This year I will be participating in the Pan-Mass Challenge - a bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. Since its founding in 1980, PMC riders have raised more than $1 billion for lifesaving cancer research, treatment and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, one of the country's top cancer care hospitals.
My sister Maddie and I will be riding with Hannah's Bandanas, a team that was created 22 years ago while my girlfriend Hannah was being treated for childhood Leukemia at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Hannah's parents, Karen and Jeff, and the incredible team of riders have raised over $5 million over the course of those 22 years. I am extremely grateful that my sister and I have been included in the group this year. Hannah and her sister Julia have been regular volunteers for many years, and last year I was able to join Hannah at the Wellfleet stop where we passed out thousands of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to hungry bikers. I was amazed by the high spirits of these riders, who bike (according to my calculations) one million miles and still maintain such a positive demeanor. It was made very clear to me that this was a cause I wanted to be involved in. As a non-biker, signing up was intimidating, but it was made easier knowing that I would have such ferocious support. Whether it be from the most genial biker gang I've seen, or the smiling faces and delicious peanut butter and jellies of Hannah, her sister Julia, and the many others who have given and continue to give their time to support such a great cause.
To give back to the teams of doctors and nurses who saved Hannah's life, and to the hospital that has contributed to the development of 35 of 75 cancer drugs recently approved by the FDA for use in cancer patients, please consider donating. Cancer sucks. The funds we raise support the innovative work of doctors, nurses, and scientists in their search for cures for cancers and related diseases. One hundred percent of every dollar I raise goes directly to Dana-Farber. Thank you for your support!!!!
