Friends and Family,

I feel very fortunate to share with you what I consider a very exciting and meaningful challenge I will be undertaking this August. I will be participating in my second Pan-Mass Challenge ride with my friends on team Van-Guard.

Cancer has been familiar to me and part of my life since I can remember. Right after I was born, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast-cancer and we are reminded on my birthday each year how lucky we are to be together. Not a day is taken for granted. When I was in the fourth grade, I watched my close friend, and Van-Guard teammate, courageously beat Leukemia and come out the other side even stronger. However, I have also seen the terrible ways cancer can end lives far too young. Our team rides in memory of our close family friend, Van, who we lost six years ago.

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be surrounded by my family and friends. I know I am not alone in this sentiment. Cancer affects everyone, and I want to do whatever I can to help us beat this disease so we no longer have to ride in memory of our friends and family.

The PMC is a remarkable organization that has raised over $1 billion to fight cancer. Every dollar raised goes directly to cancer research at Dana Farber. Please join us in our ride this August as we tackle a journey of 192 miles. The feeling of crossing the finish line in Provincetown is the most rewarding in the world, thanks to all the donors who support us. This year I need to raise a minimum of $6,000 and any donation is greatly appreciated by not only me, but everyone affected by cancer.

Let’s do it!

Emily