Cancer Never Stops, and Neither Does Tops

If the outbreak of COVID-19 has taught us anything is that we need our health care professionals now more than ever. They are on the front lines, putting their own lives on the line in order to save others. When the call came, and without hesitation, Roswell Park stepped up and answered it, assisting those who needed them most during these unprecedented times. These actions only reinforces our pride in having this internationally acclaimed comprehensive cancer treatment center right in our backyard. Tops Friendly Markets is incredibly proud to support the Ride for Roswell because we truly believe in the mission of Roswell and the work the team at Roswell Park does each and every day. To have a comprehensive cancer treatment center that offers state-of-the art equipment and a facility that employs some of the most talented medical and research professionals in the world is not something we take for granted. As local company whose mission is to help improve the quality of life for the people in our community, one of the most important things we can do is to give back. We’re proud to return year after year as the Revolution Sponsor. At Tops we continue to support Roswell Park as they provide exceptional cancer research, treatment, education, and most importantly, hope, to those who need it. Being a part of the Ride has simply become part of our culture here. For me personally taking part in the ride is two- fold. I come from the school of thought that when you have the ability to give back and help others you always should. But I also recognize that cancer has affected the Tops family unfortunately many times over the years and so we ride for our associates, for their families, and their loved ones. We ride as one family. And that’s what it’s all about here at Tops.

For the last three years, my daughter Taylor, mother and I gear up for what we know will be an emotionally and physically challenging night. We put on our red "Tops Neighbors Helping Neighbors" t shirts to volunteer for the Celebration of Hope. It's a tradition that has allowed me to share my love of Tops, Roswell Park and volunteering with the women who taught me the meaning of giving back and an opportunity to share that lesson with my now 13-year-old daughter. Year after year we laugh, cry and sing, which totally embarrasses my daughter. It's a labor of love that fills our hearts with each plate that we service. Some years are harder than others, knowing that we've lost friends and family members to cancer. Some of the riders comment on how much my daughter has grown or thank us for coming back year after year. But once a year, no matter what else is going on in our lives, we know where we will be and honestly, there is no place we would rather be.

The winter after we lost our four-year old son to brain cancer, I was listening to the radio and heard a commercial about the Ride for Roswell. Up until that point, I had never really given the Ride a thought or really even heard of it, for that matter. We had been in treatment for three years prior and sometimes, you just didn't get a minute to think, let a lone ride a bike. A few days later, I was at work and received an email asking associates to join the Tops Team as riders. Well, I thought to myself this couldn't be anymore perfect! I had already decided that I was going to ride in his memory and attempt to give a little back to the organization that played such a significant role in his treatment. Now, I was able to do so with the Tops team after they did so much for our family in Peyton's last few months. The support of both organizations helped our family through an extremely difficult time in our lives. Being able to ride and raise money for research and patient-care programs is an honor. To ride with the Tops team is just our story coming full circle.

The winter after we lost our four-year old son to brain cancer, I was listening to the radio and heard a commercial about the Ride for Roswell. Up until that point, I had never really given the Ride a thought or really even heard of it, for that matter. We had been in treatment for three years prior and sometimes, you just didn't get a minute to think, let a lone ride a bike. A few days later, I was at work and received an email asking associates to join the Tops Team as riders. Well, I thought to myself this couldn't be anymore perfect! I had already decided that I was going to ride in his memory and attempt to give a little back to the organization that played such a significant role in his treatment. Now, I was able to do so with the Tops team after they did so much for our family in Peyton's last few months. The support of both organizations helped our family through an extremely difficult time in our lives. Being able to ride and raise money for research and patient-care programs is an honor. To ride with the Tops team is just our story coming full circle.

My commitment to the Ride began in March of 2015 when sadly my best friend and brother-in-law John P Memminger passed away as a result of cancer. I have rode in his honor ever since. The first year we participated in the Ride, we had no cycling experience or any idea of what to expect. We decided to start with the river route, and the experience was an unbelievable. The crowds of people at the start and finish lines, the cheering, the cowbells were and still are so motivating. It's an unforgettable experience. Little did I know at the time that I would someday become a patient at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. In the spring of 2017, I was diagnosed with cancer and, unfortunately, Roswell Park was not my first choice. I soon began a series of chemo treatments, but was still determined to participate in the Ride's country route to honor John. The treatments didn't have the results we had hoped for. About that same time, I started seeing and hearing the "Spend One Day With Us" commercials. So I did... I was directed to the radiation medicine department where I met Dr Anurag Singh and never looked back. The doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers are so amazing and I'm so thankful to Dr Singh, PA Kelsey, the team on Machine 2, and Tracy and Larry to name a few. Everyone was so kind, caring and compassionate, truly putting patients first. Walking into Roswell Park and seeing patients that were a whole lot worse off than me was such a humbling experience. Their attitude, strength and determination to fight and beat cancer is a life-changing experience. Now, I not only ride to honor John, but now for all the patients, doctors, nurses, staff, and volunteers at Roswell Park... Ride on Ride for Roswell!