In 2002, DeeDee Jonrowe, who has finished in the top ten of the last 14 Iditarod Great Sled Races, was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, she has served as an honorary chairperson for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, and raises money for breast cancer research. Her accomplishments as the top female dog musher are the stuff of legends. According to her personal website, she has both the fastest time of any woman in the history of the Iditarod and 14 top ten finishes in her career. Her second place finish in 1998 was the fifth fastest Iditarod time ever recorded at that point. In addition to the Iditarod, she has competed and won most major dogsledding races throughout her career, including the Copper Basin 300, Klondike 300 and the John Beargrease sled dog marathon.
"I have had many successes and disappointments in the past 20 years but one element has remained consistent. I have always tried to do my very best," states Jonrowe. Whether racing or surviving breast cancer, her best makes her a remarkable woman and an inspiration to breast cancer survivors worldwide. She has a book in the works about her comeback from cancer to race again. To learn more about Jonrowe, visit her here.
1. Deedee is a phenomenal musher. I was on the trail in 2001 and she is probably the most loved musher along the trail. She is an inspiration for all women for her strength and tenderness along the trail and her brave fight against breast cancer.
Posted at 8:57AM on May 24th 2006 by Diane