On the weekend of August 3-4 I will be riding in the 44th Pan Mass Challenge. This is a “bike-a-thon” starting in Sturbridge, MA and traveling 195 miles to Provincetown, MA. This will be my 17th year participating on Team Paul’s Posse.
In October 2006 through sheer coincidence, Paul Schaye, my partner, was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer called “GIST”, or Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor; stage IV stomach cancer that had spread to his liver. Numerous calls, appointments, and questions later, he started treatment under the care of Dr. George Demetri, Director, Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Center. Though Paul has had numerous surgeries and the last few years have certainly been difficult as he struggles with chronic pain issues, his cancer has not recurred. This will be Paul’s 26th year participating in the PMC and his 18th year as a cancer patient who currently and thankfully shows NED (No Evidence of Disease).
This year, I am also riding in honor of our teammate Tony Howell. Tony has been a member of Team Paul’s Posse for more than 17 years and was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of throat cancer. He is currently undergoing treatment, and while the prospects are good, the struggles, pain, heartache, and uncertainty are still very much present.
Team Paul’s Posse is a group of 31 riders this year - who have all been touched by cancer. The years pass, and sadly the reasons for riding increase. But our goal remains the same: to raise money for cancer research and to ultimately eradicate all cancers.
Please watch this video for a sense of the event and the cause.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS50m7w8F-E
- I ride so that more people afflicted with cancer can have the same positive results.
- I ride hoping through research and discovery, people are given choices and alternate pathways to explore.
- I ride because “nothing more could be done” is simply unacceptable.
The Pan-Mass Challenge donates 100% - every last penny of every dollar raised by riders directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Center. The event has raised >$1,000,000,000 for adult and pediatric cancer care and research since 1980. In 2023 the event had > 6,000 participants and raised a record $72,000,000!!! 2024 will hopefully set another record.
I would be so grateful and appreciative if you would consider making a donation to this event. All money raised by Team Paul’s Posse will go directly to Sarcoma research under the direction of Dr. George Demetri who will also be riding on our team.
EVERY dollar counts; EVERY dollar makes a difference; and EVERY dollar yields ever increasing possibility!
Thank you so much for your support.
Ever Gratefully,
Gretchen
Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a click-able link, you can visit the web
http://profile.pmc.org/GP0055
