On December 24th, 2000 my parents and I carried out our usual tradition of visiting with family on Christmas Eve. It was a particularly tough year for my grandmother, who had been through numerous cancer-related surgeries and chemotherapy sessions, only to learn that her cancer had spread. I asked that night how she had been feeling, and her response has stuck with me ever since. Despite everything, she gave me her usual warm smile and joked about how her medications made her face puffy. I shared in this cheerful moment with her and she sent her grandchildren home that night feeling only excitement for the morning.
Grandma made it through the holidays with family and passed away two weeks later. She would probably think that riding almost 200 miles on a bicycle is a little nuts, but I'll never forget that smile that I know I'd see on her face again if I could tell her about it today.
As I sit, pedaling away for hours on my bicycle, I will reflect on the bravery of those in my life who been impacted by or have ultimately lost their lives to cancer, but who never let it get the best of their incredible human spirit.
100% of your donation goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute here in Boston. With donations totaling $45 million in 2015 alone, this event has raised over $500 million since 1980. How cool is that!? Please check out the where the money goes video for a better idea of the importance of this effort and how our donations are used.
Follow me on Strava <-- Or better yet, come ride with me!
On December 24th, 2000 my parents and I carried out our usual tradition of visiting with family on Christmas Eve. It was a particularly tough year for my grandmother, who had been through numerous cancer-related surgeries and chemotherapy sessions, only to learn that her cancer had spread. I asked that night how she had been feeling, and her response has stuck with me ever since. Despite everything, she gave me her usual warm smile and joked about how her medications made her face puffy. I shared in this cheerful moment with her and she sent her grandchildren home that night feeling only excitement for the morning.
Grandma made it through the holidays with family and passed away two weeks later. She would probably think that riding almost 200 miles on a bicycle is a little nuts, but I'll never forget that smile that I know I'd see on her face again if I could tell her about it today.
As I sit, pedaling away for hours on my bicycle, I will reflect on the bravery of those in my life who been impacted by or have ultimately lost their lives to cancer, but who never let it get the best of their incredible human spirit.
100% of your donation goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute here in Boston. With donations totaling $45 million in 2015 alone, this event has raised over $500 million since 1980. How cool is that!? Please check out the where the money goes video for a better idea of the importance of this effort and how our donations are used.
Follow me on Strava <-- Or better yet, come ride with me!