This August, Kelly and I will ride a reimagined Pan Mass Challenge for those who need the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's lifesaving research and treatment. In the months between now and then, will will train and fundraise relentlessly. Will you give our effort meaning?
Our ninth Pan-Mass Challenge ride is, as always, dedicated to the memory of two individuals whom we miss dearly: Kelly's mother, Beth O'Brien, who lost her 10-year battle with ovarian cancer in 2013 at the age of just 54, and my cycling mentor and friend, Robert Bobby Mac McMurray, who was taken from us in 2014 by pancreatic cancer.
Team Room for Mom
The last time Kelly spoke to her mom about the PMC in 2013, it was still months away. Beth knew she would not live to see her daughter ride those 192 miles in her honor, so she asked Kelly to Save room for me on your tandem.
Beth received years of treatment at Dana-Farber during the course of her battle; years she might not have had without their state of the art care. We miss her every day, but we're eternally grateful for the time that Dana-Farber gave our family. We fundraise and ride to ensure that they will always be there to help the next family.
Beth's spot on our tandem is right on Kelly's back.
With love in our hearts..
Bobby Mac led the Quad Cycles group rides out of Arlington, MA for years. He was a charismatic, positive and patient ride marshal and coach. He encouraged so many cyclists, myself included, to take up charity riding, to stretch themselves both physically and mentally to do their best for a worthy cause.
With unapologetic enthusiasm, Bobby commenced every ride by belting out:
With love in our hearts, and smiles on our faces, let's roll this ride!
And we will.
Super Joe!
But the PMC is not just about remembering; it's also about showing our support to those who are fighting, and have fought, like my nephew Joe.
Joe was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just two years old. Before he could understand what was happening to him, he had to brave radiation, chemotherapy, and more hospital stays than many of us will have to endure in our lifetime.
The survival rate for neuroblastoma worldwide, in a child of nearly 3 years old, is only 50%. In many parts of the country, those are the odds. At Dana-Farber, Joe received a cutting edge treatment that is achieving a survival rate above 72%. And today, Joe is in full remission. He'll turn nine in July!
Hope
The PMC is about making a difference, about never giving up, about believing in something that is bigger than any one individual, and about putting all else aside to be a part of it. The PMC is about remembrance and hope, and that's why we ride.
