Cycling fundraiser to help battle ovarian cancer

AUSTIN, Texas - Hundreds of Austinites are hoping their efforts can help save lives and bring awareness to ovarian cancer so that others can catch it early. They're all participating in Wheel to Survive for the same cause but they have different reasons as to what motivated them.

"I ride for the women in my life. For my mother, for my grandmother, for my daughter so that none of them will have to suffer from this awful disease," says Tiffany Galligan, Committee Member of Wheel to Survive.

"I lost my aunt this past Summer. She was one of the founders of Wheel to Survive and the Be the Difference Foundation. So it means a lot to me to be here," says Kim Shocket, Chair of Wheel to Survive.

Wheel to Survive is an indoor cycling fundraiser that benefits programs for women currently battling ovarian cancer and to provide research dollars for a cure.

More than 200 riders were part of Sunday's fundraiser, hoping that together they can make a difference.

It started in Dallas several years ago and has since expanded to other cities, including Austin.

"I want to raise awareness. The signs and symptoms are really subtle, they're very non-specific and we need people to be aware of what they are so that they ask more questions of their doctors and really research what's going on," says Shocket.

Some of those symptoms include abdominal bloating, pain and pressure, feeling full quickly, frequent urination and back pain, that's according to the Be the Difference Foundation.

Ovarian cancer affects one in 70 women. More than 70 percent of patients will lose their battle.

"Women are dying left and right because it's the most undetected gynecological cancer and it's deadly by the time women find out about it. So we're here to raise awareness and to ride for those who can't ride," says Galligan.

There are several tests for women who are considered high risk.

Organizers of the fundraiser say early detection is key to survival.

"It really takes a village, and all of us together are going to beat this disease," says Shocket.

Close to $120,000 was raised Sunday.

100 percent of the proceeds will go to research and support those with ovarian cancer.

More information can be found here.