This past Sunday I completed the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), a bike-a-thon that raises money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), a world leader in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research. This year marked my fifth PMC. Although it was the longest route I have done so far, the weather cooperated, I had great riding partners, and it was the most relaxing and rewarding ride yet. My two day route, starting in Sturbridge and ending in Provincetown, tallied 188 miles. I am always moved by the the stories you hear from other riders, the incredible volunteers, and the voices of so many cheering us on for such an important cause.
My first PMC was in 2018. I started cycling that year when running for exercise was no longer an option due to chronic knee issues. I was encouraged to ride the PMC by some of my work colleagues, and I felt compelled to do so given the impact that cancer has had on so many family members, friends, and colleagues.
My mom lost her sister to cancer at a very early age. My father passed away in 2020. Although he did not lose his life to cancer, he did battle colon and bladder cancer and he lost a brother and sister to cancer. Many of my closest friends have lost loved ones due to cancer and one of my former colleagues at Thermo Fisher is currently fighting a rare form of cancer right now. Unfortunately, my story for how cancer has impacted the lives of family, friends and colleagues is not uncommon.
Fortunately, due to the extraordinary work done by DFCI and so many other research institutes, clinics, and hospitals, the fight against cancer has never been stronger. I saw this firsthand during my career with Thermo Fisher Scientific, a leading provider of life science and diagnostic tools. I have visited with researchers at the DFCI and many other institutes and have seen the quality of their research and the positive impact it is having on new therapies to treat and eliminate cancer. A dollar invested in cancer research has never produced such significant returns. That's why I am a proud supporter of the PMC and why I donate to the DFCI every year.
Because every dollar makes a difference, please consider making a donation as well to support DFCI's life-saving work. Thanks in advance for your donation and, more importantly, the positive impact that your contribution will have on the fight against cancer.
