Sydney Towle: Lifted by a Community, Driven by Hope
Discover how Sydney Towle finds strength and hope in the Cycle for Survival community as she rides, shares her story, and fundraises to fuel lifesaving rare cancer research.
A Community That Carries You
Sydney Towle’s connection to Cycle for Survival, the official rare cancer fundraising program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), began at a time when uncertainty felt overwhelming. Like so many in the Cycle for Survival community, she was navigating the emotional weight of a rare cancer diagnosis, questions about what comes next, and how to keep hope front and center.
Two years ago, Sydney was diagnosed with stage 4 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a cancer of the bile ducts in the liver. By then, the tumor measured 11 centimeters. After four months of chemotherapy, Sydney had surgery to remove 80% of her liver, as well as her gallbladder and lymph nodes.
At first, the surgery appeared to be successful. But follow-up tests revealed a different story: The cancer wasn’t all gone. Ten months later, she resumed chemotherapy and learned she would be on it “indefinitely.”
“When I first heard it, I cried. ‘I have to keep doing this?’” Sydney recalls. “But ‘indefinitely’ also promises a possibility of forever. And ‘indefinitely’ means hope.”
Sydney redefined what it means to live with uncertainty — not as something to fear, but as something that allows for possibility.
When people talk about Cycle for Survival, they often describe the energy in the room: the music, the instructors, the cheering, and the shared determination to keep moving forward. For Sydney, being part of Cycle for Survival means she is never alone.
This isn’t just a fundraising event; it’s a gathering of people united by purpose. Riders, volunteers, instructors, and donors come together around the belief that people with rare cancers deserve better treatments, more answers, and a future filled with possibility.
Finding Power in Sharing Her Story
From the moment Sydney walked into her first Cycle for Survival event, she felt surrounded by people who understood what it means to truly show up — for themselves and for one another. That sense of belonging became even more powerful when Sydney joined a Cycle for Survival ride in New York City, where she stepped onto the stage to share her story. She spoke honestly about her diagnosis, her journey, and the hope she continues to carry, reinforcing the reminder that no one faces rare cancer alone. Watch the highlights from Sydney’s Cycle for Survival speech.
Sydney has found another powerful way to connect with family, friends, and people around the world through her social media platforms. By opening up about her journey, she offers an honest look at what it means to live with cancer, blending moments of vulnerability with resilience, gratitude, and hope.
Moving Forward, Together
Today, Sydney continues to be inspired by the Cycle for Survival community and the impact it makes every year. Her story reflects the heart of Cycle for Survival. It’s about riding for each other. It’s about transforming support into lifesaving research. And it’s about building a future where everyone facing a rare cancer has reason to believe in what’s ahead.
Turning Support Into Impact
What makes Cycle for Survival unique is its direct impact: 100% of every dollar raised funds rare cancer research at MSK. For Sydney, it’s proof that the community carrying her forward is also driving the research that’s changing what’s possible for people with rare cancers everywhere.
