This is our ninth year riding the PMC . . . and our second year completing a "Reimagined" PMC ride. The Covid-19 pandemic canceled our 8th year riding, but it did not stop us from riding to raise funds for the Evan T. Mandeville DIPG Fund at Dana Farber. Although it was a bit different, we still had a two-day ride in 2020 and intend to do the same this year. As always, our hearts are heavy for the loss of our sweet nephew, but warmed by all the wonderful people we see along the roads we're riding on throughout the summer.
Our Reimagined ride takes us on an 83-mile loop from North Smithfield, RI (where we begin our journey by traveling on 'Evans Road') through Smithfield and Providence, before heading back through East Providence, Seekonk, North Attleboro and Cumberland. The final leg of our day one adventure concludes at our original starting point in North Smithfield for a relaxing night in a tent. The next day, just like the 'real' PMC, we're back on our bikes for another adventure on the roads of RI, MA & CT.
Everything we do from January through October is all about raising money, and awareness, for DIPG; it has become who we are and it is a mission we tackle with the same spirit that our sweet nephew fought this terrible disease.
Our nephew Evan was diagnosed with DIPG, in November of 2011 and passed away in November 2012; exactly a year after his diagnosis. He was diagnosed by the doctor's at Dana-Farber while at Boston Children's Hospital. Evan had a way of making all the people he met smile. It warms our hearts to hear our girls, and their cousins, continue to relive the stories of Evan's crazy antics . . . he would do anything to get a laugh! Evan could be telling a joke, doing something silly or trying to get your attention in some appropriate (or inappropriate) way, but he always managed to put a smile on your face. We ride for Evan - his memory, his courage, and his spirit.
Team Evan's Crew is now a fixture along the roads of Massachusetts during Day one of the Pan Mass Challenge. In four years, Team Evan's Crew has raised over $1,000,000 to support DIPG research at Dana Farber, in the fund named in Evan's memory. We can't thank you all enough!
Thanks for reading,
Jay
I thank all of you who supported Evan's Crew at the Pan Mass Challenge.
All donations will help to fund DIPG research at Dana Farber and be sent to the Evan Mandeville DIPG Research Fund.
My Links
Evan's Crew Facebook page
Evan's Crew Website
Team Evan's Crew