THE PAN MASS CHALLENGE: PLEASE SUPPORT ME IN MY GOAL TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE

PMC 2020:  My 8th year riding!

Dear Family and Friends.

I want to thank you for all your past support of my Pan-Mass Challenge ride. With your generous donations, I have raised $44,675.75 for lung cancer research over the past 7 years and my Team LUNGSTRONG has collectively raised close to $3.5 million!!!  The money has gone a long way to extend the lives of lung cancer patients everywhere, including my good friend and team captain Diane Legg who is a 15-year lung cancer survivor (living with stage IV lung cancer), thanks to Dana Farber Cancer Institutes’ clinical trials, funded in part by LUNGSTRONG.  (Note:  only 18% of people diagnosed with lung cancer live more than 5 years). The great news…there has been more progress in lung cancer research in the past 5 years than there has been in the last 30!  Together, we are all making a difference

Whoever thought we would experience a life-changing pandemic in our lifetime?  Because of COVID19, the traditional PMC ride will not be taking place in Massachusetts this year.  I will be turning 60 in a few months, so my goal this year was to do my first century ride from Sturbridge to Bourne – a one-day, 109 mile-ride.  We have been asked to “reimagine” our ride, so I will be riding my “century ride” on August 7th, up the Seacoast of NH, with my wingmen (aka drafters) Darrin King and John Fouhy, while continuing to raise money for Dana Farber.

I realize that COVID 19 has impacted many people emotionally and financially.  With this in mind, I am asking only 20 family members and friends to contribute $50 towards my ride and you are one of them! These donations will raise $1,000.00.  Since I do not have the expenses I normally would during PMC weekend, Dave and I will donate $1,000.00 towards my ride in honor of your gift.  Bob and Jennifer Grunbeck have graciously agreed to match our donation, as has CMS technology.

If this is not a year you can give, don’t worry…there will be other opportunities next year.  As in years past, I will be riding with the names of those who have died or are living with cancer on my helmet ribbons.  If you would like to add a name to my ribbons, please send me an email at bgrunbeck@gmail.org.  If you would like to sponsor me, the link to my fundraising page is:  https://donate.pmc.org/AG0190;  If you prefer to donate by check, mail it to Alberta Grunbeck, 16 Birchmeadow Road, Amesbury, MA 01913.  I will be accepting donations until September 30th.

Some history for you:

1. This year team LUNGSTRONG has 116 riders –our largest team yet – 30 are first time riders! So please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers as we separate this year to ride in small groups while we practice social distancing.
2. The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country - $717 million since 1980 and $63 million last year alone – 100% of your donation goes to Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
3. This is my 8th PMC ride and my first every century ride – 100+ miles in one day…YIKES!!!

Thank you for your continued support – together we are “closer by the mile”.

Be Well and Stay Safe!

With love & appreciation,

Berta