This will be my ninth year riding the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), and I'm asking for your support. I ride in memory of friends and family, and in support of those who continue to struggle through their battles with cancer.
This year I'm riding again with Team Nathan. Nathan Hecker, the 16 year old son of my friends and neighbors Evan and Cara Hecker, was diagnosed with a brain tumor (Pediatric Low Grade Glioma - LGG) when he was four years old. He went through several grueling surgeries and chemotherapy, and by the time he finished treatment had to re-learn how to walk, run, catch a ball, write left handed, and try to live like a normal kid.
Nathan's parents pledged that they would do everything possible to ensure that if his tumor ever grew again, he’d have access to state of the art trials, cutting edge science, and better treatment options. They began supporting research that targets the most-common mutation found in these tumors, the BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion mutation. This work, funded almost entirely by families of kids with brain tumors, identified an adult melanoma drug, TAK580, which looked promising. For the last several years, they worked with family and friends to fund a $1.6 million clinical trial.
Nathan was the first kid enrolled in this trial and his tumer has since been stable. He's playing baseball, going to highschool, and having a more normal life. However, this research still needs support: for Nathan and for all of the other kids who suffer from similar brain tumors. Three out of four kids like Nathan have recurrance of tumor growth, requiring more surgeries and chemotherapy. THEY ARE WHY WE RIDE!
Please consider supporting my PMC ride this year. The money raised goes directly to the Team Nathan Fund, which helps to support Dana Farber’s groundbreaking pediatric brain tumor research program.
Donations of any amount are accepted. Please help me reach my goal of $6,000.
Fund Name: The Team Nathan Fund
Account Code: 9618809
