This August, I will be riding in my 4th Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), a bike-a-thon that raises money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, both of which focus their efforts on supporting cancer research and treatment. I have seen firsthand what an impact the proceeds of this event make for those who have been affected by cancer, and I believe in this cause and the work being done at Dana Farber more than anything!
As most of you know, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in June of 2020 and has since been a patient at Dana Farber. Though it has been a difficult last few years and there is still progress to be made, my family and I feel so thankful for the care my dad has received at Dana Farber. It is because of Dana Farber that my dad is here with us and doing as well as he is today.
I will be donating all of the proceeds from my ride to my dad’s incredible Doctor at Dana Farber, Dr. Choueiri, in order to support his ongoing research taking place to find a cure and more effective treatment for kidney cancer. Over the last few years, Dr. Choueiri has made significant progress in finding a better treatment for kidney cancer through a research study that my dad was lucky enough to be a part of. Due to the incredible success of this study, Immunotherapy in kidney cancer patients was just recently FDA approved last year!
The last two years, I have not only been riding in honor of my dad, but I have also been riding WITH my dad… While dealing with the terrible side effects that come with daily treatments, he believed in this cause so much that he put all of his pain aside to start and finish this 162 mile bike ride the last two years in a row. In 2021, he split the ride into 4 days and rode a little each day throughout a week in order to get it done and last year, he pushed through the entire ride in two days! He mirrored his battle with cancer in these rides by kicking A**, and I am so proud of his perseverance and determination!
I am looking forward to the opportunity to ride again this year in support of Dana Farber and all they have done for my dad and my family. There is still so much progress to be made on the path to curing cancer. Please consider donating to this fundamental cause, perhaps in honor of those in your own life who have been impacted by cancer. Every penny counts, and is so greatly appreciated.
Thank you endlessly for your support!
Love, Danielle
