Year 2!

This summer, on the first weekend in August, I will join thousands of other cyclists to bike across the state of Massachusetts once again to fight cancer.

The Pan Mass Challenge is a 186 mile bike ride across Massachusetts that raises millions of dollars for cancer each year. Since 1980 it's raised over $900 million for cancer treatment and research at Dana Farber. My family has been involved for 10 years now: my parents started doing the PMC for my grandfather, who lost his battle against melenoma. Last summer, I was inspired to ride by my wonderful friend, Julian Miranda, who bravely won his fight against Hodgkin's Lymphoma this past year! All of the $6,600 I raised were donated directly to the team of doctors that helped treat Julian. Though my ride will always be in honor of him, this year, I'll be joining Team Lexie, alongside my dad and his friends. My dad met Lexie and her family years ago through the PMC Pedal Partner Program, and has been riding on their team ever since. She is an amazing 25 year old warrior who has been battling a brain tumor her entire life that is currently inoperable. She has pushed through surgery after surgery, treatment after treatment, and after all these years still keeps a smile on her face. She happens to make the best brownies!! All the funds I raise this year will be directed to the Pediatric Lowgrade Astrocytoma Research Fund in her honor at Dana Farber cancer institute, which is where 100% of all money raised through PMC is donated to. This research fund is looking for a cure or treatment for Lexie's specific type of brain cancer, as it is currently inoperable. With the money we raise, DFCI may be able to discover a treatment that could change Lexie's life forever. For more information on Lexie, please visit Team Lexie's page on the PMC site.

I am so grateful for all of the support I recieved last summer, and hope that this summer, once again, you'll consider supporting the fight against cancer. My goal is to raise $6000 by PMC weekend, which is August 3rd and 4th this year. On Saturday the 3rd I will start out in Sturbridge and bike all the way to Mass Maritime in Bourne. Sunday the 4th I will continue riding all the way to Provincetown. Please consider helping us fight cancer and find a cure for Lexie. Every penny counts!!! Anything is appreciated :)

If the battle to end cancer has affected your family or a loved one, please feel free to dedicate your donation to whichever warrior inspires you to give. I would be more than happy to dedicate a ride to them.

Thank you for reading! If you have any questions please email me at emma.kelliher19@gmail.com