Story by: David Steen Martin on August 12, 2022
It won’t be a long bike ride, but it will a meaningful one for Laila S. Agrawal, M.D., when she and her family participate in Bike to Beat Cancer.
As a hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Agrawal has dedicated her career to caring for people with cancer. For her, it’s important to join others outside of work to acknowledge cancer’s impact on families in Louisville and throughout Kentucky.
“So many people are diagnosed with cancer or have a loved one or friend who has cancer. It’s a wonderful way to get together as a community and support those who are affected by cancer in our area,” Dr. Agrawal said.
Dr. Agrawal, her husband, Arpit Agrawal, M.D., a cardiologist, and their 6- and 8-year-old daughters plan to take part in the 5-mile Family Ride. The Agrawals rode last year, and Dr. Laila Agrawal said her family enjoyed the experience.
“It was special to see so many families, caregivers, co-workers and Norton Healthcare employees come out for this event,” said Dr. Laila Agrawal, who specializes in treating breast cancer at Norton Cancer Institute.
As a physician, Dr. Laila Agrawal strives to get to know every one of her patients as a person — to learn what is important in their lives and to tailor their treatment accordingly. Seeing them at Bike to Beat Cancer — with their families and outside of the hospital — is one more way to get to know and support her patients personally.
Learn more, donate or register: Choose a virtual ride, spin ride, or a 5-, 15-, 35-, 65- or 100-mile ride.
Dr. Laila Agrawal was inspired to become an oncologist after her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy and survival.
“For me, it’s very personal because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was a child,” she said. “It shapes the way I am as an oncologist. She’s been a great inspiration to me.”
Even as Dr. Laila Agrawal never forgets the human side of healing, she knows the importance of advances in medicine in the fight against cancer, and she is involved in research and clinical trials.
Funds raised by Bike to Beat Cancer help patients of Norton Cancer Institute and Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine.
In addition to the 5-mile Family Ride, participants in Bike to Beat Cancer, which starts at Norton Cancer Institute – Brownsboro, can choose a 15-, 35-, 65-, or 100-mile supported ride, or an hourlong spin ride or a virtual ride.
“It’s such a meaningful and wonderful cause when it helps people close to home,” Dr. Laila Agrawal said.
Select an appointment date and time from available spots listed below.