The 45th PanMass Challenge (PMC) is just around the corner. This year marks my 13th PMC, and once again I am excited to be riding on Team Brainstorms. 100% of the funds I raise will go directly to The Declan Vail BrainStorms for a Cure Fund at The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, targeting critical research and treatment for pediatric brain cancers.
The Pan-Mass Challenge is more than a fundraiser - it’s a community of people who believe in hope, progress, and finding the cures to cancer. Your donations are more important now than ever in light of deep funding cuts to scientific research across a broad array of programs and facilities.
Our friends, the Vail family, have been dealing with this disease ever since their son Declan was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of three. This past year has been particularly difficult for Declan and his family. Declan’s tumor grew. He endured another brain surgery, only to learn that it was unsuccessful. Now Declan faces more chemotherapy or targeted therapy. His mom, Stephanie, describes their days as a whirlwind of doctors appointments, school interviews, medication changes, and behavioral challenges. He and his family continue to push forward with endless optimism and humor, buoyed by Declan’s grit, determination, and mischievous grin.
The Declan Vail BrainStorms for a Cure Fund supports a Dana Farber research project that targets the mutation which caused Declan's brain tumor. Only four percent of the National Cancer Institute's budget goes to childhood cancer, so every dollar you donate will help fight Declan's disease and promote treatments for other kids like him. The knowledge gained by this research project helps advance the fight against cancer in general. Research findings suggest that Declan's specific mutation is far less rare than previously believed, potentially paving the way for cures for a wide range of cancers.
Your generous contributions each year in support of my ride make these advances possible. You can all be very proud of the tremendous impact you are having on the lives of children and their families facing this terrible disease.
I am so very grateful for your past support of my efforts and look forward to welcoming you along for this year's PMC.
Please join me by donating to my PMC ride using one of the following links:
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