Dear Family and Friends,
It’s been 2 years since I last rode in the Pan-Mass Challenge. My first PMC ride was in 2003 and I rode for another 5 years. The next 2 years I volunteered. I rode in 2016 for my 7th ride. It's the 40th year for the PMC and I had to join in for this milestone year!.
Many of you already know my story. This year marks 33 years since I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was 12 and after surgery and radiation therapy, my life went back to normal. I was too young to understand how lucky I was. I remember my radiologist had never seen a case like mine, it occurs in less than 1% of ovarian tumors. I decided I wasn’t going to sit on the sidelines any more. I wanted to do more. I am sharing my story and giving encouraging words whenever and wherever I can. I helped distribute ovarian cancer symptom cards and ribbons at the NY State Fair the last several years. Here are some outstanding statistics:
- Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancers in the United States
- It’s 5th leading cause of cancer death among American Women
- Approximately 20,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year
- Approximately 15,000 women die of ovarian cancer
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are very vague; making it difficult to diagnose. Only 19% of ovarian cancers are caught before cancer has spread beyond the ovary to the pelvic region. When it is detected and treated early, the five-year survival rate is greater than 92%.
You may wonder why the PMC is so special. Why do 5000+ riders keep returning and keep asking friends and family to support them? The PMC raises money for adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston through the Jimmy Fund. The PMC is Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, raising more than 50 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. Also, there are multiple videos posted on YouTube that really show the inspiration and heart of the PMC. Search for Pan-Massachusetts Challenge user and they have uploaded several videos. My favorite is Love, Love, Love the PMC. Everyone has a story and personal connection to someone with cancer.
Even though I wasn’t treated in Boston at DFCI, they have an cancer center that diagnoses and treats women with cancer, including ovarian. And that’s not all, DFCI has researchers searching for a cure for cancer. 100% of the PMC raised dollars go directly to the Jimmy Fund and DFCI. The PMC is a worthy organization and it is continuing to grow in every area, riders, and volunteers and most importantly in the donation to the Jimmy Fund.
Growth:
|
YEARS
|
RIDERS
|
VOLUNTEERS
|
DONATION
|
|
1980 - 1989
|
4,969
|
1,778
|
$3,665,800
|
|
1990 - 1999
|
16,668
|
11,921
|
$38,750,000
|
|
2000 - 2012
|
55,329
|
31,825
|
$332,584,200
|
|
2013
|
5,533
|
3,300
|
$39,000,000
|
|
2014
|
5,500
|
3,300
|
$41,000,000
|
|
2015
|
6,000
|
4,000
|
$45,000,000
|
|
39 Year Total
|
112,264
|
68.044
|
$6540,000,000
|
Please help me in my goal of $5,000. Thank you, in advance, for joining the fight! Your tax-deductible (The PMC's tax ID or EIN number is 04-2746912) check can be made payable to PMC/Jimmy Fund and mailed back to me. You can also contribute online at: http://profile.pmc.org/BV0013.
Thank you for you help.
Brenda Van Duser
7791 Devaul Rd
Kirkville, NY 13082
315-750-8181
