Not everyone survives cancer. I did, with very effective surgery at Dana Farber over 17 years ago. But too many others do not, including my friend Alan Mugford.

Alan came into my life over eight years ago and became my best friend. He had been battling multiple myeloma before we met, but he did not know that. He thought he just had back pain. My associate and I helped him get health insurance to address this. That is when he learned he had cancer.

He had the best care and best medicine, with help from Dana Farber. But this cancer was the kind that can beat down even the strongest.

I ride to honor his battle, to support others fighting now, and to help fund research to find new treatments so more will survive. I ride in Alan’s memory and in honor of those still fighting, including our Team THANKS Captain who has had successfull treatments!