Family honors late cyclist at Pittsburgh’s ‘Rush to Crush Cancer’

Michael Michna, a cyclist, business owner and fighter, faced stage-4 glioblastoma with optimism and determination before he died in January. His story, and the hope he found through clinical trials at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, continues to inspire others.”You got to believe. You have to keep the faith in everything you’re doing every day. You can believe you can beat it. And without that, you don’t have much of a chance,” Michna told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 during his battle.This year, as the “Rush to Crush Cancer” cycling event returns, Michna’s son and future daughter-in-law are riding in his honor and inviting others to join them.Michna’s journey through surgery, treatment and clinical trials at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center gave his family more time with him.”His cancer was in remission with no evidence of disease for a year and three months, which is, like, unheard of with glioblastoma,” said Presley Gedman, Michna’s son’s fiancée.The average life expectancy after a glioblastoma diagnosis is six months, but Michna lived just over two years. “The length of time in which he was able to live a normal life, and travel to France and London and all of these places and enjoy life was, I think, in large part due to the clinical trials and the incredible care that Hillman was able to provide,” Gedman said. For Michna, quality of life meant staying active and on his bike, one of his favorite places to be. He became a natural face of “Rush to Crush Cancer,” a cycling event that raises money for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center research in Pittsburgh. After Michna’s death on Jan. 5, his family decided to turn their grief into action by building a team in his honor for this year’s event. “We want to carry on his legacy,” Gedman said.”He touched so many people in such a positive way that I think that’s what we really want to focus on,” said Michna’s son, also named Michael.The family emphasized that their participation is about more than remembering Michna. It’s about helping other families get the same chance they did to make more memories, reach more milestones and have more tomorrows.”He fought with every atom in this body. But really, the research and the advancements and treatments that they’re developing that have allowed me to have that extra time with my father really meant the world to me,” Michna’s son said.The “Rush to Crush Cancer” events begin May 16, and the ride takes place on May 17. Participants can choose from multiple distance options, including eight, 15, 30 and 60 miles. All proceeds stay in Pittsburgh and go directly to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center research and care.

PITTSBURGH —

Michael Michna, a cyclist, business owner and fighter, faced stage-4 glioblastoma with optimism and determination before he died in January. His story, and the hope he found through clinical trials at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, continues to inspire others.

“You got to believe. You have to keep the faith in everything you’re doing every day. You can believe you can beat it. And without that, you don’t have much of a chance,” Michna told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 during his battle.

This year, as the “Rush to Crush Cancer” cycling event returns, Michna’s son and future daughter-in-law are riding in his honor and inviting others to join them.

Michna’s journey through surgery, treatment and clinical trials at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center gave his family more time with him.

“His cancer was in remission with no evidence of disease for a year and three months, which is, like, unheard of with glioblastoma,” said Presley Gedman, Michna’s son’s fiancée.

The average life expectancy after a glioblastoma diagnosis is six months, but Michna lived just over two years.

“The length of time in which he was able to live a normal life, and travel to France and London and all of these places and enjoy life was, I think, in large part due to the clinical trials and the incredible care that Hillman was able to provide,” Gedman said.

For Michna, quality of life meant staying active and on his bike, one of his favorite places to be. He became a natural face of “Rush to Crush Cancer,” a cycling event that raises money for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center research in Pittsburgh.

After Michna’s death on Jan. 5, his family decided to turn their grief into action by building a team in his honor for this year’s event.

“We want to carry on his legacy,” Gedman said.

“He touched so many people in such a positive way that I think that’s what we really want to focus on,” said Michna’s son, also named Michael.

The family emphasized that their participation is about more than remembering Michna. It’s about helping other families get the same chance they did to make more memories, reach more milestones and have more tomorrows.

“He fought with every atom in this body. But really, the research and the advancements and treatments that they’re developing that have allowed me to have that extra time with my father really meant the world to me,” Michna’s son said.

The “Rush to Crush Cancer” events begin May 16, and the ride takes place on May 17. Participants can choose from multiple distance options, including eight, 15, 30 and 60 miles.

All proceeds stay in Pittsburgh and go directly to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center research and care.