TEAM CTB is back! For those that are unfamiliar with Charlies story: After an 8 month battle with a rare form of cancer, my grandson Charlie showed us how important it is to never take a moment you can love someone for granted.

In 2021, Team Charlie Thomas Balzano (CTB) was put together by Kate and Tom Balzano in memory of their son who was born with terminal cancer. Charlie was treated at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic during his short, 8-month life. Without the advanced therapies and treatments available at Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber, we would not have had those precious 8 months with him, which is why all funds raised are directed to pediatric cancer research and programs to support families.

Team CTB raised $59,207.84 last year to support genetic mutation risk research among other research programs at Boston Children’s Hospital. It also supports and funds various programs, like the Dana-Farber Bereavement Program, Infant and Toddler Multidisciplinary Care, and the Pediatric Advanced Care Program, which focus on care specific for pediatric oncology patients and supporting families who have experienced loss.

Kate and Tom have directly benefited from the programs available to families throughout their son’s treatment and know that it would not be possible without the generous donations from the community. This year, Team CTB’s goal is to raise $70,000. When thinking of how you could make an impact, please consider donating to support all current and future families impacted by cancer.

The PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber and is the Institute’s largest single contributor, accounting for more than 55 percent of the annual revenue at The Jimmy Fund®. In 2021 alone, the PMC raised a record-breaking $64 million, bringing its 42-year contribution to Dana-Farber to $831 million.

Thank you for your support and generosity!