June is National Cancer Survivor Month and Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford and the new Westlawn hospitals in Murfreesboro are two of multiple Ascension locations that are honored to have played a role in the vital fight against cancer.  Kelly Motley, a Middle Tennessee cancer survivor and author, is proving that breast cancer awareness matters all year long as she embarks today on a 30-day cycle along the coast of France. 

Kelly is making this journey of a lifetime on a pink electric bike designed by iconic American cyclist Greg LeMond, three-time winner of the Tour de France. Kelly is calling her cycling adventure the "Power of Love Tour." She is cycling 1,400 kilometers (869.9 miles) along France's Atlantic coast. 

"My cycling trip is about showing the powerful and positive force of love to help women impacted by breast cancer or any other unexpected life circumstance heal," says Kelly, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and had a double mastectomy, lymph node removal, and breast reconstruction at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown under the care of Dr. Jeanne Ballinger. Kelly is the author of a book about battling cancer called The Fight for my Life: Boxing through Chemo. 

Kelly credits her Ascension Saint Thomas care team for saving her life and her husband John and their two sons for keeping her spirits high as she fought to remain physically active by boxing and strength training during her treatments. She hopes to encourage other women to continue pursuing mental, spiritual, and physical fitness as they tackle health challenges. And, more than anything, she hopes this journey on her pink bike offers joy and inspiration to the 1 in 8 U.S. women who have or will be diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Follow Her Journey - Middle Tennesseans can join Ascension Saint Thomas in cheering Kelly along by following her travels in real-time on her Instagram page: @kellymotley

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