Dear Friends and Family,

In a few weeks I am embarking on my 9th Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), ordinarily a 7,000+ person, 2-day bike ride across Massachusetts to raise money for cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Yet, in a year where nothing is ordinary, where the global pandemic has upended our world and caused so much economic, emotional and physical pain and disruption, the 2020 PMC is proceeding as a virtual event. That means that while I’m still raising critical dollars for the cancer community, this year I will be cycling 180+ miles solo, and my fellow cyclists and the PMC’s thousands of volunteers and roadside supporters will be spared the spectacle of my too-snug-fitting lycra uniform and dorky Team Kermit cake-topper helmet decorations.

COVID-19 has put the “challenge” in the PMC like no other year. As cancer isn’t yielding to the pandemic, I won’t either. But, as much as my PMC donors perennially have been exceptionally generous, I’m acutely aware of the emotional and financial toll that the pandemic has exacted on so many. Charitable giving should be gratifying and empowering, rather than a burden, thus I’d love your support only if doing so will be fulfilling for you. And, if you’re focusing your financial energy this year to help communities and others with more immediate and acute needs, thank you so much for doing so.

I’m looking forward to an unusually quiet and contemplative 2020 PMC (although COVID-19 hasn’t been a friend to my training and fitness: all those empty shelves in the baking aisle at the grocery store – yeah, that was me – sorry). With each passing year, though I’m very appreciative of the novel and ground-breaking cancer treatments that are sparing lives, I’m deeply saddened that cancer continues to indiscriminately ravage so many friends and loved ones. So, once again I’ll be pedaling in honor of all cancer victims as a member of Team Kermit, a group that rides in memory of the team leader’s son, Jared, who died at the age of 23 after a heartbreaking 2½-year battle with brain and spinal cancer.

Thank you so much for your consideration, and I hope that you, your family and friends are safe and well.