Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has named Cindy Waltzer October’s Citizen of the Month Award winner.

Waltzer, who owns and operates PEDAL Goshen, a cycling and personal training studio, is a breast cancer awareness advocate. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and is in remission. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, an annual campaign organized by major breast cancer charities to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

“Cindy’s courageous battle with breast cancer has been an inspiration to her loyal followers at PEDAL and the community,” Neuhaus said. “Most of us have been affected by breast cancer in some way. Like Cindy, the County is committed to raising awareness about breast cancer, and I’m honored to recognize her for all of her efforts.”

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. There is approximately a 1 in 8 chance that a woman will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. An estimated 266,120 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,610 women (and 460 men) will die from the disease this year.

Waltzer was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2017. She underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and a lumpectomy. Waltzer, a Spin instructor for 23 years, is now in remission. Before her diagnosis, Waltzer often organized Spin fundraisers for clients diagnosed with cancer.

Although not always able to lead classes, she was still a fixture at her Spin studio, often battling side effects of the treatments. Members of the gym organized a fundraiser for Waltzer last year and she hopes to continue to organize awareness events.

“When I was diagnosed, it was hard for everyone,” Waltzer said. “But I received support in a way that I could never imagine. People brought me meals and took over teaching my classes for me. I think everyone has been affected by breast cancer in one way or another, and I’m grateful that County Executive Neuhaus is recognizing my story and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January of 2017. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information.

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.

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