on 03-10-2009 00:21 
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By JON BAKER
PAWTUCKET - As is often the case, Lucy Rose deliberately took a few days off from work immediately after New Year's Day to contemplate how she would make 2009 truly special to her.
"At the start of the new year, I begin thinking about what goals I'd like to achieve, what I could do as a life-changing event," said Rose, an attractive, petite 53-year-old East Providence native, not to mention the human resources director at Samsonite Corp. in Mansfield. "I also thought about how I could have a meaningful impact on the community and the nation, do something for people I know, and people I don't know."
As she sat in her bedroom that cold January night, she suddenly decided to check her e-mails, and found the answer staring her in the face.
"Lo and behold, there was an e-mail from Team in Training officials; they had sent out a ‘blast' note introducing a lot of group events for the upcoming year," noted Rose, casually sipping tea at a local establishment late Thursday afternoon. "I saw one, and I thought, ‘This is it. This is what I want to do.'"
She was referring to the Team in Training/Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's annual Most Beautiful Bike Ride, one that consists of a 100-mile trek around Lake Tahoe on June 7.
"I know it's a really big commitment, but I'm up to the challenge," she grinned. "Actually, I've done this kind of thing before. In 2004, I ran in the New York City Marathon just as a challenge to myself, to know I could do that kind of thing. I was not a runner; in fact, I didn't even start running until I discovered I had been selected, and had received my number from marathon officials.
"My goal was just to finish before dark, and not suffer any injuries," she added. "I accomplished my goals ... I've never really been an athlete. When I was in high school (at East Providence, Class of 1974), I didn't do much, but I've always believed in being fit. That race in New York was all about accomplishing a personal goal, but this is even bigger because now I'm part of a team working toward an amazing cause."
Rose claims she's not nervous at all about climbing the hills surrounding Tahoe, on the Nevada/California border, but that her worries instead stem from her commitment to raising $4,600 for Team in Training, which consists of 19 other like-minded citizens, who must raise the same amount..
"I don't personally know any people with leukemia; I guess I'm one of the few people around who hasn't had cancer affect me in regard to family and friends. I've been lucky in that respect," she stated. "I started reading about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and it became a revelation. It touched me. Statistics say that 145 people die of such blood diseases every day, and that leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer that hits children and young adults under the age of 20."
Rose also explained that, because of groups like TNT, the survival rate for childhoos leukemia has increased dramatically. Just 20 years ago, that rate sat an appalling four percent, but since has reached a pleasing 80 percent.
It's the goal of Rose, and the others taking part, to move that statistic to a perfect 100 percent - in essence, she wants to, at the very least, help the society find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, to name just a few.
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So far, she's raised approximately $1,000 in her quest, and needs to reach the halfway point, or $2,300, by March 20 to remain eligible for the Tahoe ride.
That's why she will conduct her own personal fundraiser, entitled "Dancing to Save Lives," on Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m. At the event, to be held at Providence Tango, 99 South Bend St., Pawtucket, anyone interested in learning about or sashaying to tango, Cape Verde, Latin, funk, or Middle Eastern tunes may do so for a nominal admission fee of $10 per person (one, of course, may offer more, if so inclined).
All proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
When asked why she chose to have a dance to aid her cause, Rose replied in kind, "Dance has always been a passion of mine, going back to before I reached first grade. I've done it my whole life, so now my two worlds will converge.
"It's going to be so cool," she continued. "I envisioned this with a lot of different genres of dance, and we're going to have demonstrations in belly dancing, tango, Latin, etc., and the DJ (P.J. Entertainment of Providence, which donated time) will play music starting in the 1970s right up to the current stuff."
Rose also said that officials with Providence Tango, upon hearing of her upcoming experience, donated use of the studio, which thrilled her. Every Friday night, Rose travels from her Providence home to the site near McCoy Stadium to dance, using that as part of her training.
"Let me tell you about tango: It's a dance about connecting, and there are real distinct roles between a man and woman in it," she said. "It's very technical, and not at all easy. We have the most amazing instructors.
"I love wearing my purple bracelet, which is our color for Team in Training," she added with a giggle. "It reads, ‘Training, Endurance, Achieve, Matter,' an acronym for TEAM. To prepare, I'm taking a spinning class at the Newport Athletic Club, under the direction of our coach, Jim Lilley, and I'm also doing some weight training at Davol Fitness and Spa.
"For the first time in my life, about three weeks ago, I clipped into my spinning bike with my cycling shoes, and everybody applauded; I was so happy!" she added. "There's a bit of a trick to getting the cycling shoe and pedal to lock; what a difference it is as opposed to wearing sneakers. I was so psyched!"
She already has ordered a specialized Dolce Elite bicycle for the Tahoe ride, one that costs about $1,300.
"I really believe someone is going to sponsor me, and help me buy my equipment for this event," she stated. "That's where my faith and spirituality come into play. But, if I have to, I'll buy the bike, which is similar to the one they use in the Tour de France but not quite so extravagant, myself. I have to, because this means the world to me.
"Right now, I'm on Cloud Nine," she added. "Everything's coming together. We're exercising and spinning as a team, and I'm dancing. Now the only thing is the fundraising, which is tough. This is a really hard time to be asking people for money. Still, I've seen people come out of the proverbial woodwork. Without me asking, they hear about what I'm doing, and they say, ‘How can I help?'
"It warms my heart, and I'm so appreciative and grateful."
When asked if she's prepared for this 100-mile event, she just grins.
"By Memorial Day weekend, I'm going to be ready," she claimed. "I'm going to be so mentally pumped up. I won't be nervous, at least not in a bad way. I'll probably be nervous in anticipating this journey, but I'll also know I'm doing it to save lives. I have a quote already in mind to serve as my inspiration, and it's from Thomas Edison: ‘If we only did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.' I find that a terrific thought.
"We tend to limit ourselves, and we all have such a huge capacity for achievement," she continued. "I just will not limit myself. I'm going to embrace every opportunity that I come across, especially when it can help others ... I'm hoping to get 100 names of those who have been affected by cancer, have them sign the jersey I'll wear. When it gets tough on the hills, I'll look at them, and that will remind me of why I'm doing this.
"The way I look at it, this Century ride is nothing compared to what people with cancer have endured. When it gets tough on the hills
To donate to her cause, or for more information on the "Dancing to Save Lives" fundraiser, people are asked to call Rose at (401) 323-4202 .
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