2017 was supposed to be my first Pan Mass Challenge. Having completed a dozen 100 mile plus rides and participated in the American Cancer Society’s Bicycles Battling Cancer five times, I was looking forward to the challenge of riding 192 miles over two days and raising a boatload of money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Things didn’t work out the way I planned.

During a May training ride I had a traumatic bicycle accident suffering a concussion, pneumothorax, fractured shoulder blade and six fractured ribs. I lost seven weeks of training time and couldn’t make up for the lost miles. Instead I volunteered the weekend of the event as part of the Transportation Crew picking up riders who needed a lift. It was an amazing experience hearing the stories these people shared on why they were riding.

Why do I ride? I ride because I am thankful my family has been kept safe from cancer. I ride in the hope that my efforts will be rewarded and continue to keep them healthy. I ride in support of people battling cancer, in honor of those who survived and in memory of those who succumbed. I ride because my fundraising will make a difference. I ride because I can!

My goal is to complete 192 miles over two days (having no cycling accidents in the process.) I also have my sights set on raising $7,500 that will go towards cancer research and treatment at one of the foremost cancer research institutes in the world. Having picked up many riders who struggled last year, I know it will be quite a bit of work to get in shape and complete the ride. I’ll do the hard work. I hope you’ll reach into your wallet, pull out a credit card and makes as big a donation as you can. Cancer sucks! Let’s both do our part to eradicate this disease. Please help in any way you can.

Thank you.