Year 3: I am honored to join Team Fitz for my third PMC ride this year (and my first as a Fitzgerald!). I am again riding--specifically for my miraculous mom as she continues to beat back both leiomyosarcoma and breast cancer.
It's hard to provide an update on just how much has happened since my mom was first diagnosed in November 2021, not only in her cancer journey but in our family's lives. As I write this in February '25, mom is currently back in chemo treatment for the sarcoma. One again, she handles the weekly routine of appointments with resilience. As she has navigated being in and out of treatment, she has also welcomed two children-in-law and her first grandchild into the family. Even in times of turbulence, blessings abound. Treatment at Dana Farber has allowed us to experience these beautiful milestones together, with her. I'm back on the bike this year because my mom, now with the new title of Annabelle's grandma, needs a cure now.
Mom found and kept a favorite sign of ours years ago that states the Gregg way of life plain: There Will Be Miracles. And that's not to say that life isn't hard, and full of unexpected turns--but that the beauty and grace of life is always there for us if we're looking for it. Since mom's diagnosis, these miracles continue to show up. One of those miracles is mom's sarcoma oncologist, Dr. Suzanne George. Dr. George is remarkable--not only because she is brilliant but because she is kind. Dr. George's research team is coming up with trials and treatments that will directly impact my mom's course of care, and that's why 100% of my dollars raised will go toward Dr. George's sarcoma research team. It's my hope that the funds raised through this ride can lead to a much-needed cure.
It's a special honor for me to ride with Team Fitz. My husband lost his father to cancer in 2007, and when I met him two years later in 2009, it was impossible to miss both Kevin A's immense love for his dad, and deep pain over losing him. One of the first things I loved about him was just how proud he was to be his father's son. I never had the chance to meet Big Kevin, and now that we have our daughter it breaks my heart even more that she didn't have the chance to be held and loved by her Papa Fitz. We keep him alive in our home with stories, photos, and through all the meticulous care Kevin puts into planning for Team Fitz every year. To know anything about Kevin Fitz is to know that he lived to help people, and that's exactly why the PMC is so special. Rider after rider peddaling with a fierce belief in the collective ability to make strides in the fight against cancer in honor and memory of everyone who has been impacted. I can't wait to get back out there.
Once you’ve personally interfaced with Dana Farber, it is impossible to not want to give back to their amazing efforts. Please consider donating to my ride so we can work toward a world without cancer.
Mama, your strength knows no bounds. Your spirit fills us all up. This is also for Aunt Chrissy, Aunt Deb, Aunt Katie, and the many others in our family and community affected by a diagnosis. This is for you.
------
If you would like to donate in honor or memory of someone special in your own life, please include their name in the notes or email to me. I will proudly add their name to a ribbon and wear it on my jersey so they're with me on my ride!
