Pedal the Cause

Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to share something really important that I’m taking on this year! On September 20, I’m doing my very first Pedal the Cause and riding 10 miles. 

I am so excited to take part in this event because it lets me make a real difference while being active and riding a bike—two things I absolutely love to do!

I’m dedicating my ride to honoring Rosa “Rosie” De Santiago Quezada, who is the mother of my Tia Claudia. Sadly, Rosie passed away a few weeks ago after a really sudden battle with stage 4 colon cancer. Even though most of our family didn't know Rosie personally, I know how much she meant to Tia Claudia. From what Tia Claudia shared, Rosie was an amazing person—super warm, generous, and always taking care of everyone. She loved cooking big meals for her family, spending time in her garden, listening to music, and making art through painting and knitting.

She was diagnosed back in April, but since it was already stage 4, everything happened really fast. It was a tough loss for their family, but I’m glad she was surrounded by the people she loved most when she passed.

Since this is my first time riding, I really want to use these 10 miles to show support for Tia Claudia and her family, and to honor Rosie. Cancer affects so many families, and I wanted to do something active to help make a difference.

I’m raising money for Pedal the Cause because 100% of the funds raised go straight to cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital. It helps doctors find better treatments and hopefully save more lives.

If you’re able to make a donation to my ride, I’d be so grateful! Any little bit helps me reach my goal and honors Rosie’s memory.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and for supporting me!

With love,                                                                                                                        Use the QR Code below for a quick donation from your phone!

Eliana Owens                                                                                                                                             

Rosa “Rosie” De Santiago Quezada — loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.

Pedal the Cause is hope, community and the region’s most impactful movement to end cancer. I am proud to participate and to play a part in funding groundbreaking research at our local, top-ranked institutions that is changing the way we treat and cure cancers.

Every penny of every dollar donated funds innovative cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital, driving new treatments, clinical trials and discoveries that are improving patient outcomes. CLICK HERE to learn more about the impact of the over $51 million donated by Pedal the Cause since 2010.

Please support my efforts to create a world without cancer with a donation of any size to my fundraiser by clicking the DONATE button on my profile page.