It started with a promise. Kathleen Matthews was nearing the end of her 9-month battle with lung cancer, when her son, John, promised Kathleen he “would do something”.
During Kathleen’s illness, the Matthews family learned about the challenges lung cancer patients and caregivers faced. Why does the #1 cancer killer in the world receive so little funding compared to other cancers? Why isn’t there testing readily available to detect it early? And why is it a disease that brings such a stigma?
In 2017, that “something” turned into a 2017 cross-country bike ride, named Ride Hard Breathe Easy (RHBE), to raise money and awareness for lung cancer. Two years later, John and a passionate group of volunteers turned this ride into a nonprofit organization, one that has helped hundreds of patients and caregivers dealing with the financial stress of a lung cancer diagnosis.
Today, we fund two programs to help patients now and provide hope for the future. For the here and now, we have The Breathe Easy Program, where we provide financial support to the underserved communities at our partner hospitals. To date, we have helped over 2,500 patients who need a ride to an appointment, help with food insecurity, a payment for a utility bill, and more.
We also offer an Annual Innovation Award, where we provide up to $50,000 to a partner on a unique idea that aligns with our mission.
RHBE partners with Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Lung Center, Duke Cancer Institute, Jefferson Health, Crozer Health, Dartmouth Cancer Center, Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center, and Johns Hopkins Medical Center to support their lung cancer patients. The impact has been significant. One of our partners said, “The relief you see is palpable. Our ability to help our patients literally makes them cry”. And one of the patients we helped said, “You all saved my life by providing me with a way to the hospital for my treatment.”
At Ride Hard Breathe Easy, we are honored to do our part, helping the most vulnerable people when they need it the most. Kathleen Matthews often referenced an old Irish saying that “Many Hands Make Light Work”. These words have become central to what we do, and help ensure that Mom’s wisdom, kindness, and love of life, continue to live every day through what we do at Ride Hard Breathe Easy.
Kathleen Mathews is diagnosed with lung cancer.
Kathleen Matthews passes away.
John Matthews says he will raise
$1M for lung cancer in his lifetime.
1st Annual RHBE Classic — 13 groups of SAGGERS help John across the country.
2nd Annual RHBE Classic
1st Annual Evening to Breathe Easy
Donation to Temple Health.
RHBE welcomes new partners!
Lisa and Rachele lead our 1st Pelofondo, riding 100 miles on a Peloton!
Crozer Health becomes our 6th partner!
6th Annual RHBE Classic
