I am riding the PMC this year for the 17th time, and I hope that you would like to support this worthy cause!

When I first did the ride in 2008, I was remembering my Dad, Alex Brams, who had died of mesothelioma earlier that year. Since that time, I have done the ride 16 times in support of family, friends and colleagues who have battled cancer – including my partner at Lahey, Dr. Larry Munson, who was successfully treated at for Lymphoma. Larry is living proof of the value of the research done at Dana Farber Cancer Center.

This year I am again riding in remembrance of 2 close friends, Mark O’Friel and Todd Shuster.

Todd was an Oncologist at Lahey for many years. He then led oncology research at Parexel. He was an incredible physician and a truly wonderful friend and colleague. His wife and daughters are cherished friends. After a long battle with cancer, he passed just over 2 years ago. He is missed by everyone whose life he touched.

Mark O’Friel was my college roommate and friend for over 40 years. He and I rode the PMC after my father died in 2008 and 2009. He then got Leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome and had a successful bone marrow transplant after chemotherapy. We rode the PMC together again in 2015 and 2016! He was living proof of the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Mark had 11 great years, but unfortunately he developed an aggressive squamous cell carcinoma. He courageously went through 2 operations, chemo and radiation, but passed away in April 2024 with his friends and family at his side.

I miss them both.

All of us know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. It may have been a parent or a family member, a friend or a coworker, or perhaps we ourselves have been afflicted. I ask you to make a donation of any size in honor and in memory of Mark and Todd or in honor of a friend, a family member or colleague who has battled this disease.

All money raised by the Pan Mass Challenge is contributed to the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), and last year's gift to the Jimmy Fund represented 100% of every donation. The money that I raise will go to the labs of Dr. Matthew Meyerson and Dr. James Cleary. Matthew is a close friend and helped direct Mark to the right specialist to treat his disease, and Dr. Cleary cared for Todd.

Please let me know if there is a name that you would like me to carry and to be remembered and honored during my ride. Their names will join those of my dad, Todd and Mark and my friends and family who have had cancer or who are currently fighting their own battles with this terrible disease.

Thank you for your consideration and I really appreciate your support of this worthy cause!

Dave