Dear Family and Friends,

On the heels of running the Boston Marathon for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in April of this year, I am pivoting to the bicycle! This weekend, I will be riding 162 miles over 2 days to raise money for pediatric cancer. Why am I logging more miles? Because I am so very invested in the mission of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and so strongly believe that we are on the road to progress. I can see this evolution every day: in the patients and families I meet, in the approach we take in crafting their treatment, in our day-to-day learning at institutional and national and international conferences, in the research resulting from our laboratories, and in the beautifully collaborative relationships we continue to foster.

I truly love the patients and families I meet. Each child is so very brilliant and special. And each new diagnosis is an opportunity to do better. On this, my 9th year riding the Pan Mass Challenge, I will bike 162 miles in two days. I captain Team Perspective, an extraordinary team comprised of friends, patients, families, and providers. I love them and I love our mission. I am very fortunate to split my career seeing patients, leading our Pediatric Solid Tumor Program as Clinical Director, and focusing on novel immunotherapies intended to treat difficult-to-cure solid tumors. While my core clinical focus is the cure of patients with pediatric tumors, my current work is heavily invested in identifying a ubiquitous means by which to leverage the immune system across solid tumors, adult tumors included. There has always existed a natural divide between pediatric and solid tumors – different tumors, different disease pathophysiology. However, the study of pediatric solid tumors, which by definition are less genetically complex and seemingly more immunologically silent, serves as a unique paradigm for the study of adult tumors. Our current work on the use of antibody therapy to stimulate the intra-tumoral immune environment is an exciting means by which to realize these goals.

But we need your support. Every single dollar is unbelievably meaningful. I cannot express to you the appreciation I have felt year-over-year as you continue to support this goal. My personal goal this year is to raise $10,000. $10,000! I know I ask a lot of you all; but I am so very grateful for your selfless contributions and very motivated to continue to make progress.

We all know someone diagnosed with cancer; please help us move the needle forward. Thank you so very much.

http://pmc.org/egifts/AO0061

With love,
Alli O’Neill