Friends and Family -

Last year on PMC weekend I pedaled zero miles and took several naps on the couch. (I gave birth to Hypes three days later -- picture in gallergy comparing this year to last). But this year, no such excuse!! Damn.

I'll be back on a bike for all 190 miles between Sturbridge and Provincetown on August 2nd and 3rd in order to raise as much money as possible for cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

If you have chosen to support cancer research in the past, I'd like to say thank you. A few notes about why this year is just as (or more) important for us all to do what we can:

• Cancer incidence is rising in the US - especially and alarmingly for some cancer types in age groups <50
• However, overall, cancer mortality is down due to improving treatment options (thanks to, of course, research)
• Technology has greatly accelerated the rate at which research can lead to clinical trials that lead to new and improved standards of care. This means a dollar donated this year might directly improve a patient's outcome just 2-3 years from today
• More than 50% of all FDA-approved cancer drugs between 2018-2022 originated from research at Dana Farber -- this is a hospital in Boston, but it's impact is global
• 100% of rider-raised dollars go directly to Dana Farber

None of us lacks personal reasons to ride or donate. Mine will be powering me through any especially steep hills or sub-optimal weather conditions. In the scheme of things, those things are easy and I'm grateful to be able to struggle up a few hills in order to be a small part of this great event.

Thank you for your continued generosity as we work together against a terrible foe. The mission of the PMC is to defeat cancer. I believe this is possible.

You may make a donation directly on this page or via check made payable to the Pan-Mass Challenge (please include my donor ID (HH0041) in the memo field). Checks can be mailed to: The PMC, 77 4th Avenue, Needham, MA 02494.

My heartfelt thanks,

Hannah