I ride 192 miles in the Pan Mass Challenge to honor my mother who fought for her life with courage and grace and who with the help of Dana Farber was able to beat cancer and has been healthy and cancer free for 17 years.

With a heavy hearty, I ride in loving memory of Ellen Ahern, Dave Slarve, Terri Mason, Anne Thruelsen, Bob Rocheleau, Joe Pitterino, Rose Roche, Paul Fitzgerald and Allison Fennel Grossman, whose lives were cut short by cancer. Cancer may have worn down their bodies and exhausted their strength, but it couldn’t dim their smiles. Their smiles were fueled by their love for family and friends and their memories will live on forever in our hearts.

With loving support, I take on this challenge to encourage family and friends who are battling cancer. Auntie Kathy, Zack Cummings, Brad Obukowski & Andrea Sarro, may they stay strong! Riding and raising money for cancer research my effort to support my love ones as they face some of their most difficult days. There are other loved ones – too many to mention, who have been touched by cancer, who are right this very moment fighting for their lives, who have been served by Dana Farber.

And I ride for those who have kicked cancer's ass! Way to go Eve Stolz, Angela Jarman, Jane Hanson, Cheryl Neale Cuddy, Glenn Cannon, Amy Flavin and so many more. Your strength and courage combined with the care and treatment at Dana Farber have been an inspiration to so many of us. I will be thinking of you as I pedal throughout the ride, but really looking to you for strength during the last leg of the ride when I will want to give up, but will fight through the exhaustion.I am riding 192 miles in the Pan Mass Challenge this August 3rd and 4th to raise money and awareness for Dana Farber Cancer Institute.