This year is my ninth Pan-Mass Challenge this year, leading Team Van-Guard as we ride in honor of my father, Van Schenck. I am back living in Massachusetts and though living in a different state and a very busy job kept me away last year, nothing will keep me away this year, riding with thousands of other PMCers as we fight to defeat cancer. As a dad myself now, this fight means more than ever and I am excited beyond words to lead Team Van-Guard once again on this magical weekend.

While I myself am a cancer survivor, I didn't motivate to ride in the PMC until after my father was diagnosed in 2016. We lost him in 2018 after a difficult battle, but the time we had together is yet another thing I have to be grateful to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for. The seven years between my release from the hospital and his diagnosis were seven incredible years, and without the lifesaving treatment I received, we wouldn't have gotten even those. While I miss him like Hell every day, I ride, and our team rides, in his memory. Team Van-Guard will ride this year, and every year, until the battle is won.