I started watching my parents and aunts and uncles ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge 7 years ago, watching from the road, cheering for and giving high fives to all of the riders along the way. They started riding after losing my cousin from DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) exactly a year after diagnosis. Being treated by doctors at Dana-Farber, Evan never failed to put a smile on our faces whenever we got together. Being one of ten cousins who saw each other at least once a week, seeing Evan's smile was comforting, as if he wasn't sick, just his happy self.

Riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge for the first time two years ago, I came to the realization that nothing could ever sum up to the struggles Evan faced over that year. But that was the whole reason why we rode. We ride to preserve the memory of Evan. To preserve the idea that there is light beyond the darkness. That we could make a change.

Riding for the past two years, it brings a smile to my face to see families cheering for the riders, putting up signs with their stories, seeing the impact we have made to bring happiness to others. As we, as Evan's Crew, will reach $1,000,000 this year, I think of the fundraising that we, as a team, do to create that hope that no child would ever have to face the struggles Evan did. I am incredibly grateful to all of the friends and families who have donated over these past 8 years and simply could not imagine where we would be without them.

With that, I look forward to putting my party horns on my helmet and once again riding for our firework.

100% of all donations made to Team Evan's Crew will directly fund DIPG research at Dana-Farber through the Evan T. Mandeville DIPG Research Fund.