Our thoughts are with DeeDee …

Frontiersman editorial board

DeeDee Jonrowe has always been an Iditarod fan favorite -- people cheer her everywhere she goes, and she is one of the most popular mushers to ever have run the Last Great Race.

Now, her fans are really supporting her as she takes on her biggest battle.

Jonrowe announced last week that she has breast cancer, much to a stunned crowd. That's the bad news.

The good news is that Jonrowe is a fighter if ever there was one, and if anyone can beat breast cancer, our money is on her. She has the spirit of all Alaskans behind her in her battle.

Her popularity is not surprising, nor is her very public announcement of a very personal topic. Her vivacity for life and her eagerness to help others is something we all should strive for -- and she lives most of her life in front of cameras and in front of large groups of people.

Hardship is nothing new to Jonrowe, and she has persevered every time she has been backed into a corner.

She was in an automobile accident that claimed the life of her grandmother, and put her and her husband in the hospital. Instead of giving up, she fought harder, and ran the Iditarod the next year. She has pushed her body to the limit during numerous Crow Pass Marathons, yet she has finished every time. That is just who DeeDee is -- a fighter willing to take on anything. That kind of atttitude will help her now more than ever.

Her fans have always stood behind Jonrowe, and now more than ever. A bank account has been set up at Wells Fargo (The DeeDee Jonrowe Cancer Fund, account 1980150997) to help Jonrowe during her treatment.

The news of the breast cancer comes on the heels of learning she lost two of her largest sponsors, including Eddie Bauer, and everybody knows that mushers don't exactly get rich running the Iditarod, even the winners.

In the days following her announcement, many people have asked if they can contact Jonrowe to express their feelings. An e-mail address has been established for people to contact Jonrowe. The address is: deedeejonrowe@yahoo.net.

Jonrowe, like all people battling breast cancer, can use our help now more than ever.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jonrowe and her family, and with all victims of breast cancer and other forms of the deadly disease.