Welcome to my Pan Mass Challenge ride letter. This is a milestone year for two reasons. Not only is it my 35th year of participation having started in 1987, but also the 30th anniversary of when I first rode a tandem bicycle in memory of Steven Teitelbaum. Steven was a beloved cousin who lived a remarkably full life that was cut far too short at age 15. In addition to being an exceptionally kind, engaging and good natured teenager, Steven was a natural athlete and hoped to do his first PMC with me in 2001. Instead, I captained a borrowed tandem and rode 192 miles with an empty seat behind me and a picture of Steven on my back. I did it again 10 years later in 2011 and I’ll do it again in August. May Steven’s memory always be a blessing to those who loved him.

On the home front, here’s the latest . . .

Ari, now in his 5th year teaching multivariable calculus, precalculus and geometry at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, is looking to relocate and has his eye on Austin. There’s a good chance he’ll be moving there this summer. Stay tuned! Karen and I would be happy to visit him there, especially in the winter months!

Closer to home, Annabel is now in year two of her PhD program in Science Education at BU and Adam began a new (currently remote) job on February 1st as the Manager of Government Payment Policy for Mass General Brigham. His experience with the Department of Public Health and MassHealth helped paved the way for this next big step in his career. And, Annabel bought a horse! His name is Gambit and we’ve been over to meet him in Bedford where he’s being stabled.

Karen and I miss our seasonal travel together and like all of you have done our best to adjust to socially distant living. As a courier for the National Marrow Donor Program, I am classified as an essential critical infrastructure worker and was fortunate to receive my second vaccine in February. Since the pandemic began in March of '20, I’ve had 40 domestic and 5 international airline trips. The need for stem cell and skin graft deliveries continues as does the need for platelet and blood donations. To date, I’ve given platelets 535 times, 66 gallons according to the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center.

For those of you keeping score on my injuries, after rehabbing from rotator cuff surgery during the summer/fall of ‘19, I successfully rehabbed from distal clavicle fracture surgery this past summer/fall. The plate and five screws in my shoulder don’t bother me so they’ll stay right where they are. Enough with the shoulder injuries, Mel!

PMC dollars are critical to support the world-class cancer care and additional resources that DFCI provides to patients and their families. There’s a lot riding on us and I hope you’ll support me. Thank you for donating and thanks to Karen who puts up with all my riding (and crashing).

The Pan-Mass Challenge only uses your personal information to thank you and will not share it with any other organizations.PMC donations are tax deductible and 100% will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

You can also mail a check to me at 9 Coolidge Street Brookline, MA 02446 made out to PMC-Jimmy Fund. Every donation brings us closer by the mile.

Wishing you and yours all the best. Peace to all in these most difficult times. Hang in there!

Mel