Hello family and friends!

After many years of watching the bikers go by my family's house in Wellfleet, I am finally going to ride my first PMC from Bourne to Provincetown on August 3, 2025. As many of you know, my dear friend, Maria Moscandrew, passed away in December after a six year battle with ovarian cancer. It is difficult to put into words who she was and what she meant to those of us who knew her well. I ride in honor of her memory, for her beautiful family, and her close friends who share this heartbreaking loss.

I have joined Team Ovarian Cancer in my quest to do this. This team is a group of amazing individuals, among them survivors and those who have lost or supported someone through this terrible diagnosis.

Team Ovarian Cancer funds Dream Factory Community Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Maria was a patient here for over a year, participating in a trial that kept her cancer at bay and also allowed me to see her frequently (the silver lining we were both always grateful for). Being a physician herself, her standards for care were high, yet she had faith in her team at DFCI. Team Ovarian Cancer is committed to raising money to support Dana Farber’s efforts to find a cure for this devasting disease.

For those who do not know me well, I am not an athlete (neither was Maria!). However, when I look back on all she went through, I am humbled and determined to complete the ride. Her memory is eternal, and I am blessed to have had such an incredible friend. She is dearly missed.

I also ride in memory of three individuals whose lives and deaths had an impact on me, all of whom left this earth too soon due to uncurable cancers - Dr. Steven Kopits, Dr. Susan Deak and my childhood friend, Jessica Freeman Smith.

Please consider donating to this very worthwhile cause. I am grateful for your support!

Hugs and many thanks,

Ilona