Dear friends and family,
This year I rode my 12th Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) to support the Dana Faber Cancer Institute (DFCI). After a gap in 2020 due to the Covid epidemic, I was excited to restart this process for this truly meaningful cause. Cancer continued to impact the lives of many people, even in 2020. The reduced fundraising last year has made it more important than ever to have a successful 2021 and keep this event going into the future. The PMC ride has become part of my life. I am totally committed to fundraising for cancer. I’ve heard firsthand from doctors what our money has done to help eradicate and treat this disease. It’s because of all of you. I will not stop fighting and I hope you will continue to support me.
As each year passes, more people I know have been affected. I’m always hearing of new sad stories: someone’s sister, brother, mother, neighbor. Cancer is a disease I’ve seen firsthand that has taken those close to me and, at one point, directly impacted my health. Every mile I rode, I thought of those who no longer can.
It’s up to us to make a difference in these peoples’ lives. We can help provide the funding necessary for drug development, research and patient care. I started riding the PMC when my brother-in-law Todd was sick with pancreatic cancer. After he died, I made it my mission to fight this disease. Subsequently I also had cancer but was cured through surgery and treatment. I am the lucky one.
I continue to ride for the Patriot Platelet Peddler’s, which supports research to find treatment and cures for multiple myeloma under Dr. Anderson at DFCI. Dr. Anderson is a world-renowned oncologist who has developed lifesaving treatment for this once incurable disease.
The DFCI is an amazing hospital and research center for cancer. The research that they do is remarkable. Everyday there are new discoveries and advancements of treatments and cures. But still 1,500 people in the U.S. die of cancer every day. More research needs to be done. There must be better care for families stricken with this disease. So much needs to be done. Too many people are sick and too many people are dying.
The PMC is New England’s largest cancer fundraiser in New England. All the money raised goes to the Jimmy Fund and the Dana Faber Cancer Institute. I make a commitment every year to raise funds. If everyone helped, there will be a cure for this horrible disease. Please help me in my effort and support me.
Please sponsor me soon! The deadline is September 2021. There are two ways to provide sponsorship:
1) Go to the PMC Website http://www2.pmc.org/profile/ds0268
2) Mail a check to me to 129 Beach St, Sharon Ma 02067 made payable to the “PMC”. All donations, no matter how small, make a difference. For those who have already sponsored me, I am truly grateful for your contribution.
Thank You!
Deborah Rae (Shostek)
