Bicyclist with brain tumor hopes 900-mile ride will inspire

A Triangle man with a malignant brain tumor is heading out on a 900-mile bike ride from Durham to Florida to raise awareness about one of the deadliest forms of cancer.

Posted 9:15 p.m. Sep 19, 2013 — Updated 11:23 p.m. Sep 19, 2013

DURHAM, N.C. — For 44-year-old Greg Sousa of Durham, riding a bicycle as a primary means of transportation is a way of life.

He's getting ready to set out on a 900-mile ride from North Carolina through Florida. It’s an amazing feat for anyone, but especially for him.

“I have a malignant brain tumor,” says Sousa.

Married with two young children, Sousa had brain surgery at Duke University Hospital last year and finished a yearlong course of chemotherapy last month.

“I'm sad. I'm human. I have to process that, and I try to spend the least time in the gutter trying to process that and figure out how to climb out,” he said about the challenge of staying positive.

Sousa is climbing out in a big way, embarking on the bike ride Sept. 24 to raise money and awareness for the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center in Durham. The goal of the Badousa Brain Bike Bonanza is to get more attention paid to brain cancer, a rare form of the disease that is considered one of the most deadly.

His fundraising ride is about 700 miles, but he will join two other riders on their treks to bring his total to 900 miles.

Sousa said he feels “bottomless appreciation” knowing he can ride his bike and raise awareness. He hopes his story will inspire others.

“I'm an example of having brain cancer and not only surviving, but thriving,” he said. “I've taken inspiration many times in my life before I was diagnosed with cancer. Now that I have cancer, sure, it's heavy, but it's also an opportunity to get in that circle and give it to other people.”

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