This is a very special year for myself and for PMC in 2024. In my 8th year of riding, with setting a goal of $15k, I'll hit a $100k overall fundraising total! This is wild to think of as I can recall being afraid of raising $5k my first year back in 2017. I'm better trained this year and thrilled to get back on the bike for the 164-mile route in over two days from Wellesley to Provincetown.
Beyond my own $100k goal, PMC is poised to hit 1 BILLION raised since its start in 1980. This is WILD number and happy that I can play a small contribution into that overall total.
Now a little but my story and how my family has been affected by cancer:
It has been closing on THIRTEENTH years since my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. The reason I am riding is because of her and her strength. She has been incredible throughout the entire diagnosis, and I am amazed every day by her resilience and positive attitude. No matter what was happening, her faith, her smile and her laughter have never wavered. She is one of my role models and even bigger personal supporters of mine. It’s because of the way she lives her life that I want to do the best that I can in mine, and riding the PanMass Challenge to raise funds for lung cancer research at Dana Farber is one way to do that!
I am proud to be riding with Team LUNGstrong raising funds for lung cancer research at the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, affecting more people than breast, colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancers combined, and yet lung cancer research is woefully underfunded. BUT the good news is that progress is being made and Dana Farber (and specifically the Lowe Center of Thoracic Oncology) is at the forefront of lung cancer research. In the last 5 years, there have been more treatments approved by the FDA than in the previous 25 years. In almost all of these new treatments, DFCI has been part of the research process. As more research is being done on genomics and personal therapies, the more successful we will be in the fight against lung cancer and other cancers.
I'm I really hope you will join me in my commitment to raise at least $5,000 for cancer research in any amount that is doable for you. Every donation brings us closer by the mile. And remember, because every penny matters, the PMC donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber, and your donation is tax-deductible.
Team LUNGstrong is making a difference and I truly appreciate your help!
