Why I Ride: Atila Ali
My cousin, Roya, was an absolute light in people’s lives. She loved Oscar Dela Hoya and even referred to herself as Roya Dela Hoya, joking that she wanted to marry him.
Five years ago, at just 32 years-old, Roya was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After experiencing some bloating and pain in her urinary tract, she went in for a check-up. At the time of the discovery, it was a slow growing cancer, so she opted (because of her age and the fact that she wanted to bear children later in life) not to have a hysterectomy.
When Roya was diagnosed, we were terrified, sad, heartbroken – you name it, we felt it. How could someone so young be diagnosed with ovarian cancer? We thought life had dealt us a very cruel hand.
Roya never worried about her condition – she was selfless. She had such a positive outlook, and always told me, “Atila, I’m gonna beat this disease. Watch me!”
She had multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation, and she also tried holistic medicine treatments. Anything and everything was in play. She even went to MD Anderson in Houston to try and qualify for an experimental drug, but she didn’t get that, unfortunately. Ultimately, the cancer went into remission after various treatments, then recurred a year later and spread to other parts of her body.
Three years ago, my family and I traveled to D.C. where she lived. She had just gone through her latest round of chemo and she was still weak from it. But you would have never known that. Roya put on this beautiful outfit, a bandana over her now shaved head and proceeded to take us sight-seeing, pushing around our baby in a stroller. She never stopped smiling.
All through it, Roya was extremely calm and determined. She was a fighter. She was a bad ass. She never stopped fighting up until her last breath.
Roya passed away on January 18, 2016. She was at home with her two brothers, Tamer and Haroon, and her parents, Karim and Mahbuba. I know she’s in Heaven looking down on us with her amazing smile.
I know first hand the pain of losing a loved one to ovarian cancer. Riding at Wheel to Survive is my way of giving back, of not feeling helpless. I want to do what I can to help others fight to find a cure. Plus, it’s a great way to keep in shape while I help others!
Click here to join Atila at Wheel to Survive Dallas on February 28, 2016. Can’t ride with us? Make a donation to Atila’s fundraising page here.