Franklin County would like to show support to a man who has partnered with an incredible movement and to honor those who are survivors of breast cancer. Jim Wilz is an avid, long-time cyclist who will embark on a six-week bike ride starting in March. His journey takes him over the Southern Trail, from California all the way to Florida, to raise awareness and support for the non-profit organization, Move Beyond Surviving. 

Move Beyond Surviving was started by Dr. Kelly McClane, an oncologist at Christ Hospital, who understood that despite surviving breast cancer, many patients struggled to regain normalcy in their life. She created Move Beyond Surviving to help support survivors by getting them outdoors and providing activities to keep them healthy and active.

Jim's wife, Melissa, is a breast cancer survivor. In 2022, she had been diagnosed with Her2Positve breast cancer. She spent the year undergoing chemotherapy, multiple treatments of Herceptin and underwent a double mastectomy, and was finally given the news at the end of the year she was cancer free. 

"Melissa has always loved hiking. She would go out and hike often, but she didn't have the same energy after everything was done," Jim states.

Jim has been cycling for years, and when he learned about Move Beyond Surviving, he and Melissa partnered up with them to promote healthy and engaging activity outdoors to improve the lifestyle and peace of mind of other breast cancer survivors.

In the last four years, Jim has cycled nearly 20,000 miles in the hopes to one day cycle across the United States. During this time, Jim has also helped with other events such as the Pumpkin Roll hosted in the early fall here in Brookville. He typically rides around and helps any cyclists who are having bike issues or are stranded. A real behind the scenes man, but now, he is taking the spotlight with his upcoming journey.

"I usually average about 5,000 miles a year, which comes to roughly 7-8 hours on the bike. Over the six weeks, we will bike for six days and take a rest day every seven days," Jim explains.

There will be a group of about 10 cyclists including Jim who will be cycling across the US. They will have a mechanic and a van driving along with them to hold any equipment, and no, they aren't going to rough it outdoors in the evening. Jim states that they will have hotel stays, which will help with their rest days should they happen to stop in any scenic towns or locations that have some incredible history. They will even be cycling along the border considering that 1/3 of the trip alone will be through Texas.

Up until the start of his trip, Move Beyond Surviving will match any donations made towards the movement. They are also still looking for a few more sponsors and here is why Move Beyond Surviving is a cause worth researching.

This non-profit was started in 2017 by the above mentioned, Dr. Kelly McClane. She knew that slipping back into normalcy doesn't happen for survivors. They have endured months of treatments and surgeries, their energy is much lower, they are fatigued easily, and wary of physical activity due to recovering. Dr. Kelly understood that PTSD was a factor, and many survivors were no longer thriving, so she began organizing outdoor activities. These included kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, and more. Keeping an active lifestyle will help lessen the chances of cancer returning, so Move Beyond Surviving was formed. 

    This move provides a challenge for survivors, and offers 100% support, encouragement, and guidance. Groups are generally small of about 10 people, and as some activities may seem to be too much or overwhelming, MBS typically offers low-impact days. 

"Scheduling was a big obstacle. Many people still work on the weekends and that's when we would schedule these events. There were also those who were wary of the intensity of the activity, and would sign up for the lower activities," explains Tom Tressler, executive director of Move Beyond Surviving.

"There are so many benefits to joining a group activity. You are gaining new experiences, challenging yourself, and when certain challenges are accomplished, they have a new sense of confidence in them. They're ready for the next group activity. Even those who don't win the challenge, still win in the gain of new friendships."

Right now, Move Beyond Surviving operates on weekdays until they can get another overnight trip and even a full weekend trip. No matter how small or brief though, the support system, peer support, and a new adventure each time benefits survivors and their health as they move onwards in their recovery. A huge contributor to the events organized is the Outdoor Pursuit Center at Miami University. Staffed here are trained, certified experts in outdoor activities, safety, and experiential learning. They facilitate the events, ensure a safe environment, and help boost the confidence of the survivors.

"Move Beyond Surviving has impacted me, inspired me, and humbled me far more than I could have ever imagined. It's impressive how far we have come and there is a lot more to come," Tom adds.

It's no secret as to why Jim and Melissa chose Move Beyond Surviving to partner with. Melissa's love or hiking and her empowering strength to inspire other breast cancer survivors, and Jim's passion for cycling are the foundation Move Beyond Surviving can use to help spread the word and positivity of this incredible cause.

You can follow Jim's journey through his blog, which he plans to update once a week to talk about their ride. Melissa and Jim were also featured on Channel 12 news to talk about their story, which you can find online.

Jim's schedule is available on his blog along with a breakdown of Melissa's journey, which will be available on Facebook as well as links to the blog for readers. Also available will be links to the Move Beyond Surviving website, the bike website where Jim bought his first bike, and the Pumpkin Roll website.

Thank you, Jim, for sharing this story, and we wish you luck on your ride. 

Enjoy your celebratory vacation in Florida with your family when it ends!