I’ll be participating as a FIRST YEAR – REIMAGINED RIDER this year in August alongside my mom (Karen Jenkins) and two aunts (Christine Smith and Claire Draper) with Team Stuie - in honor of my grandfather Jeff “Gramps” Temple. My “Gramps” rode in the PMC for close to 10 years and HE is the reason I am riding and adding to his legacy of riding over 60 miles in Seacoast NH/ME in support of Dana Farber Cancer Research Institute and the “Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology”.
In 2016, my grandpa was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and since then he has celebrated his 81st birthday, walked me down the aisle at my wedding in October 2023, moved more than his fare share of times, all the while continuing to uplift, believe, guide and inspire me every step of the way! I love you Gramps!
Growing up, every August I would always join my grandmother Rita in welcoming my grandpa home from his PMC ride – he would come in on the Provincetown ferry and we would make huge signs that read “Congratulations Gramps” and “PMC Strong”! I always knew that someday I would want to ride in honor of my grandpa, and this year it is happening for real!
Any contribution you can make toward my PMC ride this August would be deeply appreciated – as 100% of donations go directly toward furthering cancer research at Dana Farber in Boston, MA. Since its founding in 1980, PMC riders like my grandpa, my aunts, and my mom have raised more than $1 billion for lifesaving cancer research, treatment and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, one of the country's top cancer care hospitals.
From the bottom of my heart – thank you for taking the time to read my story, why I ride and for donating to my PMC fundraising – your kindness is profound.
All the love,
Emily (PMC Rider – Year 1)
