and bone cancer. Leona continues to fight and finds peace and comfort in being an inspiration to others. She believes it's important to be involved and treasures her network of family and friends. She has been involved with the Modesto cancer community since her diagnosis, originally as a volunteer with Reach to Recovery. At the 2007 Relay for Life in Modesto, she received the Patient Courage Award. In five years, Leona with her team, Umbrellas of LUV, has raised more than $80,000 to support Relay for Life. In addition, Leona is actively involved in a number of programs including art, photography, and Ukulele classes. Leona's friend Denise says that no matter what she is going through, Leona always puts others ahead of herself. She recently held a fundraiser for the family of a woman she met in photography class who lost her battle with cancer leaving a devastated husband and three young children. Denise says, "Each person who meets Leona is able to see the passion she has for finding a cure so that the world can break away from this horrible disease."

Deleena Rankin, San Miguel, CA, Stage 5: Paso Robles

Although she played soccer and softball through college, her friend and Wildflower Triathlon teammate Liz explains that Deleena was once very heavy, but she turned her life around and lost a lot of weight, started working out and fell in love with riding her bike. In July 2010, Deleena experienced a devastating blow when her two-year-old grandson unexpectedly died at age two. Then a few months later in November she began getting headaches. Doctors discovered a brain tumor. The day after diagnosis, she underwent surgery. The tumor returned and she was back in the hospital within weeks. She ended up at Stanford Hospital for a second brain surgery and met her treatment team who brought her back from near death. Before she was transferred to Stanford, her family was not given much hope for recovery, but for motivation, Deleena surrounded herself with her triathlon and cycling medals and jerseys, as well as Lance Armstrong posters. She watched Lance Armstrong videos for inspiration and held onto the will to live and become stronger. The brain cancer has left Deleena with limited eyesight, but she continues to work out to regain her strength. One of her greatest joys is riding her stationary bike. Liz explains that Deleena has come a long way through perseverance, faith and determination, she has a positive outlook and inspires and motivates everyone around her. She still has a long road ahead, but Liz says that from where she was a couple months ago, it's amazing.

Reine Wiley, Thousand Oaks, CA, Stage 8: Conejo Valley

Reine's cancer story began shortly before the 2010 Amgen Tour of California when she was diagnosed with cancinoid cancer, a rare form of neuroendocrine cancer. A member of Conejo Valley Cyclists, Reine has ridden cross country and logs 10,000 bicycling miles year after year. Following the Conejo Valley stage of the 2010 Amgen Tour, she phoned Steve Bartolucci, the local recipient of the Breakaway from Cancer® Champion recognition and said in a soft voice, "I've just recently been diagnosed with cancer and I'd like you to help me live strong." Reine said she was awestruck with the entire Breakaway from Cancer Champion ceremony, and she was looking for help finding answers to the many questions that she was facing. Almost one year to the day, Reine is fighting. Steve says she's trying to deal with treatment and she's trying to keep riding her bike, even if it's just around the block. Steve says, "She is an inspiration to all of us cancer survivors."