AUSTIN — They are pedaling for a purpose, and spending six hours cycling indoors to overcome a silent killer.

Wheel to Survive is an effort to fund programs for women battling ovarian cancer.

Vicki Osherow is the co-chair, and helped organize the event to raise money. Osherow wants to spread a very special message.

Vicki Osherow is the co-chair, and helped organize the event to raise money. Osherow wants to spread a very special message.

“My mom passed away from ovarian cancer in 2012. My mom was a big fighter, and advocate to raising awareness for ovarian cancer to all women,” said Osherow.

Only 20 percent of ovarian cancer cases are caught early. When the cancer is advanced, fewer than 50 percent of women live longer than five years past their diagnosis. 

“We really want women to be aware of their bodies, and be their own advocate by making sure they get into the doctor with any of the symptoms,” said Osherow.

This is the very first year for the cycling event. The goal was to raise 50,000, but so far Wheel to Survive has raised 120,000.

“Lots of emails, and lots of face to face because it’s hard for people to say no when you are there asking,” Steffani Leger, Wheel to Survive cyclist. A team from Endeavor Real Estate raised $4,000 dollars. Every single dollar raised goes toward paying for ovarian cancer treatment and research. 

“There is no screening for it. Unlike breast cancer with a mammogram or colon cancer with a colonoscopy, there is no screening method for ovarian cancer, and we have to find one,” said Kim Schocket, co-chair of Wheel to Survive.

Wheel to Survive wants women to push past the odds, notice the symptoms and battle ovarian cancer to find a will to survive.