Dear Friends,
This August, I’m riding in my first Pan-Mass Challenge in memory of a dear friend, Wendy Horn, who lost her valliant battle with pancreatic cancer this winter.
Wendy rode 23 years in the Pan-Mass Challenge herself, as part of Team Eradicate, long before her own diagnosis. She gave to this mission, not knowing that one day the fight would become her own. This year, I ride in her honor, carrying forward her legacy of strength, spirit, and service.
Wendy was a force—fiercely athletic, independent, and endlessly inspiring. She was more than a friend but a mentor and a role model; someone I looked up to in every sense. Wendy loved hard and lived fully. She was devoted to her family, passionate about fitness, and had an inner fire that showed up in everything she did—whether it was crushing a CrossFit workout, taking on a long road ride, or pouring her heart into the people around her.
Wendy truly wanted to get to know you as a person—she asked thoughtful questions, listened with intention, and somehow always found a way to lift others up, even when she was facing her own battles. People remembered Wendy, even those who only met her for a moment. She had that rare, magnetic quality: a selfless energy, a drive that motivated you to do better, be stronger, and care deeper. She made everyone feel important, and urged eveyone to be their best self.
The PMC is more than just a bike ride—it’s a movement to support life-saving cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to that cause. When I’m out there pedaling across Massachusetts, I’ll be thinking of Wendy every mile of the way—her determination, her grit, and her love.
If you feel moved to support my ride, every donation—large or small—brings us one step closer to a world without cancer. Thank you for helping me honor Wendy’s life and continue the work she believed in.
With gratitude,
Alissa
