In 2023, Dan was sick with an upper respiratory infection for six weeks and died only four days after receiving a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. The cancer had spread to his lungs, liver and colon. She also lost their father to the same type of cancer. The loss of her youngest brother and father left an unspeakable void.
“Danny’s death broke my heart. He was the baby of the family,” Mathewson says.
Determined to honor their memories — and to heal, she joined Bike to Cure, the annual flagship event of VeloSano, a year-round movement to fund cancer research.
Left to right: Dan Katiba grew up in Lorain, Ohio. Upper left image shows his father, mother, and his three sisters, Mary Jo, Dan (middle) then Pat and Debbie. He has two sons, Jack and Harry, and enjoyed watching them play hockey and perform in marching bands. Pictured below, Dan and his wife Rebecca.
Mathewson first experienced VeloSano Bike to Cure by partnering with a fellow caregiver to tackle a 50-mile bike ride. This was a significant milestone for her after years of not riding while she raised two children.
Her first ride was a success, reigniting her passion for cycling. She started organizing more rides and exploring her favorite routes through the Metroparks in Lorain County.
“It wasn’t just about achieving a personal goal,” she says. “It was about honoring those who had lost their lives to cancer and supporting those still fighting.”
Challenged by her son, Joe, Mathewson took it a step further and aimed for a 100-mile ride in last year’s Bike to Cure.
Training was intense. She trained three times a week, gradually increasing her distance, with her longest training ride reaching 80 miles.
Right: Mary Jo with her son Joe, riding in Bike to Cure
On ride day, anxiety set in. Despite her training, the ride was tough.
Non-stop rain and strong winds made for a bone-chilling journey. She struggled through 66 miles, battling hypothermia and exhaustion. She reached Burton, Ohio, where a friend met her along the route, brought her dry clothes and snacks, and encouraged her to take the route one mile at a time. Mathewson pushed on.
She says she was in tears but determined to finish.
A volunteer Mathewson met along the way offered to stay with her, providing much-needed support. These volunteers drive the course constantly checking on the riders and offer any assistance along the way. Ultimately, Mathewson decided it was too much to make it to the final stop of the route. “I couldn’t help but feel disappointed in myself,” she says.
But she thought of her brother Danny and the support of her co-workers who knew how hard she had trained. Her two sisters greeted her with open arms at the finish line, holding up a sign in honor of their late brother.
Mother Nature wasn’t kind that day, but she says that ride offered a moment when she felt gratitude.
Mary Jo (middle) and her two sisters, Pat and Debbie
“The experience was humbling. There were people in the crowd that you knew were battling cancer. Seeing their faces was a powerful reminder of why I was there,” she says.
Her journey was a testament to the power of determination, love, and healing that comes from giving back.
You can make a difference too. Register for VeloSano’s Bike to Cure weekend from Sept. 5-6, 2025, and ride for a cause. Whether it’s Guardians City Loop (6 miles) or 100 miles, your participation helps support cancer research and honors those affected by cancer.
100% For The Cure
