I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure.
I am riding for everyone fighting a battle, for every caretaker who sacrifices daily, for every survivor, and for everyone we have lost to cancer and had to say goodbye to. I lost my grandfather, James DiResta, to Colon Cancer. He was the kindest man I knew and instilled in me the importance of being kind, for you never know what battle someone fights every day. I am fighting my own battle and watching friends lose theirs. This, though, isn’t about me. It takes a village, and we will do whatever it takes. In life, there are no rewinds, just flashbacks. We must remember this. Looking back knowing we all did everything we could matters. To me, kindness is the real superpower here, and we all have it. Just people choose not to use it. Let’s change that. We can do the right thing to unite and fill people’s lives with hope. After all, cancer has touched everyone's life in some capacity. The world may change outside, but what doesn’t change is how we tell our stories, struggle, keep going, and, most of all, how we can help a community of connected people. If you can donate, cheerlead, volunteer, or ride, those are the greatest gifts you can give to this cause.
My mom, who was my biggest cheerleader, died unexpectedly on September 26, 2023. Not from cancer. However, she was a big supporter of Dena’s ride last year and told me I needed to ride with her in 2024. I made my mom many pinky promises and only broke one my whole life. I am not breaking this one; I am riding as pinky promised, as it is the solemn vow you can make. This ride is for my mom, Cindy DiResta, who was my biggest cheerleader and pushed me to never give up. If I did give up... I would have never met my best friend Luca, our new dog Pappy and my husband Andrew.
In her eulogy, I reminded everyone about our favorite word. There is a Finnish word I want you all to remember: Sisu. In Finland, it has a mystical and magical concept. It is a term that roughly translates to English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, bravery, resilience, and acting rationally in the face of adversity and pain. It is the ability to sustain courage in hard times. Sisu is within every cancer patient, caretaker, doctor, nurse, survivor, and was within those we have lost. I will ride with my inner Sisu and with the hope of getting closer to a world without cancer.
I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure.
I am riding for everyone fighting a battle, for every caretaker who sacrifices daily, for every survivor, and for everyone we have lost to cancer and had to say goodbye to. I lost my grandfather, James DiResta, to Colon Cancer. He was the kindest man I knew and instilled in me the importance of being kind, for you never know what battle someone fights every day. I am fighting my own battle and watching friends lose theirs. This, though, isn’t about me. It takes a village, and we will do whatever it takes. In life, there are no rewinds, just flashbacks. We must remember this. Looking back knowing we all did everything we could matters. To me, kindness is the real superpower here, and we all have it. Just people choose not to use it. Let’s change that. We can do the right thing to unite and fill people’s lives with hope. After all, cancer has touched everyone's life in some capacity. The world may change outside, but what doesn’t change is how we tell our stories, struggle, keep going, and, most of all, how we can help a community of connected people. If you can donate, cheerlead, volunteer, or ride, those are the greatest gifts you can give to this cause.
My mom, who was my biggest cheerleader, died unexpectedly on September 26, 2023. Not from cancer. However, she was a big supporter of Dena’s ride last year and told me I needed to ride with her in 2024. I made my mom many pinky promises and only broke one my whole life. I am not breaking this one; I am riding as pinky promised, as it is the solemn vow you can make. This ride is for my mom, Cindy DiResta, who was my biggest cheerleader and pushed me to never give up. If I did give up... I would have never met my best friend Luca, our new dog Pappy and my husband Andrew.
In her eulogy, I reminded everyone about our favorite word. There is a Finnish word I want you all to remember: Sisu. In Finland, it has a mystical and magical concept. It is a term that roughly translates to English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, bravery, resilience, and acting rationally in the face of adversity and pain. It is the ability to sustain courage in hard times. Sisu is within every cancer patient, caretaker, doctor, nurse, survivor, and was within those we have lost. I will ride with my inner Sisu and with the hope of getting closer to a world without cancer.
I have chosen to keep all of my donors' information confidential; therefore it is not displayed on my PMC public donor list.
