What Ride Makes Possible: James Bailey’s Story

When James Bailey first signed up for Ride for Roswell, he was a senior in college who had recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He knew funds raised from the event supported Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and patients – like him. However, he never could’ve predicted just how crucial those funds would be to his future.

Seven years later, when his cancer returned a second time, a cutting-edge treatment funded through events like Ride for Roswell saved his life … just in time to meet his first child.

More than a Ride

When James took part in his first Ride for Roswell, he was battling cancer. “I showed up and did the 10-mile route,” James remembered. That first Ride was about more than getting on a bike. It was about proving something to himself in the middle of one of the hardest seasons of his life.

“For me, it was telling myself, ‘I can do this,’” James said. “I was in the battle right now, and it made me feel like part of something bigger than myself.”

His personal connection to Roswell Park is what fueled his desire to give back.

“The people at Roswell Park made this experience — as bad as it was —somewhat easier to deal with,” James said. “They were so kind, caring and compassionate. They made me feel like not just another number at the hospital.”

After treatment, James went into remission. Life moved forward. He graduated from college, got married and bought a home with his wife. As they prepared to welcome to their first child, James received the news he hoped would never come: his cancer came back.

“My brain just kind of went numb,” James reflected. “I didn’t know what to think. This was different. This was uncharted territory.”

The impact of Research

James’ second battle with cancer was even more aggressive than his first. This time, James underwent more intense treatment, including chemotherapy, stem cell collection and a stem cell transplant.

That stem cell transplant, which he believes saved his life, likely would not have been possible without events like Ride for Roswell.

“I’m very fortunate to be alive in a time where stem cell transplants are widely used and have a great success rate,” he said.

That is the heart of James’ story; After riding to support Roswell Park and other cancer patients during his first diagnosis, he later found himself personally benefiting from the very progress those efforts help make possible. Funds raised through Ride for Roswell support research and treatment advances that gave James access to a stem cell transplant — an option that may not have been possible in the same way years earlier.

Today, because of continued investment in cancer research and care, patients like James have access to more advanced treatment options, more hope and more time.

“It makes me very happy that Ride for Roswell is such a big event in our community, and that so many people rally around this and donate and help raise awareness for cancer, because cancer affects everyone.”

Fighting for fatherhood

As James underwent treatment for the second time, he was also preparing for one of the biggest moments of his life: becoming a father. That goal became his motivation.

“I told myself, ‘I don’t want my son to grow up without a dad. I want to be there. I want to be present,’” he said.

At times, the physical and mental toll of treatment felt overwhelming.

“There were days I didn’t want to get out of bed,” James said. “And I forced myself to get out of bed, to walk on the treadmill, to do everything in my power to put myself in a position to be successful against cancer.”

James focused on gratitude, even in the hardest moments.

“I tried to find one thing to be grateful for every day,” he said. And each day, James kept one thought in front of him: his son.

“Let’s do it for Benson today. Let’s get up and attack the day.”

A full-circle moment

After his stem cell transplant and recovery, James was able to be in the delivery room when his son was born.

“I was very grateful,” he said. “Grateful to be alive, grateful that I had the opportunity to be in the room.”

Then came the moment he had fought so hard for: seeing his son for the first time.

“It was the best moment of my life,” James expressed. “I felt like everything was worth it in that moment — everything I’d gone through, all the pain, the suffering. It brought me to this moment, and I was able to be present.”

James feared that moment wouldn’t be possible when he first learned his cancer had returned. But because of the care he received, the advances in treatment available to him and the support of a community that continues to fund progress, it was.

Returning to Ride for Roswell

Now, James’s connection to Ride for Roswell runs even deeper.

What started as a way to give back during his first cancer experience has become one of the clearest examples of why fundraising matters. He has seen firsthand that the money raised does not just support research in theory. It helps shape real treatments, real outcomes and real futures.

“It’s come full circle, essentially. Anything I can do to help support this cause, I’m going to do moving forward,” he said.

For James, participating in Ride is no longer just about honoring the fight. It is about helping create the breakthroughs that make survival, recovery and more life possible for others.

“Ride for Roswell is one of the non-negotiables moving forward,” he said. “It’s something I will be participating in.”

And for anyone still wondering whether to sign up, donate or get involved, he has a message:

“Don’t wait to get started or get involved,” James said. “Just because it hasn’t affected you yet, just because you don’t know anyone, doesn’t mean you can’t be involved.”

Search Ride for Roswell