Dear Family and Friends:

I will be riding this summer in my 8th Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) Ride to raise money for cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston. The PMC is an annual bike-a-thon that joins more than 6,200 riders on the first weekend in August for a common cause. 100% of your donation goes to the DFCI.

Every year I report on stories of patients or family with cancer that inspire me to keep riding. This year it's a bit different. Some of you know this past winter I was diagnosed and treated for tongue cancer. Fortunately, it was superficial and treated. I do require very close follow up. I was fortunate to come in contact with incredible individuals that helped me - nurses, radiologists, surgeons, oncologists, phlebotomists, IV nurses, x-ray technicians, secretaries, medical assistants, dietary assistants in the hospital, custodians. So many professionals that provide critical aspects of care in their individual areas. It is an incredible team effort. The support and words of encouragement from family, friends, and colleagues at work was so incredibly meaningful and helpful. Most importantly, my immediate family was and is so supportive.

This experience made me more keenly aware of the patient experience - how one individual within a patient care team can really make a difference. Your support is critical for patients to continue to receive outstanding care and to continue efforts to eradicate all forms of cancer. If not cure, many cancers can be managed as if they were chronic diseases like high blood pressure or diabetes. People are living longer. There is incredible hope. These successes are not possible without your support. Your support goes directly to ground-breaking research that helps better understand cancers and helps find cures.

Please give what you can. Any amount makes a big difference.

Thank you so much for your support.

Laurence