Why I Ride ...
2009 �Strange days indeed here in 2009, and the first thought that comes to mind during these questionable economic times is how will everyone's financial state affect the main reason that we all ride in this, the 30th PMC, which is to raise money. �It's all about keeping a positive outlook and remembering that jumping high means so much more when your taking off from a slippery surface.
I have been riding a lot this year to get ready to peddle with Red Sox Team 9 once again in PMC 09, and I've really enjoyed my time out on the road lately as it is a wonderful chance to think about all that I'm thankful for. I hope that everyone can still feel that way now and then, a positive reflection even in tough times. �I hope that there are patients in hospitals around the world that can think of something that they're thankful for, a reason that their day is brighter directly due to the results of 30 years of PMC fundraising continuing to bring patients hope. I also prey that one day in my lifetime we'll have to find another cause to ride for because cancer will have been cured. Until then I'll just keep watching the wheels go round and round, and let my thoughts wander to all the things I'm thankful for.
How about you, what are you thankful for?
The surface really isn't that slippery is it.God BlessE
2008
Number 3 PMC for E coming down the pike quicker than I can possibly imagine having had my third daughter in 5 years this May. Eliza Blair Scharmer is our latest addition and with this addition the number 3 is a special # right now.
3 is a special # for last years PMC with a blow your expectations out of the water record breaking 33 Million dollar check presentation last fall. How about that schiznit!
Lost a few more close friends between then and now from their battle with cancer. I'll be riding this year with particular memories of Mrs. Anita Murphy, who when I was about 25 along with Mr. M, and The Murphy 5 siblings took me in as one of their own and have made me a part of their family ever since. I'll miss you Mrs. M, but ride we will.
So here's to thinking about our next cause to fight for with a flurry, so my 3 baby girls might live with one less worry.
Thank you all so much for the support, I couldn't do it without you.
Love to all.
E
P.S. I really have to thank all the Red Sox players wives for letting me bum a ride in there stretch hummer limo back to Wellesley last year after the ride. So thanks to Dawn Timlin, Shonda Shilling, Tifany Ortiz, Kelly Pedroia, & Kathryn Nixon, ya'll a the bomb. You know I'm not really sure how I'm getting home this year...........................?�
2007
It is amazing that almost a year has gone by since riding my first PMC, what an incredible experience it was, I can't wait for this year. Not a day has gone by between then and now that I haven't thought about how much that event means to people like my late friend Tom Provo of Vail, CO who lost his battle in the December following last years ride. I miss him.
Working with NESN as often as I do I find myself shooting stories at The Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber, Childrens Hospital, and many of Boston's great medical institutions. Being there is always bitter sweet, the sadness I feel for the families contrasted by the awe I feel for our medical professionals and all they do. Ultimately however the feeling that sticks in my mind after the shoot is over is the look of confidence in a child's eye that they are being cared for, and that people truly are doing everything that can be done and people really deeply care about them.
It's so important to be able to continue to spark that look in each patients eye, and back up the confidence they have in us in their time of need. I'll be riding for and with the memory of my friend Tom Provo, I hope that you can find a way to help in any way you can. A cure is within our reach and this event is so important to keep the research steamrolling towards that goal.
Thank you to everyone who made a contribution last year and even to those who were unable (there are so many great causes out there, it's hard to keep up), anyway thanks for putting up with the solicitation. I wish you all well.
Thanks,
E�
2006
Last year while Jayme Parker and I were covering the Red Sox Team Nine over the two day event for NESN's Sportsdesk I was so inspired. Standing through the sunroof of my VW Jetta with Parker at the helm, I looked through the viewfinder of my camera and got a sense of what this event was really all about.
The poetry of riders on open roads breathing hard and working it with some social time on the side, all to benefit a cause that touches each of us. I thought to myself this is cool, not only is it a beauitful route but the volunteers that keep this whole thing running so smoothly are as excited as the riders.
To keep a short story short, on day two of the event having spoken with Team Nine riders on numerous stops along the way to chart their progress, it was team captain Stacey Lucchino who invited me to ride in this years event. I had no hesitation in accepting Stacey's gracious offer to be part of Team Nine.
So thanks to my good freinds Tom and Doug at Orleans Cycle I got hooked up with a sweet Specialized road bike and have been out on the backroads working all 27 speeds. So please if you can help me to reach my goal in my first Pan Mass Challenge I would be so grateful. Or if you choose to help in another way that would be great to. Either way let's push the envelope and set a new record of 24 million dollars, together we can win the fight against cancer.
I would also like to dedicate my ride to Vail, Colorado's own Tom Provo, a big man with a monster heart who was taken ill and faced a journey forced upon him, only to recently step out the other side, recovery.
We love you Prrrrrrrrrrrroovoo!
I am also always keeping in mind my personal inspirational cancer survivor Beth McHugh, as well as thoughts of my friends Mary Kraft and Heidi Spiegel who were not so fortunate and were sadly lost to all who love them. How are you my father in law Tom Murphy, this is not a paragraph I want to keep adding to, but the more you think the more often it hits home.
I'll end here for now.
Sincerely,
Eric Scharmer
