Cancer survivor bikes around the country to spread hope

Stephen Swift is on a journey around the country on his bike but construction on Interstate 8 in Yuma is preventing him from riding into California. Swift is not letting that set him back. He is taking this extra night in Yuma as a blessing.

“You come to the point where you don’t want to continue,” explains Swift. “You just want to give up.”

However Swift won’t give up. He’s riding around the country and has been on this journey since May 7, 2012.

“I tell people, ‘I’m heading home,'” says Swift. “I am heading home and my heart is right, but my heart isn’t home. My heart is out here with people.”

In 2011 Swift’s wife died in a car crash. That car crash almost killed his youngest daughter, Savannah, as well.

“She was in a coma for three months,” shares Swift. “That little girl, she’s just so inspirational. I had to learn inspiration. I didn’t even know inspiration. It was her who inspired me to do the bike ride. Because of her fighting for her life.”

Savannah’s inspiration came at a much needed moment in Swift’s life. Shortly after the car crash he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.

“I tell people,to never give up, never give in,” stresses Swift. “Always go forward. Always. That’s the most important message I can give.”

Swift says he is not on this journey for publicity or money. He is on this journey to meet as many people affected by cancer, other illnesses, and life troubles as he can to let them know that everything will be okay.

“Love on people, care on people,” stresses Swift. “No more hate, no more violence. It’s okay to be sad. Never give up, but keep on fighting.”