Thank you for visiting my PMC profile page! I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure.
Since working at Cape Cod Sea Camps in 2012, I knew I wanted to ride the PMC because of the palpable energy, positivity, and love radiating from the riders and Da Hedge.
PMC 2016 was my first ride. The feeling of riding up to the Pedal Partner tent to see all of my little patients and their families was incredibly overwhelming. There were no IV poles, no ports to access, and no chemo to give, which is exactly how it should be! Knowing what these kids and families endure inside the walls of Boston Children's and seeing them outside being a normal family is something we as nurses rarely get to see. It completely reaffirmed why I do what I do on a whole new level.
As a nurse on the Hematology/Oncology floor and DFCI in the Jimmy Fund, I actually get to see the effects of PMC in front of my eyes. A cancer diagnosis no matter what kind turns these kids' lives upside down. They are never the same and neither are their families. We live in a little bubble where teddy bears get named chemo and making sure our tubies (central IV lines) are free from getting in the way of Bob (IV pole). Bubble parades to celebrate the end of treatment are the best 5 minutes of our day, second to a quick game of heads up or air hockey in between resting up during chemo. It's a totally different world that no child or parent should ever have to know about! PMC money goes to easing this horrible burden in big ways like research grants and in small (but also very big) ways like paying for parking passes.
We are working to make sure these kids know they're still beautiful, strong and perfect despite their bald heads, feeding tubes, surgery scars, and horrible chemotherapy side effects that ravage their little bodies. They are the most courageous teeny tiny humans you'll ever meet, I can guarantee it.
I am honored to be riding with the Pedals for Pediatrics team once again. We will be celebrating every mile closer to the cure- in support of the kids and families pushing through the unimaginable and in loving memory of the kids who fought harder to still be here than I can put into words. For more information on Pedals for Pediatrics and where our fundraising goes, be sure to visit http://www.pedalsforpediatrics.org
I'll also be riding for my Grammie Bev who fearlessly fought and beat cancer twice and for my Poppa Julius who continues his fight to this day. Without a doubt, they are also my biggest and bravest superheroes whom I love with all my heart!
Thank you so much for reading about my ride, sharing my page, and of course your generosity! Any contribution is appreciated more than you know. You're all the reason PMC is what it is, I just do the riding! August can't come soon enough!
Love,
Jillian
