On August 2-3, I will be riding my bike 186 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown to raise funds for cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. My goal is to raise $15,000 to equal what I raised last year in my first PMC. Just like last year, whatever I raise will be matched by the Warren Alpert Foundation, thanks to a grant received by Team Crank (my team of local riders).  All contributions made through me will go to the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Cancer Research at Dana-Farber, the same program where the $436,000 that I have raised over my 25 years of running the Boston Marathon plus my first PMC last year have gone to. 

Whether I am running or biking, my motivation to do what I can to help eliminate cancer from our world remains as strong as ever. When I first joined the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team in 1998, my brother Jack was receiving treatments and exceptional care at Dana-Farber. Although Jack lost his battle with cancer that year, his fun-loving spirit and zest for life had a positive impact on everyone who knew him. In the years since then, my Dad and my Uncle Bud and my father-in-law Bob, and a growing list of extended family members and dear friends have lost their battles with cancer. And last September my Mom died of acute myeloid leukemia only seven weeks after being diagnosed. We are so fortunate that she lived a full and wonderful life of 90 years, but her passing has certainly left a void in our lives and has only increased my desire to support the efforts of the world-class team at Dana-Farber to defeat cancer. 

I know that the funds we raise and the research being done is making a difference. It has been encouraging to continue hearing about the accelerated pace of discovery and all the amazing work being done by the brilliant scientists and doctors at Dana-Farber, but there is still much more to do to achieve a world without cancer. I hope you will once again support my efforts to help eliminate cancer from our lives. I am proud to be able to join the PMC ride in support of this cause, and I greatly appreciate your support!