I PMC BECAUSE I HAVE TO: 2020 IS MY 17TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR PARTICIPATING. CANCER DOESN'T REST. NEITHER DO I!!
A world without cancer! I often wonder if it's possible...I do what I can from raising critical research dollars to donating platelets 171 times as of 5/12/2020. However, I never would have imagined that the PMC could fall victim to a worldwide pandemic. For 17 years, my mission has been to help save lives, and this year that includes health considerations surrounding COVID-19. The PMC has made the decision that it's impossible to hold the ride while guaranteeing the safety of all 6,000+ riders, 4,000 volunteers, and hundreds of first responders. So, we are left with no responsible choice but to reimagine the PMC 2020 weekend. For me, that will mean still riding the first week in august, but probably alone, in and around Sharon, MA.
The PMC has built something that is far more than a weekend. PMC is thousands of like-minded people joined together to achieve a common goal that serves the greater good, delivering millions of dollars that translate directly into lives saved as well as genuine hope for all.
Right now, amid the pandemic and economic chaos, we need the PMC more than ever. Despite not riding with 6,000 others this August we can still demonstrate what people of common cause can do-with body, heart, and soul-to sustain the fight against cancer. Of course, that includes you, my donors. If you are able, I hope you will continue to give generously to this important cause. My minimum goal is $10,066 which will bring me to $150,000-lifetime fundraising!
Cancer sucks. It doesn't even care if you already beat it. It doesn't care how old you are or about your social status. Cance is not one disease it is over 200 different diseases. What cancer doesn't know is the PMC is it's worst nightmare. We are making incredible progress and many diseases are now curable or chronic. But many people die. Too many friends, too many family members.
This year my PMC is dedicated to a great man, Dr. Ralph Aserkoff. Dr. A, as he was known, was a premier OB-GYN in Boston for over 40 years. He delivered over 10,000 babies during his illustrious career and was Stephanie, my wife's boss, for 27 years. He was also a friend to Stephanie and me and he signed our Katuba, marriage contract, in 1993. He was a husband, a father, and a grandfather and fought cancer for many years. Rest in peace Dr. A.
This is my 13th as the captain of my team THE PATRIOTS PLATELET PEDALERS. Our team is my second family and they and the PMC have become part of my fabric, my DNA, my story. I have witnessed so many great successes in treatment for friends and loved ones, but I have also seen too many tragic and painful deaths. I can't sit by and be a spectator. This year I work in memory of so many I've lost over the years. Too many to name, but I hold them all close to my heart.
Let's do this! Your donation is fully tax-deductible and thanks to corporate underwriting of the event, every single rider-raised penny goes to DFCI to continue the ground-breaking research and to help patients. Please donate online or mail donations to me at 10 Hampshire Avenue, Sharon, MA 02067. Please make checks payable to PMC
Peace! Gary
