I ride the PMC in memory of my mom, Toby Berman. My mom lived with cancer for over 14 years. She fought the disease with grace and tenacity.

When my mother had her breast removed, I arrived home from college to visit her in the hospital. When I got to the hospital, she was sitting on a chair reading a newspaper, and my father was on the bed! Another time, upon seeing a young boy who did not want to take off his cap because he was bald from chemotherapy, she lifted her wig and showed him her own bald head and said I'm bald too! These are examples of my mother's approach to fighting this disease and to life in general. She was more concerned with others than for herself.

During the time of her illness, she saw all of her children marry, and the birth of six out of her seven grandchildren. Our third son is named Daniel Toby in her honor. This past year we lost close friend and team member, Tom Zierk, to cancer. He lived a life full of family, friends, travel and adventure. He will be missed. Tom's passing is a reminder of how much work there is left to do in fighting cancer.

This year will be my thirty seventh year raising funds for the PMC. I formed Toby's Team in 1994 in honor of my mother. When I began riding the PMC in 1988, I was not a cyclist. I took on this challenge because the pain of two days of hard riding is nothing compared to the pain of the many fighting this terrible disease. In this small way I have personally raised over $330,000 to help in the fight against cancer. My team has raised over 2.59 million dollars!

Small acts over time can change the world. Please join me in fighting cancer by making a donation to the PMC in support of Toby's Team.

Bill Berman