  
I began working with Camp Smile-A-Mile in 1998 after I saw a story on Channel 13 about Camp SAM. I am quite sensitive to anyone struggling with this disease because cancer has been a part of my life; my mother is a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed when I was a teenager and fought a malignant tumor on one of her vocal cords that returned on three different occasions. After attending my first Camp-Smile-A-Mile camp session, I was hooked. I am so grateful to Camp SAM not only for what they do for children and their families but because they touched my life in a very special way, they changed my life—minor every details, struggles or frustrations just don’t really seem to be important or so big anymore. Once you watch a child, their struggle with cancer your perspective on life becomes so very different. I have seen first hand how much Camp SAM does for these children and their families and am so happy that I can be a small part of making a difference in their lives. So, how did the Ride of Love come about? Well, I attended the funeral of the first child that I got really close to, Kevin loved Camp SAM so much—there was no where in the church to sit; however, as we entered the church I saw that the first 2 pews at the front of the church were reserved for Camp SAM. Another one of Stephanie’s teen campers was rediagnosed with cancer and underwent a bone marrow transplant around the same time. So I simply asked the question, “What Can I Do To Help Camp SAM.” I had been cycling for a few years (not really much endurance riding though at that time) and thought “I’ll ride my bike” to help increase the awareness about Camp SAM so other children with cancer could be a part of such a wonderful thing and to help raise money to send more children there. I started a tradition that as she traveled to report for work as a counselor for the first week long session of Camp for the summer that her mode of transportation would be her bike. I had no plans for the future of the ROL at this time—I simply wanted to ride my bike for the children of Camp Smile-A-Mile. I joined the board of directors in 2002 and in February of 2005 took a full time position with Camp Smile-A-Mile. This is my passion and I am so lucky to be able to work for such a wonderful organization and such precious kids every day. The ROL has become something really big and really special—it is touching so many people and I am truly honored to plan this ride for everyone now involved. I love to hear everyone’s stories!!
  
David Patterson became my partner for the Ride of Love in 2002. David was celebrating his 5th year anniversary since having kidney cancer and was searching for a cause. David knew Stephanie, who served at they time as the UA Gymnastics Team Nutritionist, worked with Camp SAM as a volunteer counselor. The UA gymnastics team became involved with Camp SAM inviting the kids of Camp SAM to be their special guests at gymnastic meets. Although David had no experience as a cyclist, he began training in earnest to ride with Stephanie in 2002 in an effort to help the children and their families. David saw how his cancer affected the lives of his entire family, and could only imagine the further difficulties involved with having a child with cancer. The UA gymnastics team won the NCAA Championships in 2002 and this was a wonderful experience for David because many challenges were faced and overcome during that season. David has seen his share of challenges, during the 2003 ROL he suffered with mono but persevered through (how amazing it was to watch his strength), and he had to sit out the ROL 2005 due to major back surgery. David is back riding and is the best partner that Stephanie could ever ask for!!
In 2003, Stephanie decided to open up the Ride of Love to anyone and she has met some of the greatest people through the ROL. Cyclists have come from all over the state and now outside of the state. The Druid City Bicycle Club (DCBC), and many other supporters have really embraced and championed the Ride of Love as their cause. I have a select few cyclists (Larry Pierson, Paul Weaver, Greg Fisher, Dave Casebeer, Phil Hardee, Courtney Crowder, etc) who have become very special to me and the ROL—helping to plan the logistics of the ride and helping to make it a safe and successful ride each year. I can’t thank you guys enough!!!! Ted Sexton, Jason Powell, and many others of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Department are invaluable and escort us the WHOLE way to Camp SAM--the people who give so much of themselves are truly Stephanie's and the kids of Camp SAM's heros!!
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