After completing her National Park Run to honor her daugher, Anna Rose, who died at 21 from an aggressive neuroendocrine cancer, Gil knew she wasn't finished trying to make a difference for people with neuroendocrine cancer and their caregivers.

 
“The first campaign was spiritual … to honor Anna Rose and the trip we had planned, to share her cancer journey and to encourage other NET patients and their families. This one also pays tribute to her—the courage she showed and the bravery of others like her—but crucially, we want to bring further awareness to a cancer that is still the most misdiagnosed.”
— Gil Schaenzle
 

FRED SCHAENZLE, Gil’s husband and Anna’s dad, will be chief mechanic, van driver, and his wife’s biggest supporter—SHOWN HERE WITH “HOPE,” THEIR HOME FOR THE JOURNEY

CYCLING THE CANALS & CALLING ALL ZEBRAS

In early June, the Schaenzles will set out from their home in Evergreen, Colorado, bound for Cincinnati, Ohio, and the start of an estimated 1,000-mile bike ride along historic canals in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ontario, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland, ending in our nation’s capital.

She’ll be meeting with support groups and cyclists and anyone who will learn about neuroendocrine cancer and the people who have it.

To cycle with Gil or to meet up with Gil and Fred along the way, CLICK HERE FOR THE ITINERARY—subject to change if the bike or the weather won’t cooperate!

 

Gil will be carrying Anna’s beloved bear, Teddy, in her handlebar bag. She also wants to collect and carry your photos and hopes with her as well.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

You can mail your photo with a brief message if you want Gil to reflect on a cherished loved one of yours or to think of you as she bikes.

You can follow Gil’s journey via her social media accounts:

You can support Gil's goal of raising funds to educate more healthcare providers in neuroendocrine cancer.

 
 

INSPIRATION, LOSS, AND GOING THE DISTANCE

When Anna Rose Schaenzle was in treatment for neuroendocrine cancer, her mom Gil told her that she wanted to run in 50 national parks. Gil asked her daughter to be her support vehicle driver once she felt up to it, but Anna declined, saying she wanted to run with her mom instead. Tragically, Anna died on March 26, 2017. In November of that year, Gil began her nine-month tour as a tribute to Anna Rose. On August 4, 2018, Gil crossed her personal finish line in Rocky Mountain National Park, having traveled 42,000 miles to walk, run, and paddle 350 miles in 51 national parks, at 12 national monuments and two national preserves. Click here to read more about Anna, Gil, and the National Park Run.