Why I Ride ...
My name is Beth-Ann Lesnikoski. I am a Breast Cancer surgeon in Florida and Boston. While I am still on staff at Dana Farber and Brigham & Women's Hospital, I have moved my my clinical practice to JFK Medical Center in Palm Beach County, Florida. We are building collaborative plastic surgery programs with Brigham & Women's to bring the full array of Breast Reconstruction options to the women of South Florida.
This year, I have decided to really go all out for the Pan-Mass Challenge this year. On August 1st and 2nd, I will join the WOW team to ride more 160 miles on our bikes from Wellesley to Provincetown.
Cancer touches all of us. For me, it 's not just a job. This year, I am riding in memory of my cousin Shannon, whom we lost to breast cancer. I am also riding in honor of my husband, who has faced the disease four times! I also ride in honor of my mother Betty, my father Ron, and my brother Jan, who are all cancer survivors- living proof that we are slowly winning the war against cancer. Cancer is terrible, but it also brings gifts- the gifts of knowing what matters, who loves you, whom you love, and how to appreciate a beautiful day or a powerful thunderstorm.
Every year that I ride, I ride for my family, my friends and my patients who have been touched by this disease, especially those who are actively fighting it now. Every year, I also ride in memory of Mary Randall, a patient who taught me more lessons than I can ever count. This year, I am also riding for another patient Mary, and her son Matt who was just diagnosed with plasmacytoma. I understand he's got his mom's fighting and positive attitude- and attitude copunts!
WOW stands for Women's Oncology on Wheels. The money the WOW team raises in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge goes DIRECTLY to benefit research and patient care in the Women's Cancer's Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. We have 56 riders this year.
In order to participate, I must raise at least $2500 dollars by
mid-September. I hope that you will help. All we need from you is a check or an E-Gift. It doesn't have to be a big gift- ten and twenty Dollar contributions are just as gratefully accepted!
Your tax-deductible check can be made payable to PMC/Women's Cancers Program. You can mail them to me at my home address, or care of Dr. Beth-Ann Lesnikoski, 4665 South Congress Avenue, Suite 100, Lake Worth, Florida 33461.
Alternatively you can make an E-Gift quickly and securely. Just click on E-Gift on the PMC main page (www.pmc.org). Enter my E-Gift ID BL0058. Enter my first name, last name, city (Lake Worth) and State (FL). Then just select credit type and amount.
Please consider asking your corporation for a matching gift.
If you have questions please don't hesitate to call me.
Thank you so much for your help.
Beth-Ann Lesnikoski
Lake Worth, Florida
