Hi family and friends! I’m writing to you because I have decided to ride the 2020 Pan Mass Challenge. First off I would like to say thank you for everybody that helped me last year. As some of you may know I rode the PMC last year, it was an emotional roller coaster ride just like the hills that we rode up and down. There were people waving to us with smiles, then there were people with signs (kids and adults) thanking us for riding for them. At that point it was not about the ride it was about how much we can help them. That’s when I decided to ride this for a second year, this year Laura will be riding on my side. In 2013 we started a team; our team consisted of two riders. This year we are now up to five riders riding the PMC. Each rider must raise $5000, so with five riders our goals have to be high!
For those of you who don’t know what the PMC is, The Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) is a 2-day, 192 mile bike ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown. Since its inception in 1980, the PMC has raised $414 million dollars for cancer research and treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. More than 5000 cyclists are anticipated to participate this year. Last year our team raised over $10000! The event donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause.
For years, I would go down the street with Zak & Ben to cheer on the cyclists as they come through Uxbridge, not knowing the commitment it takes to ride this.Every year I tell the boys” I’m going to do this”. In the summer of 2012, Zak’s friend and teammate in baseball was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Jake is only 10 years young- this is too young. He is currently undergoing chemo and radiation, and he’s fighting hard every day. This was the motivation for me to get moving.
On August 23 1970, my Grandmother Mary (Assadoorian) Laverdiere lost her battle with cancer. I was never able to meet my grandmother. In 1997 we lost my aunt, Bobby (Sullivan) Romasco, to cervical cancer. In 2005, my uncle Mike Sullivan was diagnosed with colon cancer. He fought it and won; he is cancer free now! On July 8 1969, Judy Belliveau, the mother of my wife Laura, passed away with Hodgkin’s disease. Laura was only three years old when this disease took her mother away from her. Talking to people every day, you meet someone who has or had a close person that has been touched with cancer.
I know that I can’t stop this, but we can all try to help. Please consider helping me reach my goal! Checks can be made out to me, Pan Mass or PMC, with my rider number on it. Donations can also be made at my link on PMC (below). Remember that the PMC is a 501c3 organization so all donations are 100% tax deductible. http://www2.pmc.org/profile/EL0100
E gift# EL0100
Contributions of any size are welcome as every little bit will help. Thanks for reading and I wish you and your loved ones a healthy and Happy Year.
Eli Laverdiere
16 Storey Lane
Uxbridge, Ma 01569
I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure.
