A friend recently asked me if I was riding the PMC again this year. My reply was “yes”! My friend then asked if I wouldn’t mind riding a bit harder and confided in me their recent struggle with undergoing cancer treatment at Dana Farber in Boston. I was speechless. Cancer does not discriminate. It does not just happen to someone else. We all know someone who is facing or has faced the challenge of fighting this dreaded disease. My friend’s battle has only reinforced my commitment to the Pan Mass Challenge and its goal of defeating cancer.

In August of 2017 I rode in my third Pan Mass Challenge and I was once again blessed to complete the 200-mile ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown and raise over $10,000 thanks to many of you. There were over 6,300 riders along with 4,500+ volunteers and over $51 million for Dana Farber Cancer Institute was raised. During the past 38 years, the Pan Mass Challenge has contributed $598 million to Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

As I prepare to ride in my fourth PMC ride, I realize there are an endless number of charitable causes looking for our support, all of which are just as important as the PMC ride. To my family and friends, your generosity in supporting my rides for the battle against cancer humbles me. I will be riding with my cousin Chris again, who is riding his 10th PMC, and continues to be an inspiration to all.

As I have written in my previous messages: Think of the worst day you recently had at work or at school, or how your kids were acting up, or the disagreement you had with your spouse, or all of the above, and then think of that adult at Dana Farber or the child at Children’s Hospital who went through another round of chemo, and ask yourself “What kind of day is he or she having?”

Please consider supporting my ride in this year’s Pan Mass Challenge.

Thank you and God bless.

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Continuing the ride in memory of:

Billy ~ A cousin whose faith and strength inspired all

George ~ A cousin whose unique insight always brought laughter

Hope ~ A friend who made everyone smile and kept you honest

Jimmy ~ A good friend “Jubee’s” brother

Theo Jimmy ~ An uncle who believed there was good in everyone