1993-2017 *My 25th Pan Mass Challenge* 2017

Through the years; 99,710 riders.           60,044 volunteers.               GRAND TOTAL raised; $547,000,000 !!!

1993; 1,323 riders                     956 volunteers.               $2,300,000 raised

2016; 6,260 riders.                     4,000 volunteers.                        $47 MILLION raised

Thanks to you, $$$$ raised by you and me :).         1993; $5475     2106; $14,845      

             GRAND TOTAL raised; to date; $230,053.56!

Dear AMAZING and LOYAL sponsors,

As I wrestle with the awfulness and sadness and extensive memories of too many family members and friends who have waged the cancer fight and lost, I must hold in my heart our PMC mission and milestones and celebrate the survivors and the strides we have made with that insidious disease. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, appreciation, love and hope as I reflect upon the last 25 years. Thank you sincerely for being such a paramount part of my PMC journey, my spiritual Team Believe, and for the phenomenal support you have given to me; the Pan Mass Challenge and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

I remember my first ride, as if it were yesterday. With shaking insides and blood pressure rising, I stood in our Sturbridge parking lot in the middle of the night, fearing the predicted freezing cold monsoon like weather, and instead was met with a full moon, beautiful stars and clouds breaking up, sending the storm the other way.What I learned in an instant and so many instances since, it’s really not about the weather. The PMC is so many things at once. The PMC= teamwork at its best; an army of cancer warriors, 6,000+ riders, 4,000+ volunteers, and mega thousand sponsors. The PMC = determination, energy and commitment. And above all,the PMC = LOVE and HOPE.

With PMC 25 on the very near horizon, I am feeling blessed to be healthy and fit, in spite of some physical challenges in the last month. I can’t wait to volunteer and I can’t wait to come together with my fellow PMCers;To laugh, to cry, to hug, to remember, to share, to support, to celebrate, to pedal, to press on and make our stand against cancer. I get shivers even thinking of it. The PMC is powerful and indeed is far more than a bike ride or weekend experience. It is a lifestyle. And no matter how bad or scary the weather is, or what challenges come my way in training or over the PMC miles, nothing rivals a cancer diagnosis.

I am riding with so many in my heart and on my back. I ride for all of you and all of our loved ones.

I hope you will please join and support me/ us once again. Our continued efforts, with 100% going to DFCI, are bringing cutting edge treatments, increasing survivorships and hope to all of us.

Gifts can be made online or checks can be mailed to me at 14 Abenaqui Dr, York , Maine.03909

It would take a corporate leap to get me to $250,000 in my 25th year. That’s my dream and maybe if I put it out there, it will bring me closer to it. Thank you for any support you can give.

I am thrilled to be riding PMC this year with my cousin Tag and his wife, Gwen; both inspirational survivors, riding their first PMC! I ride especially too with my sister in law in my heart and prayers, (Will’s wife, Bev), as she wages a stoic fight against pancreatic cancer. And with two Middlebury buddies, Ben Stone and Dave Mittelman ( a longtime PMCer) in my heart, who were taken quickly this winter and spring to brain tumors…. I know what they would both say; “Keep, keep pedaling, Fish. The PMC = HOPE. ” And I will. And I always will.

Thank you for being part of my Team Believe.

With gratitude and love,

Ellen/ El/ Fish

Imagine this, each recent year; * PMC by the Numbers * Keeping us fueled!!!!

1,490 lbs peanut butter 20,000 bananas 15,000 bags trail mix 3250 lbs chicken 1,500 lbs pasta

270 lbs fluff 10,500 hamburgers 7,500 slices pizza 1,800 loaves of bread 180 kegs of beer

24,000 slices cold cuts 7,500 cliff bars 4,000 bagels 6,500 hotdogs 450 watermelons