Hi all, I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer 
In just over a month, I am riding in my 4th Pan-Mass Challenge in memory of my dear friend Kirby Grochal, who passed away in May. I am missing her terribly, and am going to ride my heart out for her.
100% of the funds we raise as Kirby's Dream Team will be made available to Kirby's oncologist, to Dr. Chan at Dana Farber, who is leading research efforts against neuroendocrine tumors. Please consider a donation to fund research so we can find a cure for all those with this awful disease.
- If you're on your phone, the PMC has this nifty little Venmo flow; Venmo'ing me directly will also work
- Or click this link on any device to donate in a few other ways
- Note that the PMC is in lots of employer match programs, so take a look!
When Kirby was diagnosed five years ago, we were told she had a year to live. She fought for so much more time, with strength and gusto and a joy for life, for her family, for her friends; and we were so lucky.
I don't feel like doing the ride this year, at all. But I hope our fundraising efforts can contribute to a cure for this cancer in her honor. I will share a bit from this tribute below, and please keep Andrew, Derek, Sydney, and the rest of her family, friends, and loved ones in your hearts. Thank you so much for your support.
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Kirby Green Grochal, of Newton, MA, passed away on May 19, 2023, five years after being diagnosed with an aggressive pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. She was the loving wife of Andrew Grochal and mother to Derek and Sydney Grochal. She is also survived by her parents, Melanie and Rich Green, and her brothers, Kevin and Connor Green.
Kirby's wish is to be remembered not as a cancer patient, but as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. She will be greatly missed, but always in our loving memory as a strong, brave, fiery, hilarious, sweet, brilliant, tenacious, caring and inspiring woman who touched so many people's lives.
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- Courtney (proud member of Kirby's Dream Team)
