Last night, as I registered for my 11th Pan-Mass Challenge, I thought about the mom of my daughter's friend who is going through cancer treatments, a teammate who just had surgery to remove her latest cancer threat, and another teammate who just lost a sibling to this disease. I won't stop until the mission is accomplished - to end cancer. This is not a moonshot - ending cancer is a game-changer for all the generations to come. #itstimetoendcancer All donations are welcome.
(written on 1/6/17)
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2016: HOW COULD IT BE 20 YEARS ...or 10 YEARS or 5 YEARS? Where does the time go? (written January 9, 2016)
Many of my college friends will remember the day, in February 1996, the year after I graduated, when I told them I had cancer. During those days, these friends gave me more than I could ever hope to return to them.
Many of my Boston friends will remember when I held my first PMC fundraising event at Harpoon in July 2006. On this day and over the years since, these friends have supported my ride, joined me on the road, and given me more than I could ever hope to return to them.
My Baltimore friends remember learning that my cancer had returned in April 2011. In those days and the years since, these friends and families have been integral in getting me through treatment and the long recovery that followed and incredibly supportive of my PMC efforts despite the fact that many of them have no idea where Sturbridge, MA is. These friends have given me, MIchele, and Shannon more than we could have expected, and we can only hope that we can match the generosity of love and spirit that they have shared with us.
When I get on my bike, whether it is in the basement on the trainer or out for ride... it is these moments and these friends who I think about. These moments act as a reminder of what I have been through. The surgeries. The horrible chemo treatments. The unforgiving recovery. That first ride after chemo, all 2 miles of it. The dozens and dozens of blood tests and CT scans. The uncertainty of what is next. These friends motivate me to get over that next hill, to go for that next ride, to spend another hour in the basement on my bike going absolutely nowhere. Because so many have told me about family and friends who have been diagnosed with cancer... or have been lost to this disease. I push and grind and push and grind each year to raise funds for Dana-Farber so that these friends no longer have to worry about the hearing the dreaded words You have cancer or your child has cancer or your mom has cancer.
This year's PMC, my 10th ride, will be my way to personally celebrate all these people and moments. PMC weekend is always very emotional for me. Being with all the cyclists focused on raising massive funds for a cure and spending time with fellow survivors is always very moving and emotional. I feel like I am either crying or laughing the whole weekend. As this year coincides with my 20th anniversary of my initial bout and the 5th anniversary of my recurrance, I plan to spend a lot of time connecting with friends who have help me and my family through the years and through the treatments and say thank you. I ride the PMC because I don't know what else I can do to end cancer except raise money, raise awareness, and be thankful for the opportunity to just be able to ride.
So, as I embark on 8 months of training so I can ride 300 miles in 3 days in August, I say to you thank you for all you have given me through the years in your friendship and support and, of course, your generosity. Since you are reading this now, I hope that you will take another moment to help me in the cause to help end cancer in our lifetime. Any amount is welcome, and I am grateful for your contribution. Thank you!
- Andy Seguin, two-time Cancer survivor, ten-time PMC cyclist, son of two cancer survivors, grandson to 3 grandparents who had cancer, and nephew of a courageous aunt who battled cancer multiple times
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2015: Pushing On (written on 2/4/15)
On August 1st, along with more than 5,000 fellow cyclists, buoyed by an army of thousands of volunteers, I will begin my 9th PMC. I have begun to think that as each year goes by, my passion for this event and for its noble mission - to raise money that will lead to finding cures for cancer - has become more obsessive. Hardly a day goes by that I don't wear some PMC swag, or train for the ride, or think about a new fundraising idea.
Often my PMC thoughts are triggered by reminders of loved ones, family, friends, and friends of friends, who have faced cancer personally. If you know me, then you likely know that I am a 2-time cancer survivor. These reminders have become nearly omni-present, for two separate reasons. The first is the wonderful one - that more and more, these loved ones are facing cancer and beating it. These people are Living Proof and I share an instant connection with them. The second reason that these reminders are more frequent are the still-to-common losses and new challenging diagnoses that have little or no treatment options. Both sets of reminders have a unique way of motivating me - to continue to train, to continue to ride, and to continue raising more money.
So, here's the ask - have you been touched by cancer? On my blog, you'll see my Why I Ride board, on which I add a name of a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance who has faced cancer before each of my training sessions. During my training sessions this winter, this board stares back at me while I pedal on my trainer - a constant reminder of why I am on my bike, in the basement, for the 4th straight day. And I keep Pushing On.
Now it is my time to ask you. Will you push on with me? What are you willing to donate today to help end cancer and to see an end to the pain, suffering, and sadness that this insipid disease causes? What if it was the life of a loved one, a friend, or a college roommate? What if it was your child? What if it was you?
Make a donation and save lives. It is that simple. Right now, you have a chance to save lives.
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2014: Let's Finish This (written 1/3/14)
Not a day goes by that I am not reminded about cancer. I see the scars on my body. I rub my shaved head that I shave short to this day in memory of the young kids I went through radiation therapy with some 17 years ago now. I see my PMC Living Proof t-shirts in my drawer or my PMC bike jerseys hanging in my basement, waiting for spring. to return. I talk to my mom, a cancer survivor herself, on the phone. Or read another article online about another life cut too short because of this viscous disease.
Last week, I flashed to thinking about cancer as I was a pall bearer at my grandfather's funeral. The same grandfather, who like me, 17 years ago, was diagnosed with cancer as well. He beat his prostate cancer. It never beat him. His strength, and great treatments, allowed him to live into his late 80s and enjoy the continued growth of his family. He would have missed the arrival of his eighth and final grandchild as well as 3 great-grandchildren. We often talked about how unique it was that we went through cancer together.
[you should know that he passed not from cancer, but heart problems]
As these reminders are ever-present in my life, I am confident that the day will come when the cures for all cancer will have been discovered. There will be no more need for walks, or runs, or bake sales, or bike rides to raise money to help. But until then, I am COMMITTED to this cause, to see it to the end, to see it to completion, to live in a society that is cancer-free. I will continue to donate, to fundraise, to train, and to ride the PMC until that day comes.
If you have landed on this page, I expect that you already know at least part of my story. I am a two-time cancer survivor and the son/grandson/nephew of 3 breast cancer battlers. I am proud and humbled to be Living Proof.
This year is my 8th year riding the PMC. Thanks to the generosity of over 200 friends, families, and colleagues, nearly $50,000 has been contributed in my name in the past 7 years. Last year - my comeback year - was the biggest yet. And it was another year of learning about more friends and loved ones of friends who have been diagnosed with cancer. With each one, I receive a stunning reminder that my effort and commitment to this mission must continue on. To do what I can to help.
And now it comes to you. What would you give to save a live? What if it was the life of a loved one, a friend, or a college roommate? What if it was your child? What if it was you?
Make a donation and save lives. It is that simple. Right now, you have a chance to save lives.
Please read my blog for updates on my road to recovery from cancer and updates on my training and fundraising efforts. I have set the goal of $10,500 this year to match the initial TOTAL donation made by the 1st PMC 35 years ago. This year, the event's total goal is $40 million, which will certainly move our planet much closer to the day the cures are a reality.
Thank you for helping,
Andy
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(written prior to the 2013 ride)
2013: This Is Personal
If you have landed on this page, I expect that you already know at least part of my story. I am a two-time cancer survivor and the son/grandson/nephew of 3 breast cancer battlers. I am proud and humbled to be Living Proof. And the mission of the PMC, to provide Dana-Farber's doctors and researchers with the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers, is one that I pour my energy into every day, every week, every month, every year. And I will continue to do so until the glorious day, until we find a cure.
This year is my 7th year riding the PMC. Thanks to the generosity of over 200 friends, families, and colleagues, over $40,000 has been contributed in my name in the past 6 years. Last year - my comeback year - was the biggest yet. And it was another year of learning about more friends and loved ones of friends who have been diagnosed with cancer. With each one, I receive a stunning reminder that my effort and commitment to this mission must continue on. To do what I can to help.
And now it comes to you. What would you give to save a live? What if it was the life of a loved one, a friend, or a college roommate? What if it was your child? What if it was you?
Make a donation and save lives. It is that simple.
Please read my blog for updates on my road to recovery and updates on my training and fundraising efforts. I hope to see you soon.
Best,
Andy
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(written prior to the 2012 ride)
2012 - I am glad you are here.
2011 was not a whole lot of fun, being forced to tackle cancer head on and beat it again. When you get that diagnosis, like I did last March, about all you can do is put your head down and charge forward. No one says hey, I want to beat cancer this year. If you are lucky enough to do it, then you did what you had to do. It is really that simple. For me and many others, there was never another option.
The same is true about riding the PMC. This year, I will be 10 months removed from my final chemo treatment, and as I write this in January, I have not been on my bicycle for 18 months. But, some way, I will be in Sturbridge ready to go.
Now here is the challenge for you! Donate. I guarantee you that I am not the only person that you will meet in your lifetime that has had cancer. And through the PMC and our efforts to make cancer history, more of the people in your life that are stricken will be cured. Make a donation and save lives. It is that simple.
Please read my blog for updates on my recovery and updates on my training and fundraising efforts. I hope to see you soon.
All the best,
Andy
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NEWS ABOUT MY 2011 RIDE (April 4, 2011)
Last week, I learned that Hodgkins Lymphoma has decided to return to my life and invade my body. Fifteen years. Time for a rematch. I am not sure what that means yet for treatment (please read my blog for updates), I will find this out soon. I am also not sure what it means yet for my ride - if I will be done treatment and strong enough to ride 200 miles in 2 days. But I am sure that I hate cancer now more than ever and am more committed to raising money so EVERYONE BEATS CANCER! My passion is re-doubled - please read my original message for 2011 below about why I ride the Pan Mass Challenge.
ORIGINAL POST (JAN. 2011)
I am back for my 5th PMC in 2011. This year marks my 15th year of Life With Cancer. More thoughts and dreams to follow....
First off, I have to say thank you to all my supporters for doing your part to make this happen. In 4 years, 175 people have donated to my ride a total of $26,179. I am in awe of the continued encouragement and support I receive from all of you. And it is because of you that I am, right now, committed to riding my 5th PMC in 2011 to celebrate my 15th year of life after my cancer treatment!
I am now more committed to this cause than ever.
- Because of the encouragement and support that you have given me.
- Because of the notes and phone calls I receive from friends who just want to talk about their family’s battle against cancer.
- Because of the knowledge that a world where cancer is treatable, manageable, and curable is obtainable, if not in my lifetime, then in my daughter’s.
- Because one of you receives an email from Senator John Kerry every year about the PMC and to get a donation and you write him back to tell him that you are on board, but that you will supporting me instead of him.
- Because of the hundreds of signs, put up along the PMC route by people I don’t know and will never meet, thanking the riders for riding a bike, saying that their mom or dad or son or daughter now have a chance to beat the cancer that they are fighting.
- Because of the families in my life that are battling this disease right now.
Four words: A cure for cancer.
That is the ultimate goal. The PMC is one part of the grand mission to make that happen. My annual ride is just one small piece of that mission. Your continued emotional and financial support in all of this is INVALUABLE.
I will kick off my fundraising next February 23rd, the 15th anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. My fundraising goal for 2011 will be $7,500 (5 years of riding X 15th anniversary x $100). I know that I can count on you for your support!
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