Why do I ride? While discussing cancer treatment options for my dad one of his doctors (who is a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute doctor and researcher) told me,
I wish we had more options, which is why I work on this in the lab.
When I lost my stepfather to cancer this year, a decade later, there were still not enough options or treatments. This is intolerable. And fixable.
That's why.
You can imagine how much I wish we had those options, too. I want them for others. But I'm not a doctor or nurse or a medical researcher. I am, though, a cyclist and have enjoyed bikes all my life. So I ride in the PMC because it's the best way I can help beat cancer by raising money to support the leading efforts to find treatments and cures and give doctors - and their patients - those options. Cancer touches all of us in different ways, none of them good. I started riding in the PMC because of that, for friends and relatives and especially relatives with Massachusetts roots. Then it became even more personal for me.
The bottom line is this: Leading edge treatment options cost money to develop and they're being developed at places like Dana-Farber. We are making real and visible progress.That's why fundraising is a key part of the effort to find treatments and cures for cancer, it will not happen any other way. The PMC has sent more than $1 billion to DFCI since its inception. My amazing sponsors have sent more than $300k.
The PMC is an efficient and effective way to support those research efforts. You support my ride and 100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding cures and treatments. Dana-Farber is a tremendous center and a leader in developing critical early-stage research initiatives. And this is not a geographically bound effort. Cancer treatment protocols are national, so research breakthroughs anywhere help people everywhere.
Your money is not going to PMC overhead, which is paid for from other sources including a fee I pay to ride and corporate sponsorships. Like all riders I pay the various other costs associated with the ride out of pocket. A lot of athletic fundraisers use vague or misleading language to mask high overhead or schemes that pass donations through but also pass costs through as well. The PMC's 100% and zero overhead commitment is clear and is the gold standard for athletic fundraisers. Here is more information about Dana Farber's Jimmy Fund. Your donation is also 100% tax deductible.
Why am I just getting to the ride now? Because this is a fundraiser first and foremost. But the ride is important as a metaphor and it's an incredibly meaningful experience each year.
This year, hot, cold, rain, whatever, my ride will again be the 192 miles from from Sturbridge to Provincetown in Massachusetts on the first weekend of August with a lot of amazing people. And I'll ride 50 more tough gravel miles in October. These are the most challenging rides the PMC offers and is a beautiful ride from hills to ocean across most of the state, a place where my family has history. I will again ride with my teammates as part of the Red Sox's Team 9.
My goal this year is to raise at least $25,000 through my campaign.
It's a big goal, and I cannot reach it without you and your generosity. Thank you in advance for your support.
Please contact me if you'd prefer to donate by check or DAF or another way and I can arrange that for you.
My Links
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Pan Mass Challenge Information
The Jimmy Fund
Team 9
