Why I Ride: Dawn Hershman  

September 4, 2019

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A group of riders at Velocity Ride, Columbia's Ride to End Cancer, stand at the 25-mile start of the event in a 2018 photo.

From left: Moshe Kelsen, executive director, administration and clinical research operations, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC); Dawn Hershman, MD, director, Breast Cancer Program, HICCC; Andrew B. Lassman, MD, medical director, Clinical Protocol & Data Management Office, HICCC; and Omar Mitchell, vice president, sustainable infrastructure and growth initiatives, the NHL, gather at the 25-mile start area for Velocity, Columbia’s Ride to End Cancer, in 2018. (Credit: Handout)

I hope you have had a great summer! I’m taking advantage of these beautiful end-of-summer days and starting to train for the third annual Velocity Ride, which will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. As you know, through Velocity we are raising vital funds to support cancer research and care at Columbia’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.

I decided to join my first Velocity ride after participating in an indoor cycling event in 2017. The following year I decided to challenge myself by riding 25 miles in Velocity. I’m looking forward to doing it again this year! It’s not easy—but it’s always worth it!

As the leader of the Breast Cancer Program at HICCC for more than a decade, I have focused on improving breast cancer outcomes, prevention, and survivorship for the patients I see every day. It’s an honor for me to spend the day on the road with these patient-warriors and all of my colleagues, raising funds for our dedicated team of researchers and clinical practitioners.   

I hope you’ll join us! 
 
Dawn Hershman, MD, MS
 
For more information about Velocity and to register to ride or volunteer, please visit the Velocity website.