Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost
Along the way, yeah
In this great future, you can't forget your past
So dry your tears, I say.
Growing up with Bob Marley, I was struck to recently understand that his death at age 36 was from a malignant melanoma. In watching One Love, based on Marley’s life, the lyrics from my childhood took on new meaning in thinking about the balance of life and death, future and past. It’s incredible to think about how much Bob Marley brought to the world in the time he had, and how short that time actually was.
Many of us have family & friends we feel the same way about … good friends we’ve had and good friends we’ve lost, and it’s both the triumphs and injustices that get me to ride my bike every year for Dana-Farber. This year is PMC 28… remarkable to think of that first PMC with 1200 riders to the 6000+ riders of today. Also still amazing to me that “two time cancer survivor” applies to me. We have many identities in this life, and this one can still surprise me with moments of connection, uncertainty, remembrance and learning. At my recent five-year check in, Dr. Daniel Abravanel gave me the go-ahead to come off the medication I’ve been on since 2019. Feels weird, but the science says its benefits have been conferred. I volunteer at Dana-Farber to pay it forward. I ride to remember and with the knowledge that great futures are possible with outstanding research and patient care.
Everything's gonna be alright, now, everything’s gonna be alright
This year’s ride will again be with The Dana-Farber Flames. Many teammates recently traveled to Londonderry, New Hampshire to ride to our Pedal Partner, Zoey Bollhardt’s house. Zoey, age 8, had just come back from a week in Maine at Camp Sunshine where she celebrated her last chemotherapy treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a two-year ordeal for her and her family. After we chalked up their entire driveway with messages and positivity, Zoey announced that we were to “chase her around the house” (where she promptly ran faster than all of us) and then go for a neighborhood bike ride. Best low-speed ride ever! Here’s Zoey with me on her wheel. The kid can ride!
So many of you have personal stories, as patients, caregivers and friends. I am privileged to ride on a team with so many people “doing the work” to give people the great future they deserve. If cancer research and patient care are on your list for philanthropic giving this year, please join me in funding the researchers and doctors moving treatments forward. The PMC guarantees 100% of your donation will go straight to Dana-Farber, and all levels of donations are needed and appreciated. Donate here or send a check to me at: 14 Aerial Street, Arlington MA, 02474
Oh little darlin, please don’t shed no tears. No, woman, no cry.
With love and gratitude,
Jen
My Links
2022 Cam Conley (Pedal Partner 2020, 2021) Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63xZCuQRIV8
Friends of Dana Farber 2019 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejj37Q2STt4&t=6s
Story about Ady: http://www.newhampshire.com/Hooksett-girl-with-leukemia-works-to-help-others-12292016
2016 Insight Blog: http://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2016/08/family-legacy-of-service-fuels-jen-cunningham-butler-in-pmc/
WBZ News Clip: http://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/22598788?token=a9fc7dbd-0ebe-487f-ab35-59c60a08397b
PMC Kids Ride story
