Why I Ride: Cara Costello

“I appreciate that 100% of funds are given to this cause, as not all social impact organizations can say this.”

Meet Cara Costello, team captain of The D Team!

In 2019, cancer took Cara’s larger-than-life mother-in-law, and then Cara also lost her beloved cousin, Donna (whom their BBC team, The D Team, was named after). Cara and her family joined in their first Breakthrough Bike Challenge in 2020, participating in a combo of walking and indoor/outdoor bike rides for the virtual event. She loves that her family can give back while getting healthy, as the BBC provides a “fun, family-friendly, mindful way to spend time together, while getting some exercise.”

Cara is also passionate about BBC’s direct support of ground-breaking cancer research in partnership with Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. “I appreciate that 100% of funds are given to this cause, as not all social impact organizations can say this.”

Last year, as the 2020 bike challenge kicked off, Cara’s family received word that her beloved family member Donna was diagnosed with bile duct cancer. Donna was a positive, creative, beautiful soul and her family (based all over the country in quarantine) wanted to find a way to support her. “Breakthrough Bike Challenge was our answer,” Cara shared. Donna’s sister created a team logo, they printed and mailed 50 shirts to family members, and they created a private Facebook group to share a steady stream of love, support, and photos. “It was truly an uplifting gift, in a year of darkness.”

Cara’s family lost Donna in the fall of 2020. “She couldn’t have been more of a bright light, with a beautiful smile, who was loved by everyone.” The D Team honors Cara’s cousin and her fight against cancer.

Some of Cara’s personal goals for this year’s BBC event include beating her miles from last year, involving her two kids on more outdoor training rides and teaching them about philanthropy, and extending her outreach beyond her family network.

Donna’s sister, Vicki, also looks forward to participating with The D Team this year. She shared a note with the team, reflecting on her experience:

“Donna took in all the love and it lifted her. I dusted off my bike and it gave me a mission and gave me strength. To this day I continue to cycle logging 40 to 60 miles a week. It is my therapy as I heal from the greatest loss of my life. I am already looking forward to the next Breakthrough Challenge and feeling the love. The D Team rides again!”

To learn more about The D Team, and to make a donation, please visit their team page: https://www.ms-stride.org/breakthroughbikechallenge/profiles/team/TheDTeam