Middle school is not the easiest time for anyone, definely not for me. In the middle of sixth grade, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily, her cancer was stage one when she was diagnosed and she had access to the best cancer treatment centers in the world: Dana Farber and MGH. After eight months of treatment, my mom rang the bell and was finally cancer free. Ten months later, my mom rode her first PMC. I am incredibly fortuante that, thanks to the PMC, I get to ride the PMC with my mom as well as for her.

Almost a exactly a year after my mom's diagnosis, my dad was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. From the beginning, it was made clear to my siblings and I that my dad did not have a good prognosis. Our only source of hope came from Dana Farber. My dad was able to recieve the best treatment possible at Dana Farber, treatment that was undoubtedly at least partially funded by the PMC. Despite this world class care, after eight months of treatment, my dad passed away. Pancreatic cancer isn't always fatal, but stage four almost always is.

The funds I raise go directly to a lab working to improve early detection of pancreatic cancer. Right now, pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers because it is so hard to catch. By increasing the ability of doctors to diagnose pancreatic cancer in its early stages, pancreatic cancer will become increasingly survivable. I ride the PMC for my dad, who loved few things more than riding bikes with us, usually up as many hills as possible. I ride the PMC so someone else gets to ride the PMC with their dad, rather than for him.

I am excited to ride my seventh PMC this year and would greatly appreciate any donations or moral support! Thank you for supporting my ride!