Lisa and Dr. Jeff Genecov co-chair this year’s ride; longtime supporter Alan Yonack to receive Teal Warrior Award

By Deb Silverthorn

By Deb Silverthorn

The fight against ovarian cancer enters its 14th round from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 27, when Be The Difference Foundation’s Wheel to Survive returns to Venue Forty|50 in Addison. The 2026 ride is co-chaired by Lisa A. and Dr. Jeff Genecov, sister-in-law and brother of co-founder Julie Shrell.

“Our support of Be The Difference Foundation starts with Julie (Shrell), our nieces Marissa (Kaufman) and Simone (Noble), and then for all those who have been affected by the BRCA gene and ovarian cancer,” said Jeff Genecov. “One of my dear friends from childhood was affected by the gene and he, his mother and sister all passed away from cancers related to the gene. My godfather’s wife, her sister and their mother all died of ovarian cancer, and each carried the BRCA gene.

“Lisa and I have participated in every ride — this year with our own team — ‘Hope on Spokes,’” he continued. “I’ve ridden all six hours and been a cheerleader, and this year it’s an honor to co-chair with my wife.”

More than $6.7 million has been distributed since 2012. This year’s proceeds will support ovarian cancer research and patient support at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Simmons Cancer Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

“We are back, and as always — we believe the event will be better than ever,” said Jon Mize, BTDF’s director of operations, events and corporate partnerships. “There is so much commitment to finding a cure for ovarian cancer, and to helping those in the throes of the disease, that we just know what we are doing makes a difference. Today, and every day.”

One in 40 Ashkenazi Jews has a BRCA mutation — 10 times the rate in other populations — and the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2026, 21,010 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed and 12,450 women will die from the disease.

Alan Yonack will receive this year’s Helen Gardner Teal Warrior Award, becoming only its second recipient. The award is named in honor of Helen Gardner, who co-founded Be The Difference Foundation with Jill Bach, Lynn Lentscher of blessed memory and Julie Shrell.

“There are people who support an organization, and then there are people who become part of its story. Alan is part of the story of Be The Difference Foundation. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of being honored by Wheel to Survive this year,” said Gary Gardner, Helen’s husband, who first met Yonack when he was a young child.

Yonack, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, made annual visits to Dallas to see family who lived next door to the Gardners. The friendship deepened after he moved to Dallas.

Helen was a tax accountant, while Yonack built his career as an investment adviser with Morgan Stanley. The two developed a professional relationship as the couples’ friendship grew.

“When Helen was diagnosed with cancer, Alan and Sheryl were among our biggest supporters. They were there for us during a very difficult time, and that support ultimately carried over into something that became incredibly important to Helen,” said Gardner. “When she, Jill, Lynn and Julie created Be The Difference Foundation, Alan and Sheryl jumped in from the beginning.

“Alan and Sheryl were instrumental in reaching out to their friends, encouraging people to participate, and helping to build the community around Wheel to Survive,” Gardner added. “They weren’t simply supporters who showed up for the event. They helped create the momentum that allowed it to grow. And Alan never stopped.”

Year after year, Yonack has continued to ride, raise money and support the mission. One of the foundation’s top three fundraisers, he has raised more than $300,000.

“What I think about more than the money raised is the kid from Albuquerque who used to visit his cousin in Dallas. I think about the friendship that developed between our families. I think about Alan and Helen helping each other professionally,” said Gardner. “I think about Alan and Sheryl standing beside us when Helen got cancer, about Helen asking them to believe in something that, at the time, was little more than an idea shared by four women who wanted to make a difference.

“Alan believed in them. He believed in Helen. And all these years later, he is still there,” Gardner said.

“Ovarian cancer is a devastating disease, often diagnosed in later and more difficult stages of the disease, and we all have mothers, daughters, sisters and others we love. To raise funds for earlier detection, better trials, better treatments and, ultimately, a cure is vitally important. From the beginning, Sheryl and I were all in — both financially and as boots on the ground,” said Yonack, who with his wife chaired the 2020 Wheel to Survive event when $300,000 was raised. “My friendship with Helen has made my efforts all the more meaningful and I get great internal satisfaction.”

The 2026 Wheel to Survive sponsors include Colven, Tran & Meredith P.C.; Lisa A. and Dr. Jeffrey S. Genecov; Holland & Knight; Huntington Bank; JLB Partners; Medical City Dallas; Sarah and Ross Perot Jr. Foundation; Planet Fitness; PLAYTRI; Sewell; Stevens Transport; Texas Oncology; UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center; Vaquero Wealth Management; Jackson Walker; and Wood Partners.

The ride also returns with a fundraising raffle. Prizes include gift cards; four tickets to a Dallas Mavericks or Dallas Stars game; a Texas Rangers ticket package and in-booth experience with Jared Sandler; two nights at the Sinclair Hotel in Fort Worth; two nights at The Joule; and a pair of diamond stud earrings from Pailet Diamond.

“I know that we’ve made a difference and that, every day, when someone gets diagnosed with ovarian cancer, we can tell them with confidence that we are working toward a cure and that we’re here to support them,” said Shrell. “I’m so lucky to be a 16-year survivor. To have been at my children’s graduations, weddings and now to be a grandmother.”

Having her brother and sister-in-law chair this year’s event is especially meaningful, Shrell said.

“The support that I have received from family and friends, and people I don’t know, has given me the strength, courage and comfort to be the difference in this fight every single day. Jeff and Lisa have been by my side since day one and always support the foundation and me.”

A 19-year survivor, Jill Bach said, “Most women diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer don’t reach five years. I’ve had nearly four times that; time to watch my children grow into adults, and now enough time to hold three grandchildren I once feared I’d never meet.

“I think often about why I’m still here and I’ve come to believe that my survivorship is meant to be used for good — to help make sure more women get more years, more milestones, more life,” she said. “Be The Difference Foundation supports research, provides Bags of Hope filled with comforting and practical items for women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and facilitates Survivors Teaching Students with the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, connecting survivors with future medical professionals and educating the next generation of doctors.”

New this year is a supervised Kids Zone with face painting, bracelet making, bean bag and ring toss games.

On Dec. 5, BTDF will host its first pickleball tournament at At Fault in Farmers Branch. Runway for Hope returns Feb. 26, 2027, at the Marriott Quorum in Addison. Event details will be posted at bethedifferencefoundation.org.

TJP readers receive a 50% registration discount using promo code TJP. To register for the Sept. 27 Wheel to Survive or to donate, visit tinyurl.com/Wheel-to-Survive-2026.