2016 WHY I PMC VIDEO
This August 2020, I will ride in my seventh Pan-Mass Challenge in honor of my parents, both of whom are cancer survivors.
My mom was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in October 2014, only a couple of months after I had completed my third PMC. Under the incredible care of her Dana-Farber doctors and nurses, my mom underwent chemo and then a stem cell transplant on New Year’s Eve 2014, during which she received cells donated by her sister. As of December 30, 2017, three years after the stem cell transplant, the recurrence risk is low enough that she is now considered CURED!
In 2016, my dad, a 14-year PMC veteran, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Luckily, it was found early and resolved quickly through surgery. I feel fortunate and appreciative that my family lives in Boston and has access to wonderful health care at places like Dana-Farber.
Now having two cancer survivors as parents solidifies for me the importance and necessity of finding a cure.
We formed Team Mama Love in 2014 with 15 of our dearest family and friends. We rode in honor of my mother and another close friend who was also being treated for cancer. Our team – on which 13 of 18 riders the first year were under age 25 – has now raised over $234,000 for Dana Farber. Please consider contributing what you can to help us get even just a little bit closer to a cure.
