PMC 2011 Passenger Profile: Charleen Hinkler

My fourth passenger for this year's PMC is Charleen Hinkler.  Cindy Scanland, a long-time friend from Spring, TX, sent Charleen's story and pictures.

Charleen, Cindy's friend and co-worker at HP,  was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2009.  By the time they had diagnosed the cancer it had already spread to her bones.   However, rather than traditional radiation and chemo, Charleen was able to undergo treatment with a new targeted biotherapy (in her case, Tarceva).  Her cancer responded to the treatment and  Charleen did really well for about a year: her bone and lung cancer went into remission and she continued about her life.


After about a year, however, a small tumor was discovered on Charleen's liver. Radiation and chemo treatments for the liver cancer were very hard on Charleen, but again, she continued to be positive, outgoing and active, going on bike rides on her recumbent trike.

In early October 2010, Charleen felt ill enough to be hospitalized.  Her condition degenerated rapidly and she passed away soon after admission from multiple organ failure (likely precipitated from liver damage).

I'm honored and happy to carry Charleen's pictures and story along with me on the PMC and ride in her memory.