Dear friends,

This past summer, as I found myself driving down to Mass Maritime at 6 am to volunteer for the first time for the Pan-Mass Challenge, I never realized how much of an unforgettable experience this was going to become for me. I became hooked right away, and there was the thought in the back of my mind the entire time about how next summer I would be committed to not volunteering but riding for this amazing cause. Volunteering that Saturday was unlike anything I had experienced before – the sense of camaraderie, the feeling of hope, and the joy out of all of the volunteers and riders I interacted with as everyone worked together towards eradicating cancer. As I unloaded bag after bag and handed out water bottles to the finishers, I interacted and shared stories with hundreds of riders and volunteers about how cancer has touched their lives. The weekend was filled with emotion – happiness, hope, sadness, and inspiration. It was a weekend I know I will never forget and one that I want to experience every summer going forward.

That day, I realized that the PMC was unlike anything else; it was something truly special, and from then on, I had to be a part of it. After the two days I spent witnessing the PMC, I knew I would be committed to riding it this summer. So I will ride my first 170 miles from Wellesley to Ptown this August alongside my dad and team Marshfield Rams Cancer.

This summer, I will be riding in honor of my aunt, who is currently battling colon cancer. I also ride for my grandfather, who battled cancer, and my uncles, who have battled cancer, as well as all of the other family and friends who have been affected by this horrible disease. I ride to get rid of this disease and help one day find a cure. I am riding because cancer affects all of us, and this is a small part that I can do to help. Each training ride leading up to August and when I get on my bike for the PMC, I will have all the people who are fighting, who have fought, and who lost their fight to cancer in my head as my constant motivation for riding.

For those of you who didn't know, the Pan Mass Challenge is an incredible organization. Founded in 1980, the PMC is the largest athletic fundraising event in the nation, and 100% of rider-raised funds go directly to cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber. I am reaching out to ask you to please consider donating to my ride to help me reach my fundraising goal of $6,000. You can donate directly to my PMC profile page - https://donate.pmc.org/GR0123 or by sending me a check to 620 Holly Road Marshfield, MA 02050. Thank you for your support in advance.

With much love and gratitude,

Gabby