Tour de Pink 2007

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Rider Profiles (Names in pink designate breast cancer survivors.)

We are pleased to announce that professional cyclists Mari Holden and Frankie Andreu will be joining us this year.

Mari Holden
Mari is a widely accomplished road cyclist who lives and trains in Colorado Springs, CO. She's a five-time United States Cycling Federation national time trial champion and a USCF national road race champion. In 2000, Mari stood on the Olympic podium in Sydney to collect a silver medal in the time trial event, becoming the first U.S. Olympic cyclist since 1984 to win a medal in road cycling.

Mari has been touched by breast cancer, as several members of her family had been diagnosed with the disease, including one family member under 30. She is an active volunteer for the Breast Cancer Research Association Foundation. Mari is also a Member of the Athletic Advisory Committee to the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Cycling Board of Directors and an Athlete Ambassador for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. This is Mari's second York Tour de Pink. Learn more at www.mariholden.com.

Frankie Andreu
Frankie Andreu is one of the most popular and well-respected names in American professional cycling. He retired from racing at the end of 2000, after a 12-year professional career, and was the captain of the 1999 and 2000 winning Tour de France teams. During his racing career he competed in the Tour de France nine times. He was one of the team's most selfless performers and most depended on workers. In addition, he competed in three Tours of Spain and one Giro d' Italia. His racing experience not only encompassed Grand Tours but also included high placed finishes in World Cup events, World Championships, Spring Classics, as well as two Olympic Games: 1988 placing 8th in Seoul, Korea, and 1996 placing fourth in Atlanta.

Since retirement from the professional peloton, Frankie has been team director for some of the most powerful American and International teams. He is also a gifted writer and his Tour de France commentaries have been published on many different websites. Frankie's face can be seen on the cable channel Versus every July during coverage of the Tour de France. You can discover more information at www.frankieandreu.com.

Lisa J. Frank
Lisa Frank, co-director of the 2008 Hershey's Tour de Pink, is one of the 13 founding members of the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). Lisa began riding in multi-day charity cycling events in 1995, raising money for AIDS. She was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer in 1998 at the age of 36. After returning to civilian life as a survivor, Lisa set her post-treatment goal to finish the 500-mile, six-day Alaska AIDS Vaccine Ride in August 2000. She achieved her goal and also participated in the 2001 Montreal to Portland (Maine) AIDS Vaccine Ride. Lisa was instrumental in planning the first annual YSC York Tour de Pink in 2004. While training for the 2004 Tour de Pink, Lisa was diagnosed with Stage II recurrence of her breast cancer and was unable to ride. Two and a half years after her second diagnosis, Lisa was healthy and rode in her second York Tour de Pink and her third the following year in 2007. Lisa is a member of the YSC Board of Directors, the YSC Development Committee and participates in the Point of Contact program. Lisa is a lawyer for ADP, Inc., in Florham Park, NJ, and resides in Red Bank, NJ.

Mitchell Fink
Mitchell Fink, co-chair of the 2008 Hershey's Tour de Pink, rode in the 2006 ride and was the highest fundraiser out of 45 riders. Returning for a second year in 2007, he was again one of the top fundraisers and a driving force in both team building and motivation. In Mitchell's words: "Why I'm doing what I'm doing ... Andrea. My hero. Brave. Caring. Smart. Funny. The glass is half full outlook. And beautiful. A couple of years ago, when Andrea had her first bout with breast cancer, she exhibited all of the traits listed and many more that made everyone proud to know her. We all tried to help her. Recently, we were told that Andrea's breast cancer has recurred. And we are all trying to continue to help her in the brave fight. And we all tried to help the organizations that are helping the people like her battle and win over this disease. For myself, I have found that focusing on doing some good and supporting the YSC, I can accomplish some small victories that will help Andrea and others. Bike riding is new for me, as is fundraising. By participating in the York Tour de Pink I have found a great combination of new activities that make me feel good and help others." Editor's note: Andrea is Mitch's daughter.

Ted Berkowitz
Ted Berkowitz is a triathlete, and this marks his fourth year as a Hershey's Tour de Pink rider. He previously raised more than $3,000 through his participation in the York Tour de Pink and $10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through his participation in the Memphis and Chicago triathlons. Ted lost his brother Mike (also a cyclist) to lung cancer in 1999 and is a Trustee of the Michael Berkowitz Lung Cancer Foundation at Beth Israel Medical Center. Ted's first foray into the Tour de Pink was in 2005 when he rode on behalf of his friend and co-founder of the Tour de Pink, Lisa Frank. Ted rode again in the 2006 York Tour de Pink (along with Lisa) and again in 2007. As the father of a young woman, Sara, he is particularly committed to YSC.

Elke Brutsaert
A former professional downhill mountain bike racer, Elke was a force in the women's competitive circuits both domestically and internationally for almost a decade. Ms. Brutsaert withstood several gnarly injuries in her career; one of them nearly fatal, so it's a testament to her strength and fortitude that she's still riding today. Since retiring, Elke has been busy maintaining a career in sports massage and rehabilitative therapy. She is currently Road Manager and Soignieur for Giant's Mountain Bike Team but makes time to teach, coach and continue her sports massage practice. Her downtime is spent riding the local trails near her home outside Durango, Colorado, collecting vintage bikes and enjoying the outdoors.

Virginia Falces
An avid runner and marathoner for a number of years, Virginia became hooked on cycling two years ago while training for her first York Tour de Pink with friend and Tour co-director Lisa Frank. "In 2006, training with Lisa, who had only recently finished treatment, and meeting all the courageous women and their partners, family and friends that I did was an amazing and life-altering experience. I hope to participate every year and continue to support these women however I can." Virginia is also the YSC's Website Manager.

Peter Finder
Peter Finder, originally from the Chicago area, is an avid cyclist. He participated in the 2004 Tour de Pink, which featured more than 6,100 feet of climbing over 262 miles. Now he enjoys riding the beautiful rolling hills of upstate New York and New England, especially with his wife Cindy Rubin, a seven-year breast cancer survivor and founding member of and former president of the Young Survival Coalition. Peter is an active supporter of the YSC, and his employer, Rose Brand, Inc., a leading supplier of specialty textiles for film and theater, is one of the York Tour de Pink's biggest sponsors. Peter dedicates his rides to Cindy and all of the gutsy women of the YSC. Peter resides with his wife in Manhattan.

James George
James D. George (Jim) is Vice President, Community Relations, for The Hershey Company. In this role, he is responsible for the company's community involvement, both locally and internationally. Jim joined The Hershey Company in 1984. He held several positions in Hershey's Sales and Sales Management positions in the first eight years of his career. He then spend 16 years as part of the packaging organization and become the Vice President of Global Packaging in 2004. Jim recently took on a new assignment as the Vice President, Community Relations, in February 2008. His responsibilities include overseeing corporate giving, continuing to strengthen the company's ties with Milton Hershey School and leading community outreach and operations for Hershey's Track & Field Games. In addition, he is responsible for the company's charitable sponsorships and lends support for programs including United Way and efforts on behalf of the Children's Miracle Network. He also supports Hershey's broader corporate social responsibility efforts.

Jim enjoys riding his bike recreationally and has ridden in the MS-150 City to Shore Bike Tour for the last ten years, in support of Multiple Sclerosis. He has participated in a one-day ride with the Hershey's Tour de Pink for two years. Jim is riding this year because he wants to do something for the people who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer and to support The Hershey Company's sponsorship of this event.

Irene Gormley
Irene Gormley has been a Sister of Mercy for 46 years and is a Univ. of Notre Dame graduate, registered nurse and nursing home administrator. Irene is determined to complete this ride for the second year in a row and is happy that what she raises for the Young Survival Coalition will make a difference!

Sara Jarrell
Sara is a Ride Society Leader for Giant for Women, the service manager at Alameda Bicycle, a Barnett's Bicycle Institute graduate and a BSE certified mechanic. She is also a co-founder of Women on Wheels, a program developed to inform and educate female cyclists on all things bicycle. Sara races her mountain bike in gravity events and has been know to throw a leg over her cyclocross bike as a member of the Code 3 Racing Team. Sara will be joining us for her second Hershey's Tour de Pink. She is excited to announce that her sister will also be joining the tour this year!

Here are some final words from Sara about her first Hershey's Tour de Pink: "Those four days made a mark on my heart as well as my mind where they have found a place to resonate and strengthen my role in this fight."

Noel Knecht
Noel Knecht was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer on January 15, 2002, at the age of 34. She was treated at the Betty Torricelli Breast Center and the Northern New Jersey Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, where she underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction and chemotherapy treatments. Noel credits her family, friends and even strangers for supporting her during her battle. She sent email updates about her treatments to family and friends, who forwarded them along to their friends. Soon, she was receiving words of encouragement from people she never met. This became her support group. Prior to her first Tour de Pink ride in 2004, Noel was only an occasional cyclist. After purchasing her first road bike and training during the summer of 2004, she completed the inaugural Tour de Pink with flying colors and has continued to ride in the 2005, 2006 and now the 2007 York Tour de Pink. In addition to being a member of the YSC, Noel is actively involved in other cancer organizations. She is currently a Volunteer Legislative ambassador and Reach to Recovery volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Noel works for Banana Republic, where she is the New York regional Community representative. She resides Hoboken, NJ.

Matt Purdue
Matt Purdue, 2008 Hershey's Tour de Pink committee member, has been cycling nearly his entire life. Matt created the Hershey's Tour de Pink with Lisa Frank five years ago to celebrate the work of his partner, Randi Rosenberg, one of the Young Survival Coalition's past presidents and past board chairman. Following the birth of his daughter, Alexandra Marais, in June 2004, Matt promised to do his part to fight breast cancer in young women in this and future generations. Matt rode in the 2004 Tour de Pink two weeks after being hit by a car that separated his shoulder. Currently, Matt races for Team Setanta in New York and is a member of the Century Road Club Association. He works as a senior analyst for Peppercom, a strategic communications firm, writes for PEZ Cycling News and is the author of two adventure travel books. His articles have appeared in Bicycling and Outside. Matt currently resides in Manhattan.

George Small
George Small is a husband of Electra Small and father of a 10-year-old son, Taylor Small, who is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Autism. While this will be his first Hershey's Tour de Pink, he is no stranger to distance charity events. His first multi-day bicycle event was the 2001 Aids Ride from Bear Mountain, NY to Boston, MA. He also took part in the 2002 Faces of America Tour from Ground Zero to The Pentagon to honor those impacted by the 9/11 disaster. And he regularly rides the 2-day Coast the Coast MS170. He is riding for his sister-in-law who is currently under treatment for breast cancer.