I am riding in the PMC for the first time this year to support the battle against cancer. Although I was not alive when my grandfather Petros Palandjian passed away from stomach cancer in 1996, I wish to ride in his memory and to also to honor my dad, grandma, and uncles' strength during his passing.

This year, I will be riding with my dad/best friend, who is the true inspirer for my love of cycling. Over time the occasional ride with dad has turned into frequent expeditions all over the place into the wild, to races and on the road. He cheered me on when I biked my first hill when I was ten, and now I hope to cheer him on with the same enthusiasm on August 6th (which just so happens to be Dad's birthday!). We have done many epic rides together, and I know this PMC race will be another special memory I will not forget. I look forward to honoring the fighters, to supporting the cause, biking because I love it, and bonding with the kindest, most loving dad I could ever ask for.