CANCER IN THE WORLD has not gone away. My ride is Saturday August 6th and I need everyone to please help me raise money for Dana Farber and cancer research. Every dollar donated goes straight to this worthy cause. Every dollar raised is helping someone who had cancer or has cancer to get better. Every dollar is appreciated more than you can imagine. Every dollar means we are one dollar closer to a cure. Please please help!!
It's been four years since I received the dreaded phone call. It was March of 2018 that I was driving to the gym alone and the doctors office called and delivered the news that I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. As you can imagine there are not many worse phone calls a person could receive. It is the news that changes your life forever. I was fortunate to have the support of a loving family and one of the best medical communities in the world.
I consider myself one of the luckiest human beings on the planet. Fortunately with me, my prostate cancer was detected very early, and I was able to surgically remove my prostate. Four years later I am cancer free and leading a full productive life. This is not the case for many who are diagnosed with cancer and why I feel I must do all I can personally to contribute to the battle that ravages so many families.
This PMC will be my 4th ride. This year I am blessed and so excited to be able to take on this challenge and ride side by side with my sons Josh, Harrison, Spencer, and daughter Caroline They will be there with me and all my other Biker's Dozen teammates to make sure this 61-year-old man can endure the rigors of a 90 mile bike ride. It means so much to me to have my children by my side, participating and contributing to one day finding a cure for this horrible disease.
As most people are aware during the pandemic most of the medical community and resources were focused on addressing the needs of COVID. However, during the pandemic cancer did not mysteriously disappear, and what did disappear was a tremendous amount of funding for cancer research. Now more than ever resources are needed to help battle this awful disease.
I am fortunate enough to be riding on team Biker's Dozen. The team has grown from 2 riders to 40 over the past 16 years and thankfully there are now many 2nd generation riders including my children. The Biker's Dozen is a unique team as all proceeds are directed towards finding a cure for pediatric brain tumors: specifically DIPG, (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). As of 2022, Biker's Dozen has totaled over $3.7 million dollars. Although there is no cure for DIPG, the funds Biker's Dozen has raised have helped clinical trials. It is my goal, with all your help, that I will live to see a cure for DIPG, and all forms of cancer.
The Pan Mass Challenge is a two-day long, 192 mile bike ride across the state of Massachusetts. I will be riding one day. This challenge was created in 1980 and today raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. Over the past 39 years, PMC cyclists have ridden to raise and contribute over $654 million to cancer research. 100% of your donation goes to cancer research. Your donation can make a difference in the lives of millions of people every year who develop cancer.
On August 7th, 2021 the PMC community will come together from all corners of the world with one mission: raise money for cancer research and treatment. As PMC says best, Together, we will get closer by the mile to a world without cancer. That is what a bike is meant to do.
I know I am one of the lucky ones, I wake up feeling healthy every day and that is why I am riding this year. I am able to give back in a way many people can’t. I truly appreciate any support you can give me to help this worthy cause. During the pandemic I did not aggressively fundraise. I promise you that this year will be different. We need to eradicate cancer. Every dollar matters in this battle. Please support me. I will personally match every dollar donated to my ride.
I am asking you to sponsor me in this event. Please go to the web address: http://pmc.org/egifts/BB0321. You can also send a check made payable to The Pan Mass Challenge to my home address at 32 Marant Drive, Needham, MA 02492. If you have any questions, please email me at bruce@internationalmetal.com or call me at 339-225-0008.
