The top of the mountain is nothing without the climb.

The first time I was brave enough to jump on a road bike, I was in the middle of cancer treatment.

I had been diagnosed with aggressive ductal carcinoma on March 15th, 2013 and I was hearing surgeons and oncologists say things to me like We'll do everything we can. I had a 3-year old son, whom I was desperate to potty train and all of a sudden was I facing a battle for my life.

After 4 months of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, I underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery and then launch into months more of adjuvant chemotherapy and targeted therapy infusions. I was extremely weak from treatment but I knew I had to do something on my own to reclaim my power and claw my way back to sure footing. So as terrified as I was of skinny tires, at the behest of a friend, I started riding a road bike.

After all, I figured, I didn't have much to loose. I clipped into pedals for the first time one day in May of 2014 and never looked back. Even though my body was wrecked from months of chemo and surgery and averaged just 12mph that ride, the bike gave me freedom and hope and riding it was the most pleasure I had experienced in years. I had no idea at the time, that cycling would grow into a passion and that passion would morph into a lifestyle.

To this day, I credit that steel 10-speed LeMond with saving my life and I have wanted to ride the Pan Mass Challenge ever since.

So in 2016 I was finally done with treatment and feeling strong enough to look a century ride in the face, I signed up for the PMC, excited to ride with my brother and sister cancer warriors.

But here's the kicker - as soon after I registered to ride my bike across Massachusetts, I was sidelined with a new diagnosis of cervical cancer. I had to quit even before I started.

That year I spent little time on the bike and lots of time healing from a full hysterectomy. I felt embarrassed by the second cancer diagnosis, like somehow I had failed to be the warrior I had identified as, and told only a select few people I even HAD a second cancer. It was over quickly, with just the operation...but it left me infertile and consequently beref; incredibly sad and in overnight menopause. I was 36 and I was shaken. As a result, I had a little more work to do. I needed to figure out who I was as a woman, with few biologically identifiable female organs and re-ground my sense of self. The PMC had to wait.

So, even though I have been a part of the cancer fundraising community for the last 9 years, this year- 2022 - will be my first time riding in the PMC and I am THRILLED! My adventure with cancer was a wild and crazy ride. I am forever grateful for all the people who helped me get to the other side, so this small thing; fundraising and these few hundred miles on my bike are the very least I can do to push forward the kindness.

For whom do I ride?

Having been active in the cancer community for almost a decade now, there are many people I hold close to my heart each and every time I ride but this year, I am riding in memory of my fellow Nantucketer Karli Stahl, I urge you to read Karli's story in N Magazine, here.

How to help...

Please help me support the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with a contribution of any amount. I have a lofty goal of $20,000, but with your support, I know I can achieve it. TO DONATE: Please make a donation through this Boston Bruins Foundation RunSignUp Page here. ***The Boston Bruins Foundation does their fundraising differently than all other riders but ALL of the money does go back to Dana Farber!

With all my gratitude & thanks,

Caitlin