When it comes to fighting cancer or helping breast cancer fighters, in the words of Winston Churchill, we must “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in.”   No one knows that more than one dressage competitor and teacher in Colorado.

Renee Coble has been riding and competing in dressage for nearly 20 years.  She had ridden for most of her life, but decided to start dressage because she was looking for a challenge, but for Renee, dressage wouldn’t be the biggest challenge of her life, that would come in 2003 when she was diagnosed with “stage 3” breast cancer.

It was a beautiful day in August when with my husband and friend, I received the very unexpected diagnosis, "You have Cancer." Once over the initial shock, and determined to "keep on doing what I do," with the love and support of God, family and friends, I faced the many surgeries and treatments that were to be my future. I was steadfast in having a positive attitude and not allowing the disease to rule my life and all the while planning on keeping my spurs with reach.

My second love is horses, my first love and best friend, husband Wayne would argue that, guaranteed! My horses and friends proved to be a huge part of my cure. A good friend and co-rider helped me mount my loyal and patient mare, Shadow. We laughed at my awkwardness and how my surgeon and my Mom would shudder at my antics.

When I was little I always had a feeling that I should be doing something, that I had a purpose.  This feeling often left me anxious because I thought that I was forgetting something, that I should be doing something important that I wasn't doing.  It wasn't until I was in my forties that I found out what that destiny was... "You have Cancer."  Those three words changed my life forever.  When the doctor broke the news I sat quietly in disbelief, but when I was driving home alone it really started to sink in.  My first thought, how to tell my mother.  I knew the news would kill her. 

 I fought a tough battle, becoming a "cancer survivor".Everyone has their way of coping, but my love of equestrian sport got me through my illness.  My sanctuary was the barn; the basic care of my horses kept me active physically.  They also were the rocks that I leaned on emotionally.  Horses allow you to let it all out, they don't judge, they don't try and comfort you and tell you everything will be alright... they just stand quietly and listen.  This love for horses also led me to what I believe I was put here to do; help people who are fighting cancer.  A horse show to benefit a cancer center started me down the path to Renee's Friends Fund and many other events have since followed.  Hundreds of women who needed a little financial boost to get them through a tough time have been helped by the fund, and I have been helped knowing that I now know what my purpose is.

This fall things took a turn for the worse, I found out the cancer was back and it had spread to my lungs. Walking out to the car after I got the bad news I pulled the pink "cancer survivor" ribbon off the back of my car and tossed it into the back seat.  I knew I was no longer a survivor; I was once again a cancer fighter right back on the front lines battling this terrible disease. Later that evening I went to visit my family. They saw that I was carrying a bottle of champagne, and they were all smiles thinking the tests came back negative.  I then informed them that it was back, popped the cork, held my flute up high and gave a toast. "To Life!"

Your Friend,
Renee Coble - Founder

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