This year I will be riding in honor and support of my sister Shannon. Shannon recently completed her last chemotherapy treatment for follicular lymphoma. Shannon took on her battle with cancer head-on, and she refused to let cancer slow her down. She continued teaching her second graders throughout her treatments, and more remarkably, she never stopped her caring for and raising her two young daughters, Gabriela and Natalia as well as her husband, Angelo. Her journey was never easy, and although she is done with treatments, she is still in the process of recovering. Not once during her treatments did she let cancer get the best of her. Her strength, positive outlook, and resilience is truly an inspiration to all who know her. It is her strength that I am using to fuel my ride this year.

I am again honored to be riding in the the PMC as part of Evan's Crew. Evan T. Mandeville was an 11 year old boy who lost his battle with a rare pediatric brain tumor called DIPG in November of 2012. Evan's family and friends formed a team to ride in honor of this special boy. Although I never had the chance to meet Evan, I am inspired by his family and friends. I have also seen firsthand how devastating cancer can be. I have lost aunts, uncles, and a grandparent all to cancer. The deepest loss to cancer was that of my lifelong best friend, Marc Mandeville. I am also riding in support of all of those who have survived cancer, such as my uncle John, as well as those who are fighting cancer.

My goal this year is to raise $6000 for cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Research Institute. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to cancer research. As a result of this fundraising initiative, hopefully a breakthrough is close at hand. Please consider donating to my ride and Team Evan’s Crew.

One of the most devastating phrases that I have ever heard is “they fought hard to the end.” I ride so that someday I will not have to hear that phrase and that people will not have to fight this disease any longer.