Hi Friends & Family,

Back in the saddle again! Over the past few months I have been training again for riding another PMC (although not nearly enough as in years past due to rain and heat!). I am psyched to be back riding for this amazing cause to help fight cancer.  And, this will be my 14th year riding! (boy do I feel my age catching up with me more than ever this year between my knee and my back, this is not getting easier to ride all the miles, but it doesn't even compare to battling cancer so I will rally through)!

The PMC, (the Pan-Mass Challenge) is an annual bike-a-thon that today raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. The PMC has since raised $900 million, since it began in 1980, for adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) through the Jimmy Fund. One stat I found astonishing is, back in 1980 there were fewer than five million cancer survivors in the world, and today, there are more than seventeen million, a result of the advancements in treatment & research - many of which were developed at Dana-Farber! And many of these efforts could not be achieved without your generosity. If you know me, you know I hate asking for donations but in order to fulfill my fundraising goal for this year's ride, and keeping the PMC goal in mind, I am asking for your help in raising money for this great cause.

In 2022 the PMC gave $69 million. Many of you contributed to this effort last year and in years past by supporting me and I just want to say thank you again for that! I could not have reached my fundraising goals without your help.

There are many things that I love about this ride - my friends who ride with me, my team, the volunteers, spectators, the amazing ride throughout scenic Massachusetts and most of all the cause. This event donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause. It doesn't get much better than that. I am hoping for a great ride, cool weather, awesome fans to get me over the finish line once again to help raise money to give researchers and doctors the necessary resources to find cures for all cancers!

On this coming Sunday, August this year 6th, I will be riding in my 14th Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. This year due to my schedule I am only riding one day down to Gillette Stadium and back (vs.the full 2-day PMC route I usually ride which is 162 mile bike ride that starts in Wellesley and ends in Provincetown.)   I will miss riding with my teammates and close friends but I am riding with one friend to Gillette so it will be good to have a pal to encourage each other throughout the ride!  I am very excited that the weather looks amazing for once too!

I have ridden in 13 PMC rides and each year I continue to be amazed and inspired. I, thanks to your support, have raised over $58,757! And for 9 years I had been lucky enough to help coordinate a PMC Kids Ride in our town to continue to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for cancer and teach my kids about the importance of volunteering & fundraising. I have enjoyed seeing my kids get behind this effort and begin to truly understand why we ride and raise money. In the 9 years we have run the ride, we have had over thousands of kids ride and have raised over $250,000!!

I truly need your help by sponsoring me on this ride. The minimum required per rider this year - is $2,000.  And for every mile I ride for the PMC, I am raising money to help find a cure for cancer, which has touched my life in many ways. Unfortunately I have known too many family, friends, neighbors, fellow bike team mates and colleagues who have been affected with cancer throughout the years.  This year I am riding for family members affected by cancer - my mom (skin cancer) and my Aunt Kate (liver cancer). 

I am riding this year on my local team, Team Lick Cancer with the hope that one day my kids will not have to experience dealing with cancer in any way whatsoever. In the spirit of the PMC's philosophy of success: those who commit themselves in full are those who achieve results. Any donation you can make would greatly help me achieve results for this worthy cause. Thanks so much in advance! Have a wonderful rest of your summer!

Ride on!

Sincerely,

Mary Elizabeth Lavene

To contribute:
Follow the online donate instructions or if you prefer:

via Check - please send your check payable to the

PMC - Jimmy Fund to

Mary Elizabeth Lavene

80 Alcott Street

Acton, MA 01720

My Links:

http://pmc.org/egifts/MC0117

https://www.teamlickcancer.com/