From Ride for Life, Inc.
September 5, 2003
By Chris Pendergast, President, Ride for Life, Inc.

She called herself "Dolores from Da Bronx." She had a twinkle in her eye, a smile broader than the Hudson River, and a never quit attitude. For years she taught inner city kids at one of NY's flagship high schools, Bronx School of Science. During the last two years, Dolores Daly called me her friend.

Like two soldiers, she and I found ourselves huddled in a foxhole as we fought a common foe. We became fast friends and united in our goal to fight. We vowed to cover each other. We vowed too, that the survivor would fight on.

Sadly, Dolores lost her brief but furious battle several weeks ago. It's hard to lose another rider this year.

Dolores, ever vigilant and continuously looking for an outlet for her drive, accidentally heard about the Ride as we were about to enter Manhattan in May of 2002. She made innumerable phone calls to track us down. After combing radio stations, local TVs and newspapers, she finally located a telephone number. She spoke with the Ride coordinators introducing herself and expressing her desire to join the other patients. "We'd love you to ride with us," was the response.

The next day, helped by her brother Gene, Dolores was eagerly sitting along the route. We quickly prepared a power chair and she gleefully fell in. How happy we were to have her beautiful face and warm smile.

She continued to be active the next winter, even as she rapidly deteriorated. She came to the annual Sports Dinner run by New York ALSA. In the spring she and I went to her old high school and we made a presentation on the Ride. She bravely confronted her own mortality and shared openly with her students and colleagues. Up to the end, Dolores worked with a great network of friends to raise awareness and funds.

Although very weak by May, she again joined fellow patients during Ride for Life 2003, as we rolled through Queens and Brooklyn. She was flanked by her girlfriends proudly carrying signs in her honor.

My only hope is that she is able to do more where she is now. I know she is still covering my back.

Thanks, Dolores.