Veterinarian cycles across America for cancer cure

Sheila McGuirk was so elated when she heard she’d been selected for the 2004 Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope bicycle ride across America, she high-fived the visor in her car and clicked her heels in the air on her way into her daughter’s music lesson.

Since then, the professor of large animal medicine had been in serious training for the 3,500-mile ride, which began in Los Angeles on Oct. 1 and culminates in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Oct. 9. Twenty cyclists were chosen among 1,200 applicants.

The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness about cancer research and the importance of clinical trials. The cyclists participating in the tour have been touched by cancer as survivors, caregivers, physicians or cancer researchers. McGuirk’s connection is as a cancer survivor. Eight years ago she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Today, she is a competitive cyclist and remains very active with her husband and three children.

For more details about McGuirk’s participation, visit the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Web site.