In August we will ride in our ninth Pan-Mass Challenge! With the generosity and care that our family, friends and community demonstrate year after year, it’s hard not to be inspired to ride again. Last year alone you donated $42,000 to our ride bringing total contributions in just eight years to over $240,000. That is amazing and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making such an incredible impact.

This year there is more than ever riding on us. The proposed 40% cut to the NIH budget could represent a negative impact of $50 million to Dana Farber, and as much as $200 million over the next four years. NIH grants fuel the science that saves lives. The funds do not sit in endowment, they’re at work in research labs and clinics. Losing those funds and/or the people who utilize them means stalling progress and slowing the momentum in our fight against cancer. This is not politics, it’s personal because when federal support is in question, patients are the ones who pay the price. That is why what you do – and what we do – matters more than ever and we are committed to accelerating our efforts.

As in years past, we are inspired and committed to ride because of the stories that you have shared with us on how cancer has impacted your lives and the ones you love. Sadly, each year new stories are added to that list. So yes, we ride to raise money. But as importantly, we ride to protect progress. We ride to defend hope. And we ride to ensure that nothing – and no one- stands in the way of funding the cures for cancer.

We are very proud to support an incredible, world class institution like Dana-Farber in this effort to further cancer research and care. We humbly ask for your donation to our ride to continue the fight against cancer. Every dollar raised goes directly to Dana-Farber. When we ride, we think of how incredibly lucky we are to have so many wonderful people in our lives who support our effort.

Thank you so much for your past support and for your consideration to help us this year!

I ride in loving memory of my mom Jeaninne and mother-in-law Dolores, Uncle Richie, Uncle Red, Charlie Conant, Uncle Bob, Uncle Paul, John-David, and so many other friends and family who have been impacted by cancer. We also ride to honor the youngest and fiercest fighters in our family, Mollie and Gracie Ward!