FLEMING ISLAND—When Navy veteran Gary Hargrove fights, it’s to win.

That’s especially true as he faces one of the most difficult battles of his life.

It’s been almost four years since Hargrove, co-owner of Open Road Bicycles, was first diagnosed with colorectal cancer — a surprise that changed his entire trajectory.

But he won that battle.

And amid his second diagnosis — this time lung cancer — he said he’s going to do the same.

“I’m not going to let it beat me.”

As someone who doesn’t plan on giving up anytime soon, Hargrove prides himself in helping other cancer warriors carry the same sentiment. With the assistance of his wife, Kimberly, Hargrove said he’s helping to distribute bags of hope throughout the community.

Centered around a bag filled with practical items for patients dealing with the realities of cancer, Operation Positive Vibes’ Blue Bag Project is something he’s proud to be a part of.

Operation Positive Vibes, co-founded by cancer survivor Richard Reyes, strives to deliver empowerment to veterans and those dealing with endless days of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgeries.

Once unzipped, the bag overflows with 19 meaningful goodies, including lip balm, a sleep mask, an anti-nausea wristband, hand sanitizers, a beanie, a journal and informational infographics, among other things.

Hargrove said he first met Reyes shortly after his surgery back in 2022. He said he was the very first recipient of what was then a simple drawstring bag.

“I ended up with a collapsed lung, and that’s when Richard, he was just stopping to see me at the hospital and had the first blue bag,” he said.

He said the two brainstormed on how to grow its contents and cater to those who need it most.

“We want to be able to help people,” he said. “It’s not about what’s in that bag because that's all material, but it’s allowing us to show people that you’re not in this fight alone. There’s others that are going through it that care. And I’m one of them.”

 Hargrove said he and his wife purchase a plethora of bags from the organization and make weekly stops to local hospitals and individuals to distribute. Hargrove said their outreach even goes further, stretching to places outside of Florida.

Whenever people call or ask for a bag or simple words of encouragement, he’s there.

“It’s primarily word of mouth because that's how it is. A lot of people don’t want to talk about it,” he said.

Amid his own intense rounds of infusions and treatments, Hargrove said it can be tiring. But knowing the impact that he’s making on people’s lives motivates him to keep going.  

“I want to see people beat this,” he said.

In late May, Hargrove was recognized by Operation Positive Vibes for his dedication. In front of co-workers, family, friends and even strangers, Hargrove said he was lost for words at the amount of support that surrounded him.

“You can’t put any amount of anything on that, other than knowing that what I’m doing makes a difference,” he said.

As a bicyclist, Hargrove said, ironically, his cancer journey began when he realized that something didn’t feel right while on his bike. It wasn’t until he went to the doctor that he learned of his diagnosis.

“Of course, that just knocks the wind out of everybody,” he said.

But Hargrove said he’s come far from that moment. Tuesday marked a milestone for him, being able to get on his bicycle for the first time since the end of March.

“I got up this morning, did a seven-mile bike ride just to see how it was going to feel,” he said. “So, baby steps. Baby wins. Every little thing is a win.”

Hargrove said one thing his journey has taught him is to never give up the fight, something he hopes others will learn too.

“I remember the first thing that my oncologist and my surgeon told me was, mindset is 50 percent of the battle,” he said. “Because if you have that mindset to stay positive and that you’re going to get through it, that’s half the battle right there.”

There are six words that Hargrove emphasized to those dealing with their own personal battle and he wants them to never forget it:

“We fight and we don’t quit.”