This is my 6th year riding in the PMC, and this year my funding will go directly to Bone Marrow Failure research at Dana Farber.  
 

I vividly remember growing up watching my dad ride the PMC year after year. Then I remember starting, and going to opening ceremonies listening to stories of people getting cancer, surviving cancer, being taken too early from cancer. I remember sitting in that crowd, tears in my eyes, saying I can't imagine being these families. 

It always seems like it will never be you, until it is. PMC has always been near to my heart - both my Grandmothers being affected by cancer as well as my Uncle being taken too early due to cancer 3 years ago. It was a cause I felt really strongly about, because again the pain, fight, and heartbreak seemed unimaginable. Until it wasn't. 

One year ago (June 2, 2023) my daughter and best friend Autumn was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia (Bone Marrow Failure) due to a genetic condition called Fanconi Anemia. Autumn went through high dose chemotherapy this past August and received an unrelated donor Bone Marrow Transplant at Boston Children's Hospital. Autumn, myself, and Benny have been in isolation since August. But because of research and progress in medicine at Dana Farber, Autumn is here, healthy, and happy. She has a second chance at life because of the research and medicine made possible by the funding received from organizations like the Pan Mass Challenge. 
 

This year is my most meaningful ride yet - I ride this year for my daughter Autumn Grace. She is quite literally the strongest person I know and I couldn't be more proud to be her mom and riding in honor of her. I know the challenges she has faced head on this year, and I know due to Fanconi Anemia being incurable the challenges that lay ahead for us. Let's go TEAM AUTUMN!