Cancer first changed our lives in 2004 when my wife, Kristen, was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue sarcoma called hemangiopericytoma. Over the next 11 years, Kristen personified courage, grace, and inspiration to everyone she met and who was a part of her life. It is impossible to overstate how much the way she dealt with her disease impacted all of us - to live it day in and day out with her was alternately the most difficult thing I have ever done and something that made me a fundamentally better person. Losing her in 2015 was devastating - she will always be my inspiration for what she gave to our family even in the face of what she was facing.
This is my 14rh year riding the PMC. Each of the last 13 years have been truly memorable and I have scenes from each year that will stay with me the rest of my life. The first year it was a young man standing on a bridge in Orleans with a sign saying simply 'Thank you from a 2-time survivor'. The second year, a Mom holding a poster board with a cutout in it so her daughter could put her head through with an arrow pointing down to her saying 'I'm beating cancer!'. My third year, two Dads riding in memory of their daughters who met and became fast friends during their chemo treatments. My fourth year, thousands of people who came out in the pouring rain and cold, not because they had to, but because it was important to them. My fifth year, not being able to actually ride but keeping in touch with my brother-in-law, Joe, who carried the torch for our Team. My 6th year, riding with 10 family members and lifelong friends as we celebrated a life that touched all of us as Team KristenStrong. My 7th year, it was our 'Flyin Hawaiian', team member Greg Corson, who wore the favorite shirt of his best friend who had lost his own battle with cancer just before our ride. Greg certainly brightened a rainy day with his shirt, but probably didn't realize the drag that it would cause over 110 miles!! My 8th year it was the joy of riding with my oldest daughter, Caroline, as she tackled her first PMC and knowing we will get Emma in a few years. My 9th year it was the determination and grit Caroline showed as she tried to complete her ride despite a raging case of bronchitis. Watching our good friend Paul ride by her side, encouraging her to make it as far as she did, truly touched me. My 10th year was sidelined by Covid but my 11th year our teammate Terri, just recovered from her latest bout with lung cancer, blew us away with her strength and positive spirit. Last year it was the double whammy of 90s temps and humidity - thankfully just as Joe and I were wondering if we would make it, the Boston Harbor Hotel riders came and we shamelessly drafted them for 25 miles to make it to MMA on that sweltering Saturday.
Last year, our 13th, was memorable for sure. My wife, Kim, crushed it as a rookie and it was special riding with her. This year I am joined by our newest rookie and my wife, Kim, and I am overjoyed to be riding with her!
The will and sense of purpose everyone in the PMC - riders, survivors, volunteers, and spectators - has is amazing. It is a reminder to me that while cancer affects so many, nothing can hold us down if we don’t let it. I ride in memory of my Kristen, in memory of my mom who beat cancer more than a decade ago, in honor of Kristen's mom, Eileen, who is winning her battle with breast cancer, and all of those who are dealing with this terrible disease every day.
