May 28, 2018:

To My Family, Friends and all those battling cancer,

2018 marks my 20th consecutive Pan-Mass Challenge to continue the fight against cancer by raising money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This year I will again be riding for the 19th time with my brother Pete, for the 6th time with my good friend Patrick Booth, and for the first time with Pat’s daughter Lauren.

This year’s ride has a very timely and direct impact, and I am using words from Patrick’s PMC letter to explain what his wife, and Lauren’s Mom, Carol Booth, is waging a war against right now:

“… this year the letter is the hardest one I have ever written. As many of you know Carol was diagnosed with Leukemia this past September. From the day we received the news it has been a long and twisting road with a variety of treatments. This past April someone in the world took the selfless act to donate bone marrow for Carol.  Carol received this transplant at Dana Farber in April. This person wherever they are and whomever they are has my undying love, respect and gratitude. He has provided us with HOPE. I cannot express to you how much the simple word means to us at this time.

Most of you reading this letter know Carol and her spirit. It has been amazing and unwavering during this time. I thank God, every day that I was so lucky to find her and wonder how on earth in a moment of weakness she agreed to marry me. My wish through this process is that we can help provide HOPE to others facing this horrible disease through supporting the PMC.”

We have formed a riding team for Carol Booth called CaroBoo Cruisers. All of our fundraising will go directly to the bone marrow transplant team and their research at Dana Farber to support the work of those providing such great care to Carol and providing hope to so many.

The 2017 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge contributed $51 million to adult and pediatric cancer research and care at Dana Farber, with the PMC again donating 100% of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause.

For 19 years you have all provided $65,000 in donations and I am asking for all of your support.  I must raise $5,000 and hope to raise much more.  There is no donation too small.  I receive $5-to-$500 donations, and every dollar counts! This year we ride for Carol, and as always I ride for the names you continue to send me for my bike jersey. For both of my parents and both of Kathy's parents, for relatives, for friends, and former co-workers. Please send me your names of those fighting or having fought, and they will be with me in August on the ride.  Please donate what you can, and matching gifts from employer can double your impact.

I am blessed to have friends and family like you that have provided support for the PMC and I ask for that continued support for my 2018 Ride.

How to donate:

Online donations can be made here on my profile page at: http://www.pmc.org/profile/PV0007

…..or……

By mail, you can send a check payable to PMC-Jimmy Fund to:

Paul Vitello 15704-7, Pan-Mass Challenge, PO Box 415590, Boston, MA 02241-5590

Many Thanks!

Paul & Kathy Vitello

Please call anytime, 941-525-8237

Please email me any names you want added to my bike jersey at veal62@aol.com or veal62@gmail.com.